Jim Beam [14 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2009 races:
Daytona - 2/15
California - 2/22
Las Vegas - 3/1
Atlanta - 3/8 [added]
Texas - 4/5
Talladega - 4/26
All-Star, Charlotte - 5/16 - Operation Homefront
Charlotte - 5/24 - Operation Homefront
Michigan - 6/14 - Red Stag/Kid Rock
Chicago - 7/11
Atlanta - 9/6
Richmond - 9/12
Phoenix - 11/15
Homestead - 11/22
SPOT was the sponsor at the following 2009 race:
Bristol - 3/22
No sponsor ran at the following 2009 races:
Martinsville - 3/29
New Hampshire - 6/28
MAPEI [? races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2009 races:
Phoenix - 4/18
Daytona - 7/4
Energizer Batteries ran at the following races:
Richmond - 5/2
Quaker State Oil ran at the following races:
Darlington - 5/9
Richmond Water Heaters ran at the following races:
Dover - 5/31
Pittsburgh Paints ran at the following races:
Pocono - 6/8
Jim Beam / Menard's shared opposite sites at the following races:
Infineon - 6/21
- MAPEI on the #7 at Daytona: MAPEI, a leading manufacturer in the floor-covering industry, returns as the primary sponsor of Gordon's No. 7 Camry in this weekend's 400-mile race.(RGM PR)(7-2-2009)
- Robby drops appeal of penalty: #7 Driver/owner Robby Gordon says he has opted not to appeal the 50-point penalty levied against his Robby Gordon Motorsports team May 27 for having exceeded the maximum specified toe of plus or minus 1 degree during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Spedway. Gordon was penalized 50 owner and 50 driver points, while crew chief Kirk Almquist was fined $50,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. The driver/owner said he was going to appeal but has changed his mind and opted not to go through the NASCAR appeals process. “I’m not going to appeal,” Gordon said Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when asked whether he had had his appeal prior to getting in his car for practice.(SceneDaily)(6-26-2009)
- Jones to run 2nd RGM car at Infineon: the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway entry list now shows P.J. Jones in a 2nd Robby Gordon Motorsports car, the #04 Jim Beam / Meanrd's Toyota. See my Infineon Raceway Entry List for more.(6-18-2009)
- Robby wins Baja 500 UPDATE 3 Gordon responds to penalties: haven't seen much yet, but Robby Gordon won the Baja 500 in the #77 Chevy Trophy Truck per PlanetRobby.com. Gordon missed practicing the #7 Pittsburgh Paints Toyota at Pocono Raceway Saturday to run the Baja 500. Travis Kvapil practiced the car for Gordon, who will run the Pocono 500 on Sunday.(6-7-2009)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon and his #77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires team continued their dominance of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series season by winning the coveted Baja 500 title on Saturday. Gordon continues to lead the 2009 points standing and set the pace for the rest of the competitors this season. In the three races ran this season, Gordon holds two victories and a second place finish. Further, Saturday’s Baja 500 win marks the renowned off-road racer’s fifth class win and fourth overall victory. Gordon started the 432.51-mile race from the sixth position, but quickly moved his way up through the field and set the race pace for most of the day. He was able to finish the grueling course in eight hours, 35 minutes and 49 seconds, averaging roughly 50 miles per hour in the #77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires trophy truck. Gordon won by over a four minute margin to second place finisher, B.J. Baldwin. Immediately following his ninth career race win in the SCORE Trophy-Truck division, Gordon, also a NASCAR veteran, headed towards Pocono Raceway for the Sprint Cup Series, where he finished 31st.(RGM)(6-8-2009)
UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon was moved from the winning spot to 7th early today as SCORE International handed out penalties from last weekend’s 432-mile race. The “black box” tracking information needed to be examined in order to verify that Gordon didn’t violate the Mexico highway speed limits and deviate from the racecourse. It has been revealed the Robby Gordon was not penalized for course deviation, but was assessed a 10 minute penalty for exceeding the maximum allowed speed of 60 mph while traveling on the highway and Gordon was assessed a 90-minute penalty for the fueling violation.(DirtNewz.com) and see official results at score-international.com now show Robby Gordon in 7th and niot winning the Baja 500.(6-11-2009)
UPDATE 2: A statement from Robby Gordon Motorsports: "We are deeply disappointed with SCORE’s decision and reject their claims in the strongest possible terms. We plan an immediate appeal of this unjust decision. First, SCORE assessed a speeding penalty because it claimed that there was no IRC data between kilometer 77 and kilometer 78. The IRC device on our vehicle worked properly during all other sections of the race course, and Steve Myers from IRC has no explanation why no IRC data exists from that section alone. Our race team has footage of the entire race, and the video proves that we were not speeding during the section in question. Further, the #77 Trophy Truck has a speed control device connected to the engine management system that does not allow it to exceed 60 MPH. The pit violations claims are equally invalid.", see the full release and more details on Robby's web site.(RGM PR)(6-12-2009)
- Jim Bean and Robby Gordon honored: The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) awarded the NADCP Ambassador Award to Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., the leading American spirits company and industry leader in the battle against hardcore drunk driving. #7-Robby Gordon was also honored with an Ambassador Award for his continued support of DWI Courts. Beam Global and Robby Gordon have partnered with NCDC since 2007 to bring national attention to the effectiveness of DWI Courts in addressing hardcore drunk driving. Beam Global and Robby Gordon received the award at the NADCP 15th Annual Training Conference held in Anaheim, California. The NADCP Ambassador Award is given to public figures who have used their celebrity or public position to raise awareness about Drug Courts or DWI Courts. Martin Sheen will also receive a 2009 NADCP Ambassador Award.(Welt Online)(6-12-2009)
- The #7 “Rocks” in Michigan: The #7 Jim Beam Team of Robby will host Kid Rock along with featuring a special Red Stag by Jim Beam/ Kid Rock paint scheme for the upcoming LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. This coincides with the recent announcement of Red Stag by Jim Beam’s partnership with multi-platinum superstar, Kid Rock, as a headline sponsor of Kid Rock’s 2009 Rock N’ Rebels Tour, which will hit 25 cities across North America this Summer. Kid Rock will kick off the Red Stag by Jim Beam partnership on June 14, when the Detroit native will serve as Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 race at Michigan International Speedway. Fifty cents from every ticket sold for Kid Rock's upcoming concert tour will be donated to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to America's military veterans returning home to their families. Through their support of Operation Homefront, Red Stag and Kid Rock will help fund emergency aid, moving assistance, computer programs and care packages in local chapters throughout the country. Red Stag, an all-new cherry-infused offspring of the world’s No. 1 selling bourbon is scheduled to launch in June and is the latest innovation from Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc.(RGM), see an image of the scheme on my #7 Team Schemes page.
AND Robby Gordon Motorsports has a limited number of open races during the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season including the June 21, 2009 road course race in Sonoma, CA. More info at robbygordon.com for more sponsorship information.(6-9-2009)
- Robby Gordon run Baja 500 Saturday: Leader of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series points standings and four-time Baja 500 champion, Robby Gordon returns to Ensenada, Mexico hoping to continue his dominance of the dirt in the 2009 season. Following his season-opening win in the Laughlin Desert Challenge and his second place finish in the San Felipe 250, Gordon has a 125-point lead heading into Saturday’s 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 500. On Saturday morning, Gordon and co-driver Andy Grider will climb into the #77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Chevy CK1500 for 432.51-miles of racing action. The green flag will drop for the car and truck classes at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time. The duo of Gordon and Grider roll off sixth and will race their way towards the coveted Baja 500 title in front more than 100,000 spectators. Upon completion of the race, Robby Gordon will head east to Pocono, where he will race another 500 miles in the Sprint Cup Series event. When it is all said and done, Gordon will have raced more than 950 miles.(RGM)
Kvapil in: Travis Kvapil will be practicing and qualifying the #7 Pittsburgh Paints Toyota for Gordon car on Friday and Saturday at Pocono and Gordon will race the car.(6-5-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon to appeal penalty: #7-Robby Gordon says he will appeal NASCAR penalties levied against his Robby Gordon Motorsports team May 27. Gordon was penalized 50 owner and 50 driver points while crew chief Kirk Almquist was fined $50,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Officials said the rear axle housing of the #7 Toyota, which was taken following a third-place finish by Gordon in the May 25 Coca-Cola 600, exceeded the maximum specified toe of plus or minus one degree. “The bottom line is we were no more ‘body yawed’ than anybody else,” Gordon said May 30, “even though our rear end had more toe. We ... pulled our right-side trailing arm forward and our left-side trailing arm backwards. We fit the template on the right side before the race. So we aren’t doing anything funny there; there was no advantage.”(SceneDaily)(5-31-2009) Comment here
- Robby penalized for rear axle: NASCAR has issued penalties to the #7 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rules violations committed at Lowe’s Motor Speedway earlier this week. The #7 car, driven and owned by Robby Gordon, was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4I (any determination by NASCAR Officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-10.6H (rear axle housing exceeded the maximum specified toe of plus or minus one degree) of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book. The violation was found during post-race inspection on May 25. As a result, Gordon has been penalized with the loss of 50 championship owner and 50 championship driver points. Crew chief Kirk Almquist has been fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR PR)(5-27-2009) Comment here
- Jim Beam to donate to Operation Homefront: In honor of Memorial Day, Jim Beam will salute the troops by donating $25,000 to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to U.S. Troops and their families. Additionally the #7 Jim Beam Toyota of Robby Gordon will sport a special red, silver and blue paint scheme featuring Operation Homefront during the race weeks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.(Jim Beam)(5-13-2009) Comment here
- Quaker State to sponsor Robby at Darlington: Robby Gordon Motorsports heads south to Darlington Raceway for the legendary Southern 500. Gordon will pilot his #7 Quaker State Toyota around the 1.366-mile track, which is notorious for its “too tough to tame” characteristics.(RGM), see an image of the Quaker State scheme on my #7 Team Schemes page.(5-8-2009)
- Energizer on the #7 for Robby: After a disappointing finish last weekend, the Robby Gordon Motorsports team is looking forward to the short-track racing action this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The #7 Toyota Camry will debut the Energizer colors this weekend at the ¾-mile D-shaped oval.(RGM PR)(5-1-2009)
- MAPEI to make 2009 debut for Robby: The #7 Toyota of Robby Gordon will display the familiar yellow and blue MAPEI / Menards colors for the first time this season at Phoenix International Raceway. Saturday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 will mark Gordon’s 14th start at the ultra-fast mile oval. He owns two top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and also has one win in the CART Series at PIR. “We are also excited to have MAPEI return as a primary sponsor for Robby Gordon Motorsports this year. We expect good things from this car and our team for their 2009 debut this weekend,” commented Robby Gordon.(RGM PR)(4-17-2009) Comment here
- New sponsor for Robby at Bristol: SPOT LLC (www.findmespot.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc.a leader in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications, today announced it is sponsoring Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) at this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. SPOT is the primary sponsor of Robby Gordon's #7 Toyota Camry, which will be branded in SPOT's familiar black and orange colors for the Food City 500's racing action at Bristol Motor Speedway. SPOT is the world's first Satellite GPS Messenger. The personal handheld satellite-based messaging, safety and tracking device sends the user's GPS location coordinates and select messages over a global satellite network to friends, family, co-workers or in case of an emergency, a rescue coordination center. Because SPOT uses satellite technology, it works regardless of cellular service availability from virtually anywhere around the world. Robby Gordon was an early adopter of the SPOT Satellite Messenger(tm), using its satellite and GPS technology to stay connected with his support team and his friends and family while practicing and racing off-road, often times in extreme remote areas. SPOT enables Robby to send his GPS location and selected message to his contacts so they know he is OK. SPOT also allows others to track his GPS position, updated automatically in real-time on Google Maps(tm). For a limited time fans of Robby Gordon and NASCAR can take advantage of a special promotional offer on the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. Visit www.findmespot.com/robby for complete details. Offer valid for U.S. residents only.(CNN Money), see an image of the car on the #7 Team Schemes page.(3-19-2009) Comment here
- Robby places 2nd San Felipe 250 UPDATE 2 appeal dropped: Second-generation veteran Las Vegas desert racer Brian Collins roared through the rugged trails and washes of Mexico’s Baja California desert Saturday, earning his second straight overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck victory in the #12 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram1500 at the 23rd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race. NASCAR's Robby Gordon finished 2nd in the SCORE Trophy-Truck class.(dirtnewz.com)(3-15-2009)
UPDATE: On Saturday, March 14th at the 2009 Baja 250, several top racing teams filed a formal complaint against Robby Gordon for illegally shortcutting the course approximately 4 miles in order to pass Trophy Truck competitor Ed Herbst who has signed an appeal having witnessed the action. In the most remote part of the course at race mile marker 132.5 Gordon veered off course and drove down a cliff to bypass a difficult section and pass Herbst. He was discovered by a pit crew known as the Baja Fools who had set up a pit stop in that section of the course. They had thought that Gordon was broken down on an earlier section until the radio confirmed that Gordon had finished in second place. On investigation, two sets of Toyo tire tracks were found re-entering the course at ~ mile 136. Gordon had clearly premeditated the deviation and had practiced the maneuver once before. Appeals were filed with the SCORE International race officials and they are currently investigating. Gordon may be facing possible probation.(dirtnewz.com)(3-17-2009)
UPDATE 2: on Saturday evening, a protest was heard by Score & CRB against 2nd place score trophy truck finisher Robby Gordon and a decision was rendered in favor of Robby Gordon. An appeal of this decision was submitted by a trophy truck competitor on Sunday morning and the appeal was accepted by Score. This appeal has been formally withdrawn by the competitor. As a result, the initial decision in favor of Robby Gordon will stand and the score trophy truck results are now official.score-international.com.(3-19-2009) Comment here
- Robby heads to Mexico to race dirt: #7-Robby Gordon will spend his week off from pavement racing by returning to his desert racing roots as one of 10 overall winners from the last 13 years entered in this week’s 23rd Annual Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Round 2 of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series will be held Friday through Sunday in Mexico’s quaint and picturesque fishing village of San Felipe, located on the East side of the Baja California peninsula along the azure waters of the tranquil Sea of Cortez. Gordon, who won this race in 1996 and whose only attempt here since then was a did-not-finish in 2004, will drive the #77 Team Gordon Chevy CK1500 SCORE Trophy-Truck that won January’s 2009 SCORE season-opener in Laughlin, NV. “Usually when I run a SCORE Baja race I have to commute and pull double-duty so this week will be a real treat for me as I can focus on just the desert and not the desert and all the things connected to NASCAR racing as well,” said Gordon, who has two career class wins in his limited time in San Felipe. “We came out in Laughlin in January planning to run the entire 2009 SCORE season and after winning that race we are even more enthusiastic about running the entire five-race series this year. With all of our other racing commitments, this will be the first time we have run the entire SCORE series since we won the SCORE Trophy-Truck season point championship in 1996.”(off-road.com)(3-12-2009) Comment here
- Robby helps out a solider: A couple of fans visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend hoping to get #7-Robby Gordon to sign a poster so they could send it to a solider they know who's in Iraq. Gordon not only signed it, he took the poster inside the track and had more than two dozen other drivers sign it and got it back to the fans so they could send it to the soldier.(Charlotte Observer)(3-5-2009) Comment here
- Robby gets assoc sponsor for Vegas: Jim Beam will serve as the primary sponsor of Robby Gordon's #7 Toyota for Sunday’s 285-lap event. In addition to MAPEI and Menards, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will also serve as an associate sponsor this weekend.(RGM PR)(2-27-2009)
- Robby to stop by Firehouse World Expo convention: Robby Gordon, driver of the #7 Jim Beam Toyota, is no stranger to firefighters and EMS workers; they watch over him every weekend at the races. This week, before competing in the California Sprint Cup Series race, Gordon will have an opportunity to show his appreciation when he makes a brief stop at the Firehouse World Expo convention in San Diego, Thursday, February 19. Gordon’s appearance coincides with Jim Beam’s efforts to help raise awareness for the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, an organization dedicated to assist firefighters and their families across America. Founded shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund was established in memory of Terry Farrell, a decorated member of Rescue 4/FDNY and Chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department. Farrell, along with 342 of his brothers, perished in the World Trade Center attack.(Jim Beam Racing PR), more info on the appearance on my Drivers Appearance page
- Robby, no interest in merging: The odds are long, the challenge is overwhelming for #7-Robby Gordon. And he wouldn't have it any other way. In a sport of multi-car operations and technical alliances, Gordon still prefers to go it alone in the Sprint Cup Series. While teammates compare notes and share information, Gordon prefers to rely on his own experience and guile to make his way around the track. Last year, 33 of the top 35-ranked drivers in the series were part of a multi-car operation. Gordon and Dave Blaney represented the single-car approach in 2008, and of those two, Gordon's team is the only one still in operation. Now on his fourth different manufacturer in as many years, Gordon insists his business model was built out of necessity, not stubbornness. He likes controlling his own destiny, not only inside the car but also in the front office. He likes carving his way through the business, even if contradicts the standard operating procedures of the bigger, more profitable teams. Gordon does it because that's what works best for him. "I have no interest (in merging with another team)," Gordon said. "We're trudging forward and building our race team. I think stubborn is the wrong thing. We're good business people. We're able to operate our team without going in debt and without doing it over the top without controlling it."(Augusta Chronicle)(2-12-2009)
- Robby Gordon wins in the desert: Robby Gordon takes the win in SCORE Trophy Truck in his #77 Monster Energy Toyo Tires Trophy Truck for the weekend with new driver Justin "Bean" Smith in second OVERALL for the weekend at the 15th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. Steele drove yesterday and had a few problems and finished 6th. He put Smith in the truck today for his first ever Trophy Truck race and finished 4th, only seconds behind second and third.(dirtnewz.com)(1-25-2009)
- Robby Gordon Heads West: Just days after Robby Gordon finished competing in the 2009 Dakar Rally, he is preparing to get behind the wheel of another race vehicle – his Trophy Truck. After arriving back from Argentina, the team members have been preparing the #77 Monster Energy Toyo Tires Trophy Truck for this weekend’s 15th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. The Laughlin Desert Challenge is the first of five major off-road racing events of 2009 for the SCORE International Series. The Laughlin race is truly one of the most unique formats on the SCORE schedule, due in part to the two-day race schedule and the temporary stadium that surrounds the start/finish line area and main pits. “After just completing the 31st annual Dakar Rally, racing in Laughlin this weekend is going a little challenging for our team. Since the Rally is such a long race, it takes many spare parts and pieces and much of our support equipment to compete at the highest level. We basically load up the whole shop for the Dakar Rally. Most of our equipment is just beginning its nautical journey back from Argentina, which will make this weekend’s race tough from a preparation standpoint. But, Laughlin is a short course race and the only one where fans can see the action up close. We are excited to be bringing our #77 Monster Energy Toyo Tires Trophy Truck to compete against the best teams in the US. We just finished third in the Dakar Rally, and we really want to start the SCORE season off with a win,” commented Robby Gordon on this weekend’s SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge race.(RGM PR)(1-24-2009)
- Robby to run a Dodge in Shootout: Sirius Speedway spoke to NASCAR representative Ramsey Poston today, and he confirmed that Robby Gordon is approved to run the Budweiser Shootout in a Dodge, before converting to Toyota for the remainder of Speedweek 2009. Gordon ran Dodges last season, but will campaign a Toyota in 2009. Both manufacturers have apparently signed-off on the arrangement. It is difficult to imagine why Dodge would approve of the deal, since it bumps Penske Racing’s Sam Hornish --a full-time Dodge driver in 2009 -- out of the race. The ruling also raises some potentially explosive scenearios. For instance, Chip Ganassi’s #42 car finished 25th in owners points last year, running as a Dodge. Based on Gordon's eligibility, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing could presumably build a Dodge and put Juan Pablo Montoya into the Shootout, bumping AJ Allmendinger.(Sirius Speedway)(1-17-2009) Comment here
- The Dakar Rally can be seen in the United States on the Versus Network and daily updates will be posted on RobbyGordon.com, dakar.com and planetrobby.com
TV Schedule can be found on my TV Listings page. Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Final Stage: Giniel De Villiers of South Africa won the Dakar Rally on Saturday, holding off Mark Miller of the United States and NASCAR driver Robby Gordon. De Villiers finished in 48:10:57 after driving more than 5,600 miles through Argentina, over the Andes and into Chile. He won the 14th and final stage from Cordoba to Buenos Aires in 1 hour, 35 minutes, 43 seconds in his Volkswagen. De Villiers defeated Miller, his Volkswagen teammate, by 8:59. Gordon drove a Hummer and finished 1:46:15 off the lead. De Villiers won four stages en route to his first overall title. He took the lead Thursday after Carlos Sainz of Spain withdrew after a crash. De Villiers led Miller by just over two minutes heading into the final stage. The Volkswagen win ended several years of Mitsubishi domination. Marc Coma of Spain won his second motorbike title in 52:14:33, nearly 90 minutes ahead of Cyril Despres of France. David Fretigne of France was third. The 30th Dakar Rally was held outside Africa for the first time. The 2008 race was canceled because of potential terrorist attacks in Mauritania.(ESPN/AP)(1-17-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 13: Spain's Nani Roma (Mitsubishi) won the 13th stage of the Dakar Rally on Friday as the 2009 version prepares to conclude Saturday. Roma was more than seven minutes ahead of Poland's Krzysztof Holowczyc (Nissan) and Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit (BMW) when heavy rain cut the 13th stage short. Leader Giniel De Villiers finished the stage eighth, 14 minutes off the pace, but held on to his lead inherited Thursday when leader Carlos Sainz crashed out of the race. De Villiers lead is a scant two minutes 20 seconds on Volkswagen teammate Mark Miller, who finished the stage in seventh, 15 seconds in front of De Villiers. Robby Gordon (Hummer) was 16th in Stage 13, 22 minutes 49 seconds behind Roma. Gordon remains third with one stage remaining, 1 hour and 27 minutes behind De Villiers.(NASCAR.com)(1-16-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 12: Robby Gordon finished third in the 12th stage of the Dakar Rally on Thursday, 25 minutes, 27 seconds behind winner Giniel De Villiers of South Africa, who took the overall lead with his third stage victory. Gordon also is third in the overall standings, 1:18:52 behind the leader. An American has never won the race in the event's 30-year history. De Villiers won the stage in 4:06:43. Mark Miller of the United States, who was leading at the first two checkpoints, finished second, 16:17 behind. Carlos Sainz, who had won six of the 10 stages (Wednesday's 11th stage was canceled because of heavy fog) and began Thursday's leg more than 27 minutes ahead of Miller and 41:13 ahead of De Villiers, dropped out of the race after crashing into a ravine. He was not injured, but the two-time world rally champion from Spain and his French teammate Michel Perin were taken by helicopter to Fiambala, where the stage began, Dakar Rally spokeswoman Emilie Poucan told The Associated Press. Poucan said Sainz could have continued but Perin broke "something in his arm," forcing the pair to pull out of the event. The rally covering 5,950 miles ends Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.(NASCAR.com)(1-15-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 10: Spain's two-time rally world champion Carlos Sainz further extended his overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Tuesday as he won the 10th stage around Copiapo, Chile. Sainz, who won his sixth stage of the rally and fourth in a row, beat NASCAR driver Robby Gordon by 21 seconds and finished 7min. 39sec. ahead of American Volkswagen teammate Mark Miller. Gordon said that it had been a relatively easy stage for him, although he bemoaned the lack of competition between his Hummer and the Volkswagens. "We had a good day," Gordon said. "We managed to have a problem-free stage. As soon as we are on faster trails, [the Volkswagens] shake us off. They have so much more power than we do." Tuesday's start was delayed by two-and-a-half hours due to a thick fog on the route. Even more fog is scheduled for Wednesday morning causing officials to cancel Wednesday's 11th stage. Officials do not want to delay the start as they did for the 10th stage. Spaniard Cristobal Guerrero was in a coma Tuesday after a heavy fall, organizers said. Guerrero, riding a KTM, fell at around the 160km of the 430km stage and was taken to Copiapo hospital where he underwent a brain scan.(NASCAR.com)(1-13-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 9: Carlos Sainz now leads the Dakar Rally by nearly 20 minutes following his victory on the ninth stage of the event from La Serena to Copiapo, his third consecutive stage win. The Spaniard was nearly two minutes quicker than VW team-mate Mark Miller, with Miller moving up to second place overall. NASCAR driver Robby Gordon was third, just two minutes behind Sainz. This is the third stage of the nine run that Gordon has finished third -- his highest finish in a stage this year. Gordon remains fifth in the overall standings as the top-six drivers were unchanged after Stage 9. Dutchman Frans Verhoeven won the motorbike stage while Spain's Marc Coma stayed more than one hour clear in the overall standings after finishing fourth.(NASCAR.com)(1-12-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 8: Carlos Sainz of Spain extended his overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Sunday, winning an eighth stage swept by Volkswagen drivers. Sainz drove the 183 miles from the port city of Valparaiso to La Serena, on the rim of the Atacama Desert, in 3 hours, 47 minutes, 19 seconds. Volkswagen teammate Dieter Depping was 4 minutes, 2 seconds back and Mark Miller of the United States was third, another 10 seconds back. Miller is third in the overall standings and Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon remained in fifth overall after finishing the eighth stage eighth.(NASCAR.com)(1-11-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 7: Carlos Sainz of Spain regained the overall lead of the Dakar Rally on Friday by winning a seventh stage in which Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon placed third, moving up to fifth overall. Sainz beat Volkswagen teammate Mark Miller of the United States by 3 minutes, 41 seconds to secure his third stage win of the race. Gordon was third in his Hummer, 4:13 back after the ride from the Argentine city of Mendoza to Santiago, Chile's second largest city.(NASCAR.com)(1-9-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 6: Qatari Nasser al-Attiyah won the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally on Thursday to increase his overall lead. However he could face a time penalty after a review of whether al-Attiyah went through all the control points on a shortened 178-kilometer stage between San Rafael and Mendoza in Argentina. Al-Attiyah posted a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes to finish ahead 5:07 ahead of Giniel de Villiers of South Africa. Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon finished Stage 6 in 2 hours, 44 minutes, ninth-best. He remained seventh overall, 1 hour, 19 minutes behind Al-Attiyah.(NASCAR.com)(1-8-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 5: South African Giniel de Villiers scored his first stage win of the 2009 Dakar Rally and moved into second place overall after Stage 5 on Wednesday. In the longest special of the rally so far -- 506 kilometers from Neuquen to San Rafael in Chile -- de Villiers mastered the sand dunes to reach the finish line in 5 hours, 47 minutes. Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon finished third and moved to seventh overall, 41 minutes, 48 seconds behind Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah. Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who led the rally entering Stage 5, lost more than 15 minutes after steering problems hampered his driving. He dropped to third place overall. Al-Attiyah, who won Stages 1 and 3, now leads de Villiers by 2 minutes, 24 seconds in the overall standings. After 14 stages covering the 9,574-kilometer (5,950-mile) circuit, the race will finish on Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires. Thursday's route is a 395-kilometer drive from San Rafael to Mendoza.
Missing French motorcyclist Pascal Terry has been found dead, race organizers said on Wednesday. A statement on the race's official Web site said the announcement of Terry's death was made with "great sadness." It is the first fatality on this year's Dakar Rally, which has relocated to Argentina and Chile for its 31st edition. Terry, 49, had gone missing during the second stage on Sunday between Santa Rosa and Puerto Madrid. He was finally located in the early hours of Wednesday morning as the drivers and motorbikes prepared for the fifth leg from Neuquen to San Rafael. Terry, who was competing in the grueling rally for the first time, was found in dense vegetation, 15 meters from his bike. He had taken his helmet off and had sought shade, but had food and water with him. Local police are to carry out an investigation into the cause of his death.(NASCAR.com)(1-7-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 4: Spaniards dominated the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday as Carlos Sainz beat Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar by six seconds and Marc Coma again won the motorbike stage. Sainz, who also won the rally's second stage, finished the 459-kilometer (285-mile) ride in 3 hours, 42 minutes, 57 minutes in his Volkswagen -- six seconds ahead of Al Attiyah, who won the first and third stages through Argentina and Chile. Al Attiyah in his BMW beat Sainz by 35 seconds in the third stage, but the Argentine leads overall and is 3:46 ahead of Al Attiyah. Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon remains in ninth place, 46:45 behind Sainz. Mark Miller from the United States was fourth, 4:20 behind his Volkswagen teammate, Sainz. Argentine dust rather than African sand has been an added obstacle on the terrain. A persistent drought has turned massive amounts of Argentina's soil to dust, forcing drivers to navigate through clouds of brown dirt. Cars, trucks and motorbikes have often disappeared behind dust, spraying thousands of fans who have gathered to watch along the route, now passing through isolated towns and villages in southern Argentina. The 30th edition of the classic rally started from Buenos Aires on Friday with 177 cars, 217 motorcycles, 81 trucks and 25 quad bikes and features drivers from 49 countries. After 14 stages covering the 9,574-kilometer (5,950-mile) circuit, it will finish on Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires. Wednesday's route is a 506-kilometer (314-mile) drive from Neuquen to San Rafael.(NASCAR.com)(1-6-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 3: Spanish driver and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz won Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Monday and now holds the overall lead by 5 minutes, 45 seconds over South African Giniel De Villiers. The third stage was 551 kilometers, from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci. Sprint Cup driver Robby Gordon finished 10th and moved up to ninth overall, 34 minutes, 32 seconds behind. Sainz, just as on Sunday, bested De Villiers on Monday by 3 minutes, 26 seconds. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel finished third, 4 minutes, 56 seconds behind. Stage 4 on Tuesday will be from Jacobacci to Neuquen, a distance of 459 kilometers. The 2009 Dakar Rally was switched this year from Africa to Argentina and Chile because of security fears. It features 540 competitors from 50 countries and covers 9,000 kilometres over 13 stages -- three in Chile and 10 in Argentina -- with the finish scheduled for Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.(NASCAR.com)(1-5-2009) Comment here
- Robby Gordon - Dakar Rally - Stage 2: Robby Gordon finished 10th in Sunday’s second stage at the Dakar Rally in Argentina to move up to 10th overall. Gordon completed the Santa Rosa de la Pampa-to-Puerto Madryn stage in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 38 seconds. He is 21:32 behind leader Carlos Sainz of Spain. The third of 15 stages is slated for Monday, from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci, a 551-kilimoter race.(SceneDaily)(1-4-2009)
- Team Dakar USA and Gordon stage 1: Hundreds of thousands of people overwhelmed the capital of Argentina on Friday to see the vehicles competing in the first Dakar Rally in South America. Rally organizers expected 500,000 to cram the parade route past the Obelisk in Plaza de Republica and along Avenida 9 de Julio, said to be the world's widest avenue. The vehicles headed to a park in Palermo, where the rally will officially begin Saturday with a 456-mile stage south to Santa Rosa in the Pampas. The 30th Dakar Rally -- and the first outside Africa -- features 177 cars, 217 motorcycles, 81 trucks and 25 quad bikes with drivers from 49 countries. After 14 stages and 5,950 miles, it will finish on Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires. Sprint Cup Series driver #7-Robby Gordon finished 17th in Saturday's opening stage. Driving the Team Dakar USA Hummer, Gordon completed the opening stage in 2 hours, 50 minutes and 40 seconds. He is 14 minutes, 25 seconds behind the leader, Nasseer al-Attiyah. Carlos Sainz is second, 2 minutes, 17 seconds behind. Sainz was followed within two minutes by Volkswagen teammates Giniel de Villiers of South Africa and Mark Miller of the United States. BMW's Guerlain Chicherit was fastest through the third checkpoint but rolled his car onto its roof after 172 miles and it was uncertain if he would continue. Hiroshi Masuoka, a two-time Dakar winner, had engine problems in his Mitsubish. He was towed to the finish and nearly eight hours off the pace. Sunday's second stage continues south for 147 miles to Puerto Madryn on the coast. After crossing the Pampas, the rally heads into Patagonia, arrives at the Andes next Thursday, drives into Chile the following day, cruises alongside the Pacific for five days -- including a loop in the Atacama Desert -- and then heads back to the start.(NASCAR.com/AP)(1-4-2009)
- Team Dakar USA clears scrutineering: After months of preparation for what many consider to be the toughest motorsports event on earth, Team Dakar USA completes scrutineering. Scrutineering consists of several hours of activities that include document processing, a GPS instruction class, photos, Iritrack and Tripy installation, and vehicle technical inspection. Both the Monster Energy Toyo Tires Hummer and Vanguard Hummer have drawn crowds everywhere they go. They have quickly become a fan favorite in Buenos Aires. “I’m very excited to be here,” said Robby Gordon. “The response to the Hummers has been incredible. Everyone on the team has worked hard to get all the vehicles ready and we feel we are very well prepared. To conclude preparations, Team Dakar USA is going through all of the support vehicles to make sure the final details are met. All spare parts, tires, tools and other equipment need to be accounted for. The assistance vehicles and equipment are a vital component in the Rally. Driver of the Vanguard Hummer, Eric Vigouroux is also thrilled to take part of this historic race. “It is a great opportunity for me and my co driver, Alex to take part in this edition of the Dakar Rally with a professional team like Team Dakar USA,” stated Vigouroux. The first of 15 stages starts tomorrow Saturday the 3rd in Buenos Aires and travels to Santa Rosa de la Pampa. The stage consists of a total of 733 rolling km and the special has a total of 371km of racing.(1-3-2009)
- Robby and Team Dakar news: Team Dakar USA and Sprint Cup driver [#7 Jim Beam/Menards Toyota] Robby Gordon are in Buenos Aires Argentina to challenge the world’s most demanding sixteen day off-road race. Team Dakar USA’s objectives are to win the rally, highlight American innovation, determination and pride. The 2009 Dakar Rally covers over 6,000 miles (10000km) of punishing off road terrain. In preparation for the rally, Gordon’s crew spent countless hours prepping the two Hummer H3 race vehicles and support vehicles. Team Dakar USA’s support vehicles consist of a Mercedes Benz 6X6, Mercedes 4X4, MAN 4X4 race truck and two Hummer H1’s. One Hummer will act as an assistance vehicle while a second Hummer H1 will focus in media relations. A third race vehicle will enter in the truck class to aid Gordon and Vigoroux in case of any assistance needed. The MAN race truck is driven by “Turbo” Tom Gevis, it has the vitals to repair the vehicles on the course. The ASO does not allow vehicle assistance during special stages unless that vehicle is entered in the rally. Team Dakar USA has twenty four dedicated individuals that form the roster. Most of the team members are familiar faces in off-road motorsports. They have endured years of racing experience in Dakar, Baja, and Central Europe. In the Dakar Rally that can be the determining factor between winning or even finishing a rally like this. An exciting addition to the 2009 Team is driver Eric Vigoroux and his co pilot Alexandre Winocq. “We are excited to have Eric and Alex on our team, Eric is fast and has finished Dakar Rally’s before. His experience will be an added asset to our team, ”said Gordon.
Gordon, will make his fifth appearance in the Dakar Rally in 2009. A three-time Dakar stage winner, two time Central Europe Rally Special winner is the only American to do so. Gordon has been competing in off-road endurance races since the early 1980’s. Himself a three-time winner of the esteemed Baja 1000 along with numerous other victories within North American borders, Gordon is attempting to be the first American to win the overall victory of the coveted Dakar Rally. The 2009 Dakar Rally, which takes place between the 3rd and 18th of January, is scheduled to be broadcast in 189 countries. Versus will carry the TV coverage for the USA.(RGM PRs)(1-2-2009)
- Robby Gordon to Toyota? UPDATE 2: hearing Robby Gordon Motorsports will switch from Dodge to Toyota. No word if they will be aligned with another Toyota team.(12-11-2008)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon Motorsports announced that they will partner with Toyota beginning in the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season for the #7, which is guaranteed a spot in the season opener Daytona 500. “We are excited to be partnering with Toyota in NASCAR in 2009. After watching their progress last season, we decided that a switch to Toyota was the right package for our team,” commented Robby Gordon, owner of Robby Gordon Motorsports. “We are confident that fielding a Toyota Camry will add to the success of our organization and the competitiveness of our performance on the race track.”
“I’ve known Robby as a driver, team owner and fierce competitor since 1990,” said Lee White, President of TRD, U.S.A. “We’ve raced together in Off-Road, IMSA, SCCA and Indy Car and have shared many memorable challenges and victories. It will be exciting to see how the association between Robby, his team, Toyota and TRD will develop in 2009. I promise you that it will not be boring to watch.” Toyota's first involvement with Robby Gordon dates back to 1989 when he became the youngest grand national sport truck driver to win a championship in a TRD-powered Toyota truck.(RGM PR)(12-16-2008)
UPDATE 2: Les Ungar, Toyota’s National Motorsports Manager told Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway Tuesday that
Robby Gordon will be welcomed into the Toyota camp, and will receive the same technical support and information as the manufacturer’s other teams. “Robby will be reimbursing us for the engines he receives, and he will receive technical support from Toyota Racing Development the same as everyone else,” he said.” “Like any manufacturer, we are obligated by NASCAR to step up and make the parts and pieces available as part of our agreement to be active in this sport.”(Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway)(12-17-2008) Comment here
- Jim Beam re-ups with RGM for 13 races: Jim Beam Bourbon announced that it will continue its partnership with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the #7 driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon during the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. “With so many teams merging or taking on investors, Robby Gordon represents a one-of-a-kind driver and owner in NASCAR’s top racing series. His tenacity and commitment shows he has the competitive spirit, that our customers value and respect,” said Brian Gallagher, Motorsports Marketing Manager, Jim Beam. “We are proud to continue our support of Robby and his race team as they demonstrate true character and achieve success on the track.” Jim Beam will be the primary sponsor for 13 Sprint Cup Series races in 2009, and will serve as an associate sponsor for the remaining events. The deal marks the company’s fifth year of partnership with RGM, a relationship that began when Gordon created the team in 2005. “Jim Beam has been with me since the beginning,” said Gordon. “To have them back with us for a fifth straight year is exciting and a credit to everyone here at RGM. It’s challenging being one of the few single-car teams remaining and yet, we have shown we can still be competitive. With Jim Beam’s continued support for the No. 7 team, we can focus on improving our race program and build our way towards a successful 2009 season.”
Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship to reach race fans both on and off the track through a variety of racing related promotions, including the second annual Beam Bash, a concert featuring Grammy-nominated country music duo, Montgomery Gentry, scheduled to take place prior to the Daytona race weekend. Gordon will also support and serve as spokesperson for Beam Global Spirits & Wine reminding legal age consumers to drink responsibly throughout the year. Through its drink smart® responsibility platform, Beam Global educates consumers on how to make responsible decisions about alcohol and reminds them of these six basic principles: Respect Others, Obey the Law, Take Responsibility, Drink in Moderation, Be a Responsible Host and Drive Safe.
Robby Gordon finished the 2008 season in the top-35, which guarantees the #7 a starting spot in the first five races of the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. The team scored three top-10 and seven top-20 finishes and displayed a solid performance at the superspeedway events, finishing second in restrictor-plate points.(GMR Marketing/Jim Beam Racing PR), no mention of Dodge or Toyota in the PR (12-13-2008) Comment here
- Robby Gordon Gears Up for Baja UPDATE: Robby Gordon left this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series finale in Homestead and headed straight for Ensenada, Mexico to compete in the 41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, one of the most grueling off-road races in the world. Gordon, a three-time overall winner, hopes to pilot his #77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Chevy CK 1500 to his fourth victory when the race commences on Friday, November 21st. The Baja 1000 is the world’s longest non-stop and most famous desert race. This year’s race will be a challenging 631.35-mile journey around the northern Baja California peninsula, beginning and ending in Ensenada. It will be trying even to the most skilled racers as they weave their way over rocky desert landscape and mountain terrain. For a map of this year’s loop course, visit score-international.com.
When asked about this year’s event, Gordon commented, “This year’s course is very technical, very rough and very fast, which plays right into our team’s strengths. The team has done a good job building up the reliability in our Monster Energy / Toyo Tires / 4Wheel Parts trophy truck. We’ve been in Mexico pre-running the course over the past few weeks. Having covered the course twice, I feel very confident of our chances. With the assistance of both our Off-road and NASCAR team personnel, we have a really good support staff in place. Everyone is well informed on our race strategy and goals for this week. If all goes according to plan, we should bring home our fourth overall Baja 1000 victory.”
Pre-race activities started on Wednesday, November 19th. As a prelude to the 41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Gordon will participate in a media conference on Thursday at 11:30am along with other notable drivers and celebrities. Later that evening, he and his #77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires trophy truck will appear that the AM PM store across from the navy base in downtown Ensenada from 5 to 6pm. The pre-race driver/rider briefing will be held Thursday at 7pm. The green flag will drop for the car and truck classes at approximately 10:30am on Friday. All starters will have a 31-hour time limit to finish the legendary race. Over 300,000 spectators are expected to line this year’s course to watch over 375 entries from around the world compete in the historic race. Live internet coverage will be available at www.2008SCOREBaja1000.com with a special one-hour NBC Sports special scheduled to be televised at 1pm/et on Sunday, December 14th.(RGM PR)(11-20-2008)
UPDATE: Update 11:56pm on 11-22-2008 - Nascar Driver and Off-Road Phenom, Robby Gordon blows motor in the #77 Trophy Truck ending a long race day filled with twists and rolls.(dirtnewz.com)(11-23-2008) Comment here
- Robby gets help from #77 crew: The pit crew for the #77 Penske Dodge of Sam Hornish Jr. [who failed to make the race] will work for the #7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Dodge of Robby Gordon in Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Gordon is battling to stay in the top 35 in owner points, which would lock him into the fields of the first five races of 2009. He started the race in 34th, 30 points ahead of #47-Marcos Ambrose and 47 ahead of Brian Vickers, who is driving the #84 Red Bull Toyota in place of Scott Speed.(FoxSports)(11-16-2008)
- Jim Beam back with Robby Gordon in 2009: Jim Beam plans on returning as a primary sponsor for the majority of Sprint Cup races with #7-Robby Gordon next year as he visited with the company's distributors annual conference a couple of weeks ago and was introduced as the 2009 driver. Neither side will comment until the contract is signed and becomes official. The sponsorship should put Gordon in good shape for the 2009 season. He already had confirmed that he had renewed his sponsorship from Menards.(SceneDaily)(11-16-2008) Comment here
- No one wants to talk about possible mergers: If teams are talking to others in the garage area about merging, the owners and executives weren’t talking about it Sunday in the Sprint Cup Series garage. “I can save you a lot of time here – I can’t talk about any of this,” said Chip Ganassi, co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing at Phoenix International Raceway. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, but I can’t talk about all this stuff.” Ganassi’s team reportedly has been in talks with Petty Enterprises and Dale Earnhardt Inc. – two teams that also have reportedly been in discussions with each other.
Petty Enterprises [#43, #45] CEO David Zucker politely declined to talk about any merger possibilities.
DEI [#01, #1, #8, #15] President Max Siegel wasn’t at the race track. “We are having multiple discussions about ways to sustain a strong racing program,” Siegel said via e-mail. “We will make an announcement about our future plans in the next two weeks.”
Hall of Fame Racing [#96] and Wood Brothers Racing [#21] also have been mentioned as potential candidates for mergers. “We’re working hard to make sure that we’re [here and competitive] – that’s what we’re working hard to do,” Hall of Fame Racing co-owner Tom Garfinkel said. “I hesitate to put a timeline on it because it’s not all within my control.”
Bill Davis Racing [#22] said Saturday that he thought he had a potential merger done but it didn’t look like it would happen.
Robby Gordon [#7] said his team is not involved in any of the merger talk.(SceneDaily)(9-10-2008) Comment here
- Testing at Pikes Peak: Kenny Wallace and the #28 U.S. Border Patrol/Jay Robinson Racing Chevy tested at Pikes Peak International Raceway on Monday, #7-Robby Gordon and team are scheduled to test at the track on Wednesday Nov. 5 in preparation for Phoenix. No word if testing is open to the public.(PPIR)(11-4-2008)
- Jim Beam & Robby Gordon to Auction Authentic NASCAR Hood for Troops: As Veterans Day approaches, racing enthusiasts and philanthropists will have a chance to bid on a unique racing collectible while supporting America’s service members and their families. Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM), in combined efforts with Jim Beam Bourbon, has kindly donated the special edition Jim Beam/ Operation Homefront race car hood to Operation Homefront for auction. RGM and Jim Beam created a special Operation Homefront paint scheme for the Richmond and New Hampshire Sprint Cup Series events in order to increase awareness of Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to U.S. troops and their families. To celebrate Veterans Day, they will run this paint scheme once more in Phoenix and will increase their commitment by auctioning off the hood to help raise funds for the organization. Jim Beam, the world’s No. 1-selling bourbon, formed an association with Operation Homefront earlier this year when it recognized the organization had the same commitment and values as the Jim Beam brand - true character, integrity and doing the right thing. The hood, autographed by Robby Gordon, will be auctioned off on eBay starting November 4 with the auction closing Veterans Day, November 11, just in time for holiday gift giving.(GMR Marketing PR), see images of the scheme on my #7 Team Schemes page.(11-4-2008)
- Mapei / Menards with Robby Gordon at Texas: Coming off a solid top-20 finish last weekend in Atlanta, Robby Gordon and the #7 team hope to carry this momentum forward into this weekend's Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. The #7 Dodge will display the familiar Mapei / Menards primary colors during Sunday's 334-lap race.(RGM PR), see an image of the car on my #7 Team Schemes Page.(10-31-2008)
- Jim Beam back on the #7 at Atlanta: The #7 Jim Beam Dodge returns to racing action this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Before Robby Gordon makes a lap around the 1.54-mile track in his Dodge Charger, he will help Jim Beam and the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) raise awareness about the success of DWI Courts in Georgia on Friday, October 24th at the Georgia State Capital Building. With more than 17,000 people killed by drunk drivers in the United States each year, Beam Global and NCDC have joined forces to bring national attention to the effectiveness of the DWI Courts in addressing drunk driving, and Gordon serves as spokesman on the issue.(RGM PR)(10-24-2008) Comment here
- Robby back with own team in 2009: #7-Robby Gordon says he has enough sponsorship to run the full Sprint Cup Series schedule next season and has no interest in driving for anyone but himself [there were rumors he could go to DEI]. Gordon said Menards is among the sponsors coming back. Gordon has had sponsorship mainly from Menards and Jim Beam this year. Jim Beam announced last November that it would sponsor Gordon through 2008 and has not yet announced its plans for 2009. As far as a possible merger – Gordon had agreed in January to be bought out by Gillett Evernham Motorsports but that deal fell through – Gordon says he is not going to drive for anyone else. Gordon recently began a four-race engine-leasing deal with Penske Racing.(SceneDaily)(10-5-2008) Comment here
