2008 Preseason No. 29: Robby Gordon

No. 7 Jim Beam/Menard's/MAPAI Ford

2008 Spin
The independent owner-driver was an endangered species a decade ago, and, if not for Robby Gordon, would be all but extinct. But Gordon makes it work, possibly since he gets along with his boss. Gordon ran deceptively well last year under his Robby Gordon Motorsports banner — considering his single-car status — and an improvement in 2008, while certainly not guaranteed, is not out of the realm of possibility, either.

Still, it may well be an uphill battle. Just when it seemed that the team was gaining some much-needed stability, crew chief Peter Sospenzo and car chief Bill Henderson abruptly departed, leaving Gordon to spend the offseason — when not halfway across the world off-roading — launching a personnel search. The result was the hiring of former Michael Waltrip Racing crew chief Frank Kerr to turn wrenches for the No. 7.

Another area where the team could use a little stability is sponsorship. Jim Beam will return for 13 races, and longtime sponsor Menard's will likely show on the hood a few times, but sponsors have been a revolving door on the car since its inception, and it’s not a stretch to wonder if worrying about this takes away from Gordon’s ability to concentrate on the day-to-day business.

But judging by performance, it does appear that RGM is in it for the long haul. Gordon, a fierce competitor, is bucking the trend of multi-car teams owned by multi-millionaires, and he is the perfect wheelman to make it work — aggressive to the core. New crew chief Kerr will be a key to success in ’08 — provided he stays on board for a full season, something this team desperately needs. Gordon will be enough of a threat on road courses that a win is not out of the question. If he doesn’t let his temper take control of his common sense, Gordon should continue to plug along on his own with limited success.

Opposing Crew Chiefs’ Take
“Robby’s his own worst enemy. He’s got talent, but he just doesn’t have the mindset or commitment to do this. He likes to dabble here, dabble there, but he owns this team, runs it and probably goes through more people than anybody. … More show than go. He’s a good talent, but in today’s world, that’s no longer enough. … He doesn’t need to be owning the team and driving the car both. He’d be better off if he drove for somebody, but because he’s so volatile, this is the only way he can make it stick. … Robby may be the biggest waste of talent in this sport. He’s evidence of the fact that some people never grow up.”

Fantasy Stall
Looking at Checkers: This is a no brainer: Sonoma and Watkins Glen.
Pretty Solid Pick: It may come as a surprise, but Gordon runs okay on the plate tracks, although a win is certainly a stretch.
Good Sleeper Pick: Atlanta or Darlington — if he can practice patience.
Runs on Seven Cylinders: Perhaps he’s claustrophobic or maybe just impatient, but short tracks are his downfall.
Insider Tip: Let’s be honest: He’s a top-5 pick on the road courses. Avoid elsewhere.

For more in-depth driver news and hard-hitting features, order your 2008 Athlon Sports Racing Annual here.