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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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Inside Racing Presented by Wrigley's


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SEASON SUMMARY
Robby Gordon
Starts: 23
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 1
Top 10: 1



Current Rank: 33 (1,833 / -1667)
Earnings: $2,672,107
Best Finish: 3

SEASON RESULTS
RACE FINISH PTS EARN
Budweiser Shootout 27 0 $18,000
Gatorade Duel 1 22 0 $21,288
Daytona 500 34 61 $287,158
Auto Club 500 30 73 $104,760
Shelby 427 15 123 $123,235
Kobalt Tools 500 26 85 $93,935
Food City 500 21 100 $108,660
Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 40 43 $88,535
Samsung 500 39 46 $104,058
Subway Fresh Fit 500 39 46 $84,310
Aaron's 499 29 76 $104,635
Crown Royal Presents the Russell Friedman 400 16 115 $95,060
Southern 500 28 79 $96,583
Coca-Cola 600 3 120 $208,985
Autism Speaks 400 33 64 $98,660
Pocono 500 31 70 $86,160
LifeLock 400 17 112 $99,985
Toyota/Save Mart 350 36 60 $92,193
Lenox Industrial Tools 301 25 93 $97,210
Coke Zero 400 22 102 $113,835
LifeLock.com 400 34 61 $101,885
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard 28 79 $167,135
Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 33 64 $85,735
Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen 18 109 $88,960
CARFAX 400 37 52 $92,385


No. 7 Jim Beam/Menard's/MAPAI Ford
Owner: Robby Gordon
Team: Robby Gordon Motorsports
Crew Chief: Frank Kerr

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.



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