Robby Gordon seemingly confirms Indy 500 effort

rustyfan · 18 Jan 2005, 23:12 (Ref:1204232)

From Jayski.com:

Quote:

INDY 500 plans: Saying that his biggest weakness last year was engines, Robby Gordon said the team will run Menard engines and are testing the new Menard restrictor plate engine here at Daytona. The first restrictor plate engine ever produced by Menard. The parts for the engines are produced in England and assembled in the States on a Chevrolet block. Utilizing a total of four sponsors in 9 race packages. The next sponsor will be announced tomorrow and the other sponsors by the time the Daytona 500 begins in February, Gordon also talked about his departure from Richard Childress Racing saying that he was not fired and that there is no rift between him and Childress. Gordon also seemed(?) to say that he will be running the Indianapolis 500 this year. He said that a sponsor deal is "on the table" and that he is now an owner. "Last year I had to leave early, this year, I'm a car owner and I don't have to leave early," Gordon said.

marcus · 19 Jan 2005, 05:32 (Ref:1204411)

excellent , I think given the right circumstances and good car robby can finally win Indy.

But Ive always been a fan of his , I hope he does do indy and HE is behind the wheel

climb · 19 Jan 2005, 07:32 (Ref:1204448)

Really hope it's all true.

GP Racer · 19 Jan 2005, 19:57 (Ref:1205005)

I know we had heard rumors of Gordon starting up an IndyCar team, but is that whats happened? Or does he now own a NASCAR team?

Also, why does he say that he doesn't have to leave the Indy 500 early to go over to the 600, because he is now a team owner? With the new earlier time of the Indy 500, I would think he would have to leave the race earlier than ever.

I'm so confused!

Kicking-back · 19 Jan 2005, 20:16 (Ref:1205024)

As the team owner he would be able to skip the NASCAR 600.

I'd actually like to see Robby bring his team full time to IndyCar - he always seemed better suited to it than NASCAR

rustyfan · 20 Jan 2005, 10:48 (Ref:1205471)

The IndyCar website has more on this. It's basically the same as printed above, although it's a bit longer and includes mention about potentially having a sponsor for the '500:

Quote:

Gordon: Not out of the question
Robby Gordon says competing in the 89th Indianapolis 500 is not out of the question. “Another nice thing about being a team owner is that if I want to run the Indy 500, I can do that now,” he said during a press conference this week. “We have a sponsor for the Indy 500. It’s sitting on the desk and it’s been sitting there for a month. We’re just a little hesitant to sign it because you want to be careful what you wish for - you just might get it. And then we’d have to do that program too. We did race it last year and raced inside the top 10 with our own team and then I had to leave. This year, I really wouldn't have to leave.”

rustyfan · 20 Jan 2005, 11:07 (Ref:1205485)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I'd actually like to see Robby bring his team full time to IndyCar - he always seemed better suited to it than NASCAR

Agreed, but at the same time the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is where the money is - even if you run mainly in the top-15 you still bring in more money than being a front-runner in IndyCar.

Not to mention a successful Cup effort - or even a semi-successful one - could help bring attention and sponsors to a potential IndyCar team as well.

rustyfan · 20 Jan 2005, 11:17 (Ref:1205488)

Speaking of cross-promotion, I see now that Robby Gordon has signed Jim Beam as one of the four sponsors he'll have for his Cup effort (a nine-race deal with Fruit of the Loom, his Busch sponsor, was announced a couple of days ago).

Perhaps the Jim Beam connection could lead to some sort of co-operation between his potential IndyCar team and AGR.

Hazza · 20 Jan 2005, 13:02 (Ref:1205579)

I see where you are going rusty fan...and I like it...

''Michael hit me goddamnit!'' *ram*

BSchneiderFan · 21 Jan 2005, 00:31 (Ref:1206022)

I think it is a question of being a team-owner allowing him to skip the 600. If he isn't in the running for the title - and, much though I admire Robby Gordon, it doesn't look like he will be - what's the harm in skipping one of thirty-odd Cup races when he has a good shot at winning the Indy 500? You pay the piper, you call the tune.

Antrodemus · 21 Jan 2005, 02:02 (Ref:1206047)

If he's got sponsorship for the 600, I doubt his sponsors would be too keen on him not entering just so he can do the 500. It'd be better to keep a reserve driver ready with his Cup team, just in case the 500 runs overtime again.

rustyfan · 21 Jan 2005, 06:48 (Ref:1206103)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antrodemus

If he's got sponsorship for the 600, I doubt his sponsors would be too keen on him not entering just so he can do the 500. It'd be better to keep a reserve driver ready with his Cup team, just in case the 500 runs overtime again.

Considering the 500 starts one hour later this year there is pretty much no way he'll be able to do the double, unfortunately.

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