Auto Club 500 - Robby Gordon Notes

Robby Gordon
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event/Date: Auto Club 500/May 2, 2004
Venue: California Speedway

NASCAR Cup Points Position: 22nd (up three positions from last week)

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at California Speedway (chassis No. 103) was run in a total of eight races during the 2003 season including Las Vegas, Martinsville (in April), Michigan (in June and August), Indianapolis, Kansas, Atlanta (in October) and Homestead, helping Gordon record seven top-25 finishes and two sixth-place finishes in August at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michigan International Speedway.

Substitution … Team Cingular tested at Michigan International Speedway on April 20 and 21 to prepare for racing in Fontana this weekend, since they were unable to test at the California Speedway that was undergoing renovations for this weekend’s events.

More preparation for Indy 500 … Gordon is testing this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 27 and 28, along with the other Indy 500 contending teams, to prepare for his “Double Duty” running of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend.

double, Double Duty … In addition to running the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double, Gordon will be doing another double in May the weekend of NASCAR racing at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) May 14 and 15. After driving his Busch Series car in Friday night’s Funai 250, he will fly up to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friday night to qualify for the Indy 500 on Saturday afternoon, and then will return to RIR to drive the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in Saturday night’s Chevy American Revolution 400.

Miller time … Gordon will stop by the Miller Lite Concert Stage from 6 to 7 p.m. PST Saturday, May 1, to take part in the California Speedway Fan Fest activities.

Run for the border … As if he wasn’t busy enough, Gordon will take a few days after Sunday’s Auto Club 500 to head down to Mexico to test his Trophy truck and sand car Monday and Tuesday, May 3 and 4.

Busch time … Gordon also will be competing in the California Speedway Busch Series event Saturday, May 1. Gordon will be driving the No. 55 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet for Robby Gordon Motorsports. Gordon currently sits fifth, just 62 points out of first, in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series points.

The Auto Club 500 will be broadcast live 3 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 2, on FOX, MRN and XM Radio. Qualifying for the Auto Club 500 will broadcast live Friday, April 30, starting at 6 p.m. EDT on SPEED, MRN and XM Radio.

TEAM CINGULAR QUOTES:

Robby Gordon on this past weekend at Talladega and upcoming weekend in California:

“I like racing in Fontana, because it is near where I grew up, so it is kind of like racing in my own backyard. I am anxious to get there because it is close to home and I do get to see a lot of my family and friends. At the same time, I can’t wait to get there to race, especially coming off of such a great weekend in Talladega and a successful test in Michigan last week.”

“There is definitely a little bit more pressure I put on myself when I race out on the West Coast because I have more family there watching me and I am very busy on track but off the track, as well, because it is like trying to fit in miniature family reunions here and there whenever and wherever I find time. My grandpa is coming to the race Sunday, so I am really looking forward to that.“

“I also am very happy for my Team Cingular pit crew for winning the McDonald’s Pit Crew Challenge this past weekend in Talladega. That is their second win this year and they deserve it. Those guys were amazing last weekend. There were three times I came down pit road out of first place, but was in the lead when I left. I applaud McDonald’s because it is recognizing all the hard work they do and the huge impact those guys make on race day.”

Chris Andrews, Cingular Wireless Crew Chief:

“I am smiling from ear to ear right now. I hope the California sun shines on the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet this weekend just like the Alabama sun did this past weekend in Talladega. We tested at Michigan International Speedway last week to prepare for Fontana. It was a productive test that gave us some positive feedback to take with us into this weekend, so maybe I will have an even bigger grin by the end of the day this Sunday.”

“As for the past Sunday, that was the best restrictor-plate race I have ever seen Robby Gordon run. He was strong, focused, a team player and just played a smart game all day. Our Cingular Chevrolet was stout, as well. In addition to all of that, there was another spectacular show by the over-the-wall pit crew. It was one of those weekends where you just feel like everything is falling into place. The entire team needed that, as well as the entire RCR organization.”