GFS Marketplace 400 - Robby Gordon Notes

Unfinished Business for Gordon and Menards at Michigan

For Robby Gordon and his No. 7 Menards Chevrolet, everything was going perfectly June 19 at Michigan International Speedway when one of the most inexpensive pieces on the car failed on lap 132 of the 200 lap race – a coil wire in the ignition system. Repairing the melted wire required 18 laps of service and cost the team a solid finish.

Gordon’s Monte Carlo started eighth – the team’s best qualifying effort of the season at that point – and had moved up within the top five for much of the early running. Even after the team made necessary repairs, the car ran consistent lap times with the leaders and the eventual winner Greg Biffle.

The team returns to Michigan for Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400 in the Menards Chevrolet with high hopes for that top finish that was foiled at the first Michigan race.

“There are two things you have to have to be successful at Michigan – handling and horsepower,” said Crew Chief Greg Erwin. “We had both in the June race and I expect we’ll find the same thing when we unload off the truck Friday.”

Despite a number of unforeseen mechanical set backs, the RGM team has seen its performance pick up significantly in recent months, particularly since the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May.

Following Sunday’s strong performance at Watkins Glen International where Gordon finished second to the red-hot Tony Stewart, the team has now led laps in five races and has had cars capable of top-10 or top-15 finishes virtually every week, although Gordon admits the statistics don’t show that effort.

“With the exception of Indianapolis where it seems we struggled all day, I have been very happy with our competitiveness,” Gordon said. “Watkins Glen is tough on suspension, brakes and even the chassis, and nothing failed on our Jim Beam Chevy, so that tells me the guys have really stepped up their game to give us mechanically sound race cars. If that continues, we’ll start finishing where we have been racing, which is inside the top 15.

“The goal for next season is to average a top-15 finish every week, and if we can do that we’ll accomplish one of our goals of making the “Chase.” Our results haven’t shown it, but even looking at the inner workings of our company with a critical eye, I know that we’re not far from being a top-15 car every week.”

Gordon will compete at Michigan in the No. 7 Menards Chevrolet, and will visit a Menards store on Friday, Aug. 19 from 6-8 p.m. to sign autographs and visit with shoppers at the Jackson, Mich., store at 3588 Page Ave.