2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
2009 Watkins Glen Cup Race Recap
Charlotte, NC (August 11, 2009) – Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen was postponed by one day due to inclement weather at the 2.45-mile road course. On Monday, Robby Gordon and his No. 7 Jim Beam Camry began the day in the 22nd position, eager to challenge the 43-car field that included some of the most talented drivers in the world.
Shortly after the race began, Robby Gordon reported to the team that he had a severe steering problem. He radioed to the crew that he could not turn the car in either direction. Despite the poor handling condition, Gordon managed to maintain the 22nd position through the team’s first pit stop on Lap 20 during the first caution period. Quickly, Gordon and his crew chief, Kirk Almquist, formulated a plan to change the power steering pump during the next caution period.
The team was fortunate that the next caution flag flew on Lap 23. As discussed laps earlier, the crew was prepared for the change; they had the replacement pump and the necessary tools readily available. The team knew that changing the pump during the caution meant losing valuable track position and a couple of laps, but agreed that the change was necessary to improve the handling of the No. 7 Jim Beam Toyota. In less than seven minutes, Gordon returned to the track with a new power steering pump and immediately reported a tremendous improvement in the car’s handling. Despite the precise execution of the team, Gordon rejoined the race two laps down.
Gordon and the team refused to fold in the face of adversity, and calmly devised a strategy that would eventually return the Jim Beam Camry to the lead lap. As the other teams in the field cycled through their second round of pit stops, Gordon raced past the leader to regain one of the two laps lost on the race track.
A serious crash in Turn 9 brought out the fourth caution of the day. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. NASCAR threw the red flag while safety and clean-up crews dealt with the aftermath of the crash. Gordon was the beneficiary of the Lucky Dog during this caution period. As a result, he returned to the lead lap for the final laps of the race.
During the fifth and final caution period of the day, the team brought the No. 7 Camry to pit lane for four fresh tires. Gordon restarted the race in the 29th position and began to methodically move through the field. He passed eleven cars in the final seventeen laps. The No. 7 Jim Beam team finished 18th due to the hard work and dedication of all the Robby Gordon Motorsports team members.
“I am obviously very disappointed with our 18th-place finish. Our organization has spent the several months building, testing, and perfecting our road course cars. We really expected more this weekend; it is just unfortunate for our team and the hard work that everyone put in for this race,” commented a very disappointed Robby Gordon.
This week, the Sprint Cup Series will travel to Michigan International Speedway to compete in the Carfax 400 on Sunday, August 16th. ESPN will have live television coverage of the event beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST. Radio coverage of the race will be live on Sirius Satellite Radio and MRN. SPEED will broadcast qualifying for the 400-mile event beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST on Friday, August 14th.
Shortly after the race began, Robby Gordon reported to the team that he had a severe steering problem. He radioed to the crew that he could not turn the car in either direction. Despite the poor handling condition, Gordon managed to maintain the 22nd position through the team’s first pit stop on Lap 20 during the first caution period. Quickly, Gordon and his crew chief, Kirk Almquist, formulated a plan to change the power steering pump during the next caution period.
The team was fortunate that the next caution flag flew on Lap 23. As discussed laps earlier, the crew was prepared for the change; they had the replacement pump and the necessary tools readily available. The team knew that changing the pump during the caution meant losing valuable track position and a couple of laps, but agreed that the change was necessary to improve the handling of the No. 7 Jim Beam Toyota. In less than seven minutes, Gordon returned to the track with a new power steering pump and immediately reported a tremendous improvement in the car’s handling. Despite the precise execution of the team, Gordon rejoined the race two laps down.
Gordon and the team refused to fold in the face of adversity, and calmly devised a strategy that would eventually return the Jim Beam Camry to the lead lap. As the other teams in the field cycled through their second round of pit stops, Gordon raced past the leader to regain one of the two laps lost on the race track.
A serious crash in Turn 9 brought out the fourth caution of the day. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. NASCAR threw the red flag while safety and clean-up crews dealt with the aftermath of the crash. Gordon was the beneficiary of the Lucky Dog during this caution period. As a result, he returned to the lead lap for the final laps of the race.
During the fifth and final caution period of the day, the team brought the No. 7 Camry to pit lane for four fresh tires. Gordon restarted the race in the 29th position and began to methodically move through the field. He passed eleven cars in the final seventeen laps. The No. 7 Jim Beam team finished 18th due to the hard work and dedication of all the Robby Gordon Motorsports team members.
“I am obviously very disappointed with our 18th-place finish. Our organization has spent the several months building, testing, and perfecting our road course cars. We really expected more this weekend; it is just unfortunate for our team and the hard work that everyone put in for this race,” commented a very disappointed Robby Gordon.
This week, the Sprint Cup Series will travel to Michigan International Speedway to compete in the Carfax 400 on Sunday, August 16th. ESPN will have live television coverage of the event beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST. Radio coverage of the race will be live on Sirius Satellite Radio and MRN. SPEED will broadcast qualifying for the 400-mile event beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST on Friday, August 14th.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on
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I think that the pit crew responded tremendously to adversity during both races this weekend. They performed admirely, and improved finishes that could have been terrible. While Robby wouldn't be happy without scoring at least a top ten in either race, he has to be impressed with how his team stepped up to the plate when the chips were down. If RG could finish in the top 20 every week he'd certainly be in contention for the chase (Reutimann in 16th place 155 points out of 12th place with an average finish of 17.4 this year). RGM is making progress this year, the team is beginning to work together well. Chemistry takes time. Another year in the Toyota would show nothing but improvement for this team, and remember, they only started using Triad motors about 10 races into this year. The Triad is an improvement over the TRD. I am also impressed that RGM was able to get the #04 into the show both road races, even if it was for nothing more than a start and park. That's smart of RGM to get extra income for miminal effort. I'm rambling... but what I'm getting at is that RGM is a respectable racing team. They might not be able to rival Hendrick this year, but they are moving forward. Just remember, even if it was a different era, Richard Childress was an owner driver for parts of 12 years (1969-1981) until he put Ricky Rudd in his car for two years and then some guy named Dale after that. Richard never even fielded a second car full time until he put Mike Skinner in the #31 in 1997. That's 28 years. He had already won 6 Cup titles with Dale by then. This is a hard business. For RGM to still be afloat after all this time is an accomplishment in itself. Robby isn't going anywhere... unless, of course, it's on his terms!
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