#7 Johns Manville Brickyard 400
Pre Race Report

• Does anybody remember Chicagoland? – The city of “broad shoulders” did little to improve Team Gordon’s position two weeks ago at the Chicagoland Speedway. While fast on long green runs, the Red Stage #7 Camry ultimately succumbed to a mechanical issue that significantly impacted the handling of the race car and forced Gordon behind the wall for repairs. Once corrected, Gordon’s Toyota was fast, but the damage was done and the team finished deep in the field. Robby Gordon Motorsports returns to the track that Gordon “wakes up for…” and sets his sights on a quality finish in Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400 sporting a new “Jackie” Gleason Johns Manville design.

• May the Force be with you? – With a full week off, silly season rumors were in full swing, and RGM was the focus of one of the more interesting yarns. It was reported that in an effort to improve straightaway speed performance, RGM was in closed-door meetings with NHRA’s John Force to discuss a possible link-up. Gordon would neither confirm nor deny the rumor, citing company policy not to comment on speculation. That being said, Gordon was seen with Force’s daughter and AOL Sport’s Hottest Athlete Ashley Force Hood at a local tavern in what was described as “close negotiations.” (Editors note: special thanks go to our own Spotted Cow for tipping off this development to the PR Eyewitness News Team. Get it? Cow tipping?)

• The Mayfields and McFrances – In a situation that can only be described as beyond fiction, Jeremy Mayfield accused his step-mother of killing his father and taking bribes from NASCAR to corroborate recent tests confirming Mayfield’s use of methamphetamine. Mayfield describes his situation as dumbfounding and can only speculate about the ongoing feud between himself and NASCAR. “Look, I was in the Chase a couple of years ago and that must have really tweaked these guys off. Either that, or Bill Frances took it the wrong way when I suggested he has cock-eyes.”

Robby Gordon quotes: “Well, I really love Indy and I always get amped for this race. Johnny and the boys in the shop built a new piece for the Brickyard and I intend the drive the Goodyear’s off this thing. Come to think of it, we all did that last year too.”

Kirk Almquist quotes: “I really enjoyed the week off and so we used the time to fine-tune our road course cars. I would say they are strong…to very strong, now we just need to put it all together. Like Rob says, we will get a victory this year and I really want to see us in victory lane at the Glenn.”