The hardworking people at Robby Gordon Motorsports have really been putting in a superb effort this year. 2009 has been RGM's inaugural season with Toyota as a manufacturer. Robby enjoyed his prior relationship with Toyota in his past off-road efforts, and decided running a Toyota in 2009 would be the the best way to keep moving forward with his cup program. There have been some ups and downs on the track as RGM gets the feel of how to get the most performance out of the Camry and the Triad Racing powerhouses. The team has shown definite improvement with their intermediate program, and #7 is always a threat on the restrictor plate and road course tracks. For the first time in the team‘s history, Robby entered and qualified a second car in both road course events with wheelman PJ Jones as the driver. RGM has also enjoyed success on improving the performance of their in-house manufactured chassis.

What has impressed me the most this year has been Robby Gordon the businessman. He probably is the busiest car owner in the cup garage. The RGM Toyota has sported 17 different sponsors on the hood thru 31 races so far, building relationships with a diverse group of business partners. Thru the years, Robby has proven to be one of the most fan-friendly drivers at the track, representing his team and sponsor well. Sponsors have benefited from their relationship with RGM too. For example, RGM teamed up with SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger at Bristol in the spring race and Robby finished a respectable 21st. Response to a promotion SPOT was running concurrently to their Bristol sponsorship was outstanding. Most importantly, SPOT increased their brand awareness by appearing in one of the biggest events in motorsports. Great weekend for the sponsor, another day at the office for Robby and his team. Clearly they enjoy their work.

Running a cup team that competes 38 weekends a year, complete with races, testing, sponsor appearances, and personal appearances should be enough to keep anyone busy. Don’t tell that to Mr. Gordon. The hardest working racer in racing, Robby also runs a championship caliber off-road program. Robby Gordon Off-road is closing in on the Score International Trophy Truck title, comfortably leading the points after 4 of 5 races. Robby has also competed this year in the TORC 2WD truck series, as well as running a modified car in a charity event. Robby and the off-road team has also been also assisting Polaris research and design with some of their current projects. When most NASCAR drivers are resting and enjoying some time off in December and January, Robby is preparing his off-road team, Team Dakar USA, for the Dakar Rally, a grueling event that takes place over more than two weeks thru the difficult terrain of South America. Fielding two Hummers that both finished in the top 15 overall in 2009, Robby looks to improve on his 3rd place finish and contend in the Monster Energy Hummer for the 2010 overall championship.

The upcoming year holds much promise and optimism for Robby Gordon Motorsports. 2010 will start with the Dakar Rally, then the NASCAR cup season begins. A second year in the Toyota Camry will help with performance and Daytona will be the first challenge. Much excitement will be generated if the Indy racing league officials follow thru with changing the starting time to an earlier start for the Indy 500 on Memorial Day so Robby can race the double (Charlotte and Indianapolis) for the first time since 2004. RGM has potential sponsor backing to field a open wheel car for Indy and try to complete some unfinished business at that track. I’m sure Robby will find time to run in some off-road events, as well as anything that strikes his interest. 2010 should be a fun year with the cup and off-road programs continuing to improve and develop, new sponsors replacing old ones, watching the hard work of the crew paying off, and always an exciting show. Robby will definitely stay busy, which is the way he likes it, and why some call him “The official racer of racing”!