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ESPN: Robby Gordon faces 8-race season
Uh-oh. From ESPN.com
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Robby Gordon, who has run a full Sprint Cup schedule as a driver/owner since 2006, says he has enough sponsorship for only eight races in 2010.
"I'm looking at a lot of weekends off,'' a frustrated Gordon told ESPN.com on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gordon said he has two four-race commitments from sponsors for next season. One of his major sponsors, Jim Beam, announced earlier in the year that it would not return to the sport.
"Nobody is spending money,'' Gordon said. "Everybody is cutting the fat out of everything. To be in racing you have to be a pretty big company.''
Gordon said many of the larger teams are making deals for well less than the market value because they can afford to, but that runs teams like his out of business.
"It's sponsorship suicide,'' said Gordon, who is 34th in points.
Gordon said NASCAR needs to create a unified marketing plan so every team is on a level playing field. He said there are so many different plans now that sponsors are confused.
He expects to see more start-and-park teams next season than ever, adding he doesn't plan to be one.
"I don't know what we're going to do,'' Gordon said. "We're going to continue to work hard to sell races through March of next year. After that I'm looking at a lot of weekends off.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Robby Gordon, who has run a full Sprint Cup schedule as a driver/owner since 2006, says he has enough sponsorship for only eight races in 2010.
"I'm looking at a lot of weekends off,'' a frustrated Gordon told ESPN.com on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gordon said he has two four-race commitments from sponsors for next season. One of his major sponsors, Jim Beam, announced earlier in the year that it would not return to the sport.
"Nobody is spending money,'' Gordon said. "Everybody is cutting the fat out of everything. To be in racing you have to be a pretty big company.''
Gordon said many of the larger teams are making deals for well less than the market value because they can afford to, but that runs teams like his out of business.
"It's sponsorship suicide,'' said Gordon, who is 34th in points.
Gordon said NASCAR needs to create a unified marketing plan so every team is on a level playing field. He said there are so many different plans now that sponsors are confused.
He expects to see more start-and-park teams next season than ever, adding he doesn't plan to be one.
"I don't know what we're going to do,'' Gordon said. "We're going to continue to work hard to sell races through March of next year. After that I'm looking at a lot of weekends off.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joan Forsythe on
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Robby has to market himself, not just the car/team. He could be The " Kimora" of racing, if he would promote himself as his own industry. Between her Baby Phat and clothing line, etc. plus the TV show Kimora made 22 million, with that kind of money Robby could field his team without people like Beam. Joan
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Permalink Reply by Alex on
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I have a hard time believing this writer, i know Robby has a lot on his plate but theres no way that he only has 8 races which i assume are from Mapei and Polaris. Menards? They have to be on for about the same slate as this year plus Freightliner, Camping World have to have a few races, plus Robby supposedly has new sponsors hes talking to. This writer isnt one of ESPN's finest.
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Permalink Reply by RG4ME on
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I just watched Nascar Now on ESPN and they reported that Robby gave them this information himself in an interview today.
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Permalink Reply by TOG on
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also, the radio interview from the other day , re-listen to it, when asked about 2010 plans, RG didnt elaborate other than the car make.
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This is just the harsh reality that has been facing RG . The marketing department is working hard to getting deals done, and as always, there are potential deals being worked on, so have faith folks.
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Nascar has to bear a lot of the responsibility for the smaller teams having trouble getting sponsors. Companies want value for their money and unless you're one of their favorites or a contender for the Chase, your car is almost never shown on the track. It should be mandatory that every driver's name, number and car is mentioned or shown at least twice during a race no matter what position they're running in. You can't tell me that there's not enough time during these races.
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Permalink Reply by Eric Appleby on
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Exactly. Most of the Texas race we were treated to watching Johnson's car in the garage. Exciting television. Not.
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Permalink Reply by GrayAntiMatter on
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Johnson in the garage was THE story at Texas.
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