Robby and DEI? As "reported" on Jayski

#7-Robby Gordon now seems to be looking at a new partnership elsewhere in the Sprint Cup garage. And the word-on-the-street is that Gordon may now be headed back to General Motors and Chevrolet in a still murky deal with Dale Earnhardt Inc. that would make him a teammate with DEI’s #1-Martin Truex Jr. and the others at that company. Gordon had no comment on the report, and neither did anyone at DEI. But sources close to the situation said it did indeed look like a deal was in the works, and said something might be announced as soon as Monday. Where Gordon stands in the Dodge camp is unclear, because Dodge executives have been unavailable for any comment. And just what Gordon’s legal status is at the moment, after Friday’s surprise announcement that Gillett-Evernham would be dropping its lawsuit against Gordon over what Gillett-Evernham said was breach of contract, is also unclear. Just how any possible Gordon-DEI merger might work is not clear. Truex is the team’s anchor. Mark Martin is leaving DEI and moving to Rick Hendrick’s team at the end of the season, and rookie #8-Aric Almirola is to take Martin’s spot full-time next year. #01-Ragan Smith, meanwhile, is also a promising rookie but currently without new sponsorship. And then there’s #15-Paul Menard, a long-time DEI driver who is renegotiating his contract; Menard is also under consideration for a Ford ride with the Doug Yates. That means DEI has four drivers at the table right now, and unless one of them were to leave there would be no room for Gordon. The Menard angle is the most curious – because Gordon is a long-time friend with Menard’s father John, who has helped sponsor Gordon over many years and who has his name on the side of Gordon’s hauler here. Gordon has been trying to put together a two-car operation with Paul and John for some time, but nothing has ever come of it.

IMO this deal does make sense as RG does have GM support for his off road ventures, Menards is already on board, and DEI has an engine program with RCR, with whom Rob already has a good relationship with. I guess time will tell...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on September 22, 2008 at 8:20am
I posted this yesterday under the My predictions post...Still not finalized, but it's what I've been hearing since the deal with GEM went sour and Paul was leaving to Yates.

Hearing also Jim Beam would sponsor and Monster could play a larger role.
Permalink Reply by Lance on September 22, 2008 at 8:34am
Interesting. One thing I don't get...you would think that Menard and and Robby would be together wherever they end up.
Permalink Reply by Matt on September 22, 2008 at 9:27am
I think for this to happen Paul Menard would have to stay put at DEI. Robby is not going to merge with a team that Menard just left. Other interesting note, Truex is NOT a RG fan, and that could provide some bad blood from team mates.

On the other hand, it is interesting to note that RG made the first start for DEI in the #14 Give Kids the World car. Well sort of, he qualified it for the Coke 600, got wrecked in practice, and since the team did not have a backup car they withdrew. Just a bit of trivia there...

Another thought, is Robby really going to merge with a team that employs John Story? I do like the GM thing though since he runs the Hummers. Why doesnt Hymmer offer a special edition RG/Dakar H3? Jeez Im full of random thoughts this morning...
Permalink Reply by Keith on September 22, 2008 at 10:06am
Matt, you need to check up on the latest about Hummer.
GM won't be pouring any promotional money into it anytime soon.

http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSBOM18322820080903
Permalink Reply by Matt on September 22, 2008 at 10:12am
Yes, the article does not comment on great over seas sales though. I was being selfish with the special edition H3 comment though, I need a vehicle to tow a boat and would love a Dakar look alike. Maybe Ill have to create my own...
Permalink Reply by YuccaRacer on September 22, 2008 at 10:36am
Without the body its nothing more than a high tech class 1 car.
Wouldn't be that hard to make it look like a Siverado.
Permalink Reply by Matt on September 22, 2008 at 10:41am
Yes, I am aware, just trying to be different at the boat ramps. I realize about the only thing from an H3 on RGs hummer is the grill, :)

I think I took this thread off topic, oops!
Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on September 22, 2008 at 11:53am
who ever buys Hummer will also buy their obligations, including RG's sponsorship. In most cases this would be considered an asset to Hummer's marketing.

One element to the sponsorship is the GM engineering support... I'm sure RG will put a price tag on that if after the sale he loses that support.
Permalink Reply by Will Higman on September 22, 2008 at 1:04pm
I don’t know anything but I have always thought to “myself” that Robby would be a huge asset to the new ownership of Hummer “if” that were to happen.

Robby would bring instant brand recognition worldwide because of the Dakar program…
Permalink Reply by Pathfinder7 on September 22, 2008 at 11:03am
Robby and John have been friends for many years, and John has been a substantial financial supporter as well.
Permalink Reply by Garrett Gleason on September 22, 2008 at 11:17am
Jamie means John Story not John Menard.
Permalink Reply by Pathfinder7 on September 22, 2008 at 11:44am
Sorry, Jamie, I was referring to Menard!

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