Found on NASCAR.com

TOP 10 ROAD RACERS WHO LEFT THEIR MARK ON NASCAR

3. Robby Gordon

Wait, Robby Gordon -- road racer? Oh, yes. He may be better known for his off-road exploits, but the California native was a stone-cold ace in series like Trans-Am and the former incarnation of IMSA. He was a part of four consecutive class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and three in the 12 Hours of Sebring. On a road course, Gordon could wheel it, as evidenced by his Sprint Cup victories at Watkins Glen and Sonoma. But what sets Gordon apart from other luminaries is that not only did he race NASCAR full-time for eight seasons, he won on unrestricted ovals -- in the Nationwide Series at Richmond, and at the Sprint Cup level at New Hampshire. That's the true mark of NASCAR validation for a one-time road racer, and Gordon earned it.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Raymond Pankopf on January 27, 2014 at 7:58pm

I saw robby in jack roush machines and in champ cars at portland in the mid to late 80's. very good road racer. I also saw him frustrate the heck out of eddie cheever - who was attempting to "mentor" robby in a champ car at portland. everything about robby's body language said "yay, yay, yay, old (slow/back marker) man... I'm bored." everything about cheever's demeanor, tone, and body language said: "but, but, but, I used to race in europe, you need to listen to me!" very funny sequence.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marc Nelson on January 28, 2014 at 10:19am

Couldn't find the article, who were the other 9? Saw RG win at Long Beach in the Cougar, He kicked ass in those Roush cars!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on January 28, 2014 at 10:44am

personally,I'm suprised anyone finds anything on their site.
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/1/25/top-ten-r...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marc Nelson on January 28, 2014 at 12:01pm

Thanks for the site. Other than Gurney, Donohue, RG, Ambrose and Montoya, the others never won at the top level of NASCAR on a road course. How can you leave Ray ( The racing farmer ) Elder and Parnelli Jones of the list? Both winners at Riverside. I would certainly put Cale Yarbrough, David Pearson, Richard Petty and Bobby Allison ( all multiple winners at Riverside ) ahead of Montoya and Ambrose. Back then the race was 500 MILES!! It would take up to 5 hours to complete, no power steering, drum brakes ( although disc brakes might have become the norm after Donohue's 73 win ) , and no phantom yellows for ten laps for debris. These guys were no slouches on the road course. And don't forget Tim Richmond won back to back at Riverside while his health was in decline with Aids ( a real stud with both the girls and hustling a car ). Now with that said,I fell better.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carl Abrams on January 29, 2014 at 9:06am

Yuppers +1 Yuppers Mark!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Raymond Pankopf on January 30, 2014 at 8:10pm

the 70's were a great time for race fans in california. the NASCAR grand national circuit came through three times a year; twice to riverside and once to ontario. large horsepower, under-tired grand national stock cars, driven by guys who largely were just trying to survive (and guaranteed to put more than one wheel wrong) provided a great show at riverside. i have such tremendous memories.

because the entire grand national field of regulars could not afford the trips west, the fields were filled with winston west drivers. in addition to ray elder, there were talented guys like jimmy insolo, chuck bown, and the great herschel mcgriff, who could hold their own with allison, petty, person, yarborough, etc. they often competed strong in the top 5, and they were generally only let down by equipment reliability issues. i still remember jimmy insolo (in the lakes drywall special) running in the top three at oms one year. had mcgriff elected to leave bridal veil, oregon, and run the full time grand national circuit - he'd have had a national championship or two.

thanks for the memory prompt.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robert Suttle on January 31, 2014 at 10:03am

I too remember those days. Petty used to straighten out the Riverside esses and go black top, dirt, black top , dirt, black top in the STP Monte Carlo. Always wished the west coast guys would have gotten more chances to go to the south/east tracks.

Thanks!