NASCAR SPRINT CUP > News > Race Reports Jim Beam California Post Race

RAIN PLAUGES FONTANA RACE WEEKEND;

R. GORDON FINISHES 18^TH

FONTANA, Calif. - It wasn’t all sun and blue skies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at California Speedway this weekend. In fact, the weekend was plagued with rain showers that pushed the conclusion of the 250-lap Auto Club 500 until Monday morning.

Robby Gordon and the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge team fought a loose handling race car through the majority of the race. The crew dug deep and did their best to keep up their race car. Their tireless efforts paid as Gordon was able to slide the Jim Beam Dodge to an 18^th place finish.

The starting lineup was set by 2007 owner points as rain washed out qualifying on Friday afternoon. This placed Gordon in the 28^th starting spot.

After the drop of the green flag it took Gordon just three laps to comment on the Jim Beam Dodge handling.

“Nice job with the car guys,” he explained over the radio. “We definitely have a race car today.”

It was evident that Gordon’s comments about the car were accurate, as when the first caution flag emerged on lap 16 he had already picked up eight positions and sat in 20^th. 

Gordon drove the Jim Beam Dodge down pit road under yellow and crew chief Frank Kerr called for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. The pit crew showcased their skills and gained Gordon a spot in the pits. He came back onto the racetrack in 19^th position

The field took the green flag restart on lap 18 and Gordon slammed the No. 7 into fourth gear and drove hard into turn one.

Three laps later as the field made their way off turn two the No. 5 drove over a damp part of the racetrack causing him to lose control and careen into the 88 car. The 5 spun up across the racetrack in front of Gordon and hit the outside retaining wall before being slammed into by the 77. It wasn’t an easy wreck to avoid being caught up in, but thanks to Gordon’s quick response and the great communication with his spotter the Jim Beam Dodge remained unscathed.

“Way too free in the middle of the corner,” Gordon hollered over the radio.

The crew continued with wedge adjustments on the next round of pit stops when they changed four tires and filled the Dodge Charger with fuel.

The field went on racing over the next 58 laps before skies again opened up over the 2-mile oval, and NASCAR postponed the race until the next morning. Gordon was left sitting in the 24^th spot.

Monday morning didn’t bring very good news for the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge as the field made pace laps awaiting the green flag start.

“The brakes don’t seem to be working right,” Gordon keyed over the mic. “The pedal is really soft.”

“Just keep pumping them,” crew chief Frank Kerr replied. “They will come to you.”

Brakes are an essential part of racing at a giant track like California, not only do they help slow the car while entering the corners at 190mph, but more importantly they help plant the nose of the Dodge Charger for optimum front grip and downforce.

Gordon was forced to pump the brakes before entering the corners but still managed to slice his way up to the 14^th position.

Over the next few laps, the Jim Beam Dodge continued to suffer from a loose condition all over the racetrack and was forced to fall back to the 21^st spot while the crew strategized over the changes they would make on the next stop.

Gordon spent the next 60 laps swapping between 22^nd and 20^th positions.

“It’s just loose all over guys,” Gordon explained with 10 laps to go. “I’m doing my best.”

“You’re doing just fine,” Gordon’s spotter clamored back. “You’re running a good line. Now let’s go get a few more spots.”

Gordon muscled the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge up four more spots and crossed the finish line in 18^th position. 

Jimmie Johnson made a late race charger at leader Carl Edwards but the No. 99 held him off and went on to win the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.

“It wasn’t the best day for the No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge, but it was a decent day,” Gordon explained after the race. “We started this morning off with a soft brake pedal which forced me to pump the brakes going into the corner. On top of that we had a loose condition that we just couldn’t seem to shake through the course of the race0”.

“The car started off strong last night, but we just lost the handle this morning. The crew did a great job trying to keep up with the car. We were still able to run most of the race inside the top-25 and that says a lot about the potential for this Jim Beam team. We will keep our heads up and head to Vegas. It’s been a long race weekend here in Fontana and we’re ready for next week.”

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the next stop for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.