NASCAR SPRINT CUP > News > Race Reports Charter Communications Martinsville Recap

GORDON VICTIM OF MECHANICAL ISSUES;

MANAGES 40^th PLACE FINISH

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Martinsville Speedway is notorious for being tough on both car and driver. Robby Gordon and the No. 7 Charter Dodge crew saw a good day go bad at the paper-clip shaped racetrack. Gordon and crew clawed their way into the top-20 before mechanical problems forced them to a 40^th place finish.

Gordon began the day in the 41^st spot, but the No. 7 was strong in race trim and it took only 35 laps to break into the 35^th spot.  Gordon continued moving forward through heavy, two-wide traffic when the 84 of Mike Skinner drove into turn 3 deep and slide up into the Charter Dodge.  As a result, the caution flag emerged on lap 45.

The contact with the 84 cut down the right front tire on the No. 7 and Gordon forcefully brought the Charter Dodge onto pit road for minor repairs. The crew worked quickly to prevent the Charter Dodge from going another lap down and Gordon emerged back onto the track.

The field restarted on lap 48 and Gordon was show in the 43^rd position.  After running several laps, he gave the team feedback on the car.

“It feels tight and loose,” Gordon explained. “It’s definitely tight in the middle, and it feels like I’m burning the tires off.”

A multi-car crash on the front stretch brought the No. 7 to pit road again for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.

After the restart, it appeared that crew chief, Frank Kerr’s call on the air pressure adjustment worked.

“You’re running lap times as good as the leader,” Kerr clamored over the radio. “Just be patient out there.”

Lap 107 brought another caution after three cars spun going into turn 1. This was the break the Charter Dodge team needed. After this round of stops if they could be the first off of pit road, they would be in position to get the “lucky dog” and back on the lead lap.

The No. 7 Charter Dodge team knew it was their time to step up – and they did. They performed a blistering fast stop and Gordon raced off pit road the first car a lap down. 

“Great stop guys,” Gordon said. “Way to go! That is just what we needed.” 

The field took the restart, and Gordon blasted out of turn 2 putting several car lengths between himself the lead cars. The No. 7 continued to gain more distance out front until the caution came on lap 120 and the team was back on the lead lap.

Gordon was putting down extremely fast laps in the No. 7 Charter Dodge and had clawed his way up to the 14^th position when the 55 of Michael Waltrip spun out going into turn 1. Gordon was forced to jump hard on the brakes to avoid hitting the 55. As a result, he lost several positions and took the restart deep in the field. 

Gordon spent the next 36 laps working his way back up front in the Charter Dodge. On lap 350, the No. 7 suddenly fell on the pace.

“We’re broke,” Gordon screamed over the radio. “Something just broke in the rear-end. This is bad guys.”

Kerr called the No. 7 into the garage where the crew began quick repairs to the Charter Dodge. They fixed several components on the car before losing 60 laps to the leaders.

Gordon was able to get back onto the track and took the checkered flag in the 40^th position.

The No. 7 is 27^th in owner’s standings just 28 points out of the 25^th position. 

“Our day started off strong, but it didn’t end up the way we wanted it,” Gordon explained after the race. “After we got a lap down, we just stayed as focused as possible. The Charter Dodge crew did a great job in helping us get our lap back. The pit crew had really fast stops that put is in a position to get the lucky dog, twice.”

“The more we worked our way up front, the more issues we had. Every time we got into the top-25, it seemed like the bad luck just hit. We continued to keep our heads up until we had mechanical issues with about 150 laps to go. It was a tough day, but we’ll head to Texas next week ready to go.”

Denny Hamlin won his first race of the 2008 season. Jeff Gordon finished second, followed by Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway this week.