Charlotte, NC (May 29, 2007) – Robby Gordon was the 44th
driver to qualify for Saturday’s Carquest Auto Parts 300. With a limited 2007 NASCAR Busch Series
schedule underway for Gordon and his team, it was a go or go home qualifying
attempt for the No. 55 Verizon Wireless Ford Fusion. His first lap of
30.609-seconds (176.419 mph) was good enough for an 18th place start
in Saturday night’s race.
Soon
after the green flag for the 200-lap race waved at 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, Gordon told crew
chief, Greg Erwin that his Verizon Wireless Ford Fusion was too tight. Erwin
and the team took advantage of an early caution and called Gordon to pit road
for four fresh Goodyear tires. Erwin also called for the rear tire changer to
pull rubbers from the left rear in hopes of loosening the race car. Gordon was 32nd
when racing resumed three laps later.
Another
caution flag came at Lap 28, which brought Gordon to the pits again. However, the
team picked up several positions by only making a wedge adjustment and exiting
the pits in 12th position. Then, a long green-flag run ensued during
which Gordon continued to fight the tight-handling condition. On a green-flag
stop on lap 97, the team continued to make changes to the tweak the race car.
During
the third caution of the night, Gordon’s car had now become too loose in the
corners. The Verizon Wireless Ford Fusion was treated on pit road again and restarted
34th. Unfortunately, the modification wasn’t enough.
Despite
the car’s handling, Gordon continued to be patient with the track, his car, and
his team. At the end of the night, Gordon crossed the finish line in 32nd
place. Gordon and the No. 55 Verizon Wireless team will next see Busch series
action in July at Chicagoland Speedway.
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