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Robby Gordon

No. 55 Verizon Wireless Ford Fusion

Post Race Report

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 15, 2007) – Robby Gordon overcame many early issues to finish the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the 7^th position. 

Gordon started the day in the 29^th position, but radioed to the team early with problems on the No. 55 Verizon Wireless Ford Fusion.  By lap 17, he worked his way up to the 20^th position, but his car had developed a tight handling condition.  He told his crew chief, Dana Brugman, that the car was really tight, especially around the bottom groove and predicted that the right front tire was over pressurized. 

The caution flag flew for the first time of the night on lap 27 and gave the team a chance to adjust their car.  The No. 55 Verizon Wireless crew gave the car four tires with an air pressure adjustment and raised the trackbar two rounds.  A slow stop with many adjustments left the team in the 30^th position for the restart. 

Another caution period on lap 32 allowed the team a chance to execute strategy.  Despite a vibration, the team stayed out and jumped up to the 20^th position.  Following the caution period, Gordon continued to complain that the car was still really tight and asked for a big adjustment on the next stop.  On lap 64, Gordon brushed the outside retaining wall while fighting for position.  The car sustained minor damage on the right fender, which allowed the team to repair it during the subsequent cautions. 

Gordon continued to get discouraged, but Brugman promised that the team would get the car fixed up.  However, the caution did not come out quick enough, as Gordon was put one lap down on lap 79. 

The third caution of the night finally came out on lap 85.  Gordon brought his Verizon Wireless Ford down pit road for adjustments and repairs.  The crew reshaped the right front fender and pulled it away from the tire.  They also made major adjustments to loosen up the car, including four rounds in the trackbar, a couple rubbers in the right rear and four fresh tires. 

When the caution flag came out on lap 95, Gordon was still battling for the lucky dog position.  In a strategy attempt, the team decided to stay out on the track while the other cars pitted.  The team had plenty of fuel for the next run, and Gordon was winning the “lucky dog” battle with his tight race car. 

The team continued this strategy until lap 125 when Gordon was finally able to secure the “lucky dog” position and return to the lead lap of competition.  Being the lucky dog allowed the crew to make more adjustments and repairs to Gordon’s Fusion.  Under this caution, the team put one rubber in the right rear, went four rounds up on the trackbar and gave Gordon four sticker tires.  The team also checked the right side of the racecar after making contact with Greg Biffle during the previous caution period. 

The No. 55 Verizon Wireless team pitted for the final time of the evening under the caution flag on lap 139.  Gordon was still reporting an extremely tight race car and wanted to try to free it up one more time.  The crew put another half rubber in the right rear and went four rounds up on the trackbar. 

After the service, the team restarted in the 19^th position.  Gordon was happy with the adjustments and the car’s handling.  He told the team, “We’ve got a shot at winning this thing.  I’m telling you, I have a good feeling about this.” 

Gordon kept the No. 55 Verizon Wireless on the track for the last few cautions to maintain his track position.  Gordon worked his way up to 6^th place by the white flag lap, but brushed the outside retaining wall while fighting for position.  He finished the race in the 7^th position. 

“Everybody did a great job this weekend,” said Gordon.  “It was a good team effort working on the car and a great recovery from all the problems we had earlier.  We were running a really tight car all night, but the team did everything in their power to fix that condition.  In the end, I’m really happy with a 7^th place finish.  It was a really fun night.”