Race Report
Monster Energy/Toyo Tires Baja 500 Race Report
By
Jun 4, 2007, 15:45

With the final outcome never fully decided in the elapsed-time race until the checkered flag, NASCAR’s Robby Gordon, finished second overall and second in  the SCORE  International trophy truck class in  this year's Baja 500. Gordon's Monster Energy / Toyo Tires No. 71 Chevy CK1500, finished just 3 minutes, 57 seconds behind  Ragland/Collins , this year's overall winners .

After qualifying his No. 7 Menards/Mapei Ford Fusion 33rd for Sunday 's  NASCAR  Nextel Cup race in Dover, Robby Gordon  traveled   to  Ensenada, Mexico  late Friday afternoon.  Shortly after arriving in Mexico, Gordon helped the team with final preparations to the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires trophy truck Saturday evening. Following final preparations, Gordon called  a team meeting  to review the race logistics and  emphasize   the importance of quick pit stops.

Shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday morning Robby Gordon and navigator, Gregg  Till took the green flag starting 22nd based on a random draw for starting position. As it turns out , starting position  would ultimately dictate the outcome of the race.  Employing a clever pit strategy, Gordon passed a handful of competitors while they were in the pits. However, there was a group ahead of Gordon enjoying a relatively dust - free ride. Gordon continued to push the pace and passed most of the remaining trucks ahead of him; however, it wasn't enough to bring Gordon his fourth Baja 500 victory. Gordon’s Monster Energy  / Toyo Tires trophy  truck crossed the finished line as the third overall vehicle ; however, the corrected time was good enough for a second place overall finish.

Robby Gordon’s quotes following the Baja 500

 “It’s not too often that we have a flawless race and get beat. Our logistics worked our really well. I have to thank Motorola, Inc. and Verizon Wireless for coming on board  for our off-road races . Their technology has really helped our team communications. Our pit stops were excellent,  and we had no mechanical issues.  Reflecting on last year's 500, we have had virtually no mechanical issues with the exception of the air cleaner catching fire. We were close perfect in the last fall's Baja 1000 and then  again in this race. I think we have this truck figured out. The Toyo Tires have been awesome; we didn’t have a single flat tire.  Unfortunately, the deciding factor was the late draw. We spent quite a bit of time following a couple of guys. With the dust, there was really nothing we could do about it. The course was very fast and technical but well suited for the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Trophy Truck.”

TOP OVERALL FINISHERS

Cars & Trucks
1. Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz./Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 9 hours, 10 minutes, 58 seconds (46.20miles per hour) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
2. Robby Gordon, Mooresville, N.C., Chevy CK1500, 9:14:55 (45.87mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 9:17:32 (45.65mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 9:25:30 (45.01mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
5. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:36:17 (44.17mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
6. David Scaroni/Matt Scaroni, Heber, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:47:50 (43.30mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
7. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 9:48:40 (43.24mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
8. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz., Chevy C1500, 9:55:34 (42.74mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford F-150, 9:58:00 (42.56mph) (SCORE Trophy)
10. B.J. Richardson/John Gaughan, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 9:59:30 (42.46mph) (Class 1)