2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes – Robby Gordon Open Interview – NASCAR Media Day
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
Denny Darnell
Scott Sebastian
Dodge Motorsports PR
NASCAR Media Day
Daytona Int’l Speedway
Robby Gordon Open Interview
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
ddarnell@darnellcommunications.net
ssebastian@darnellcommunications.net
http://twitter.com/teamdodge
www.media.chrysler.com
ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 SPEED Energy Dodge Charger) CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH DODGE? “I want to start off and tell you how excited I am about this opportunity. AT RGM (Robby Gordon Motorsports), we haven’t had a factory program for two years. We kind of rode it out with Toyota, but it wasn’t a factory program. We really didn’t get any help and that’s the truth of the matter. The motors were good. I don’t have any complaints about the motors or the way that the program went. They had their priority teams prior to us rolling in. My Gillett-Evernham program that was a Dodge program before was all through Gillett-Evernham.
“When I went to their (Chrysler) facility 65 to 70 days ago, I was thoroughly impressed. One, with what they are producing for cars. Second, what their facility is compared to the other two in Detroit. Whoever hasn’t been to Dodge, it’s a beautiful facility. They have all the tools to do what they need to do. I feel with guys that they have in charge with Ralph (Gilles, president and CEO of Dodge) and Bryan (Viger, Head of Dodge Motorsports), and all the guys in the motorsports program, I’m excited about the direction that they’re headed with Dodge and there is multiple opportunities with Robby Gordon Motorsports.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT USING PENSKE ENGINES? “The best that we ran with the COT is when I had my split with Gillett-Evernham. I knew I wasn’t going to partner with them. I bolted a Penske engine and we ran in the top 15 pretty much every week. I’ve known Roger (Penske), heck, for my whole career. I’ve idolized him and love the way that he runs his programs. I respect him tremendously. He’s the Captain. Back when we raced Indy cars he was the top, top team that everybody idolized. I had one opportunity to drive for Roger and I choose the Felix Sabates stock car program because I thought that was right direction for my team, for me as driver at that time. Roger’s cars handle on the straightaway. You have to handle on the straightaway. When 85 percent of your lap at most NASCAR races is full throttle, you better handle on the straightaway. The new Dodge engine (R6P8) that they came out with last year, the way that they ran being the two fastest cars here in Daytona (during speedway test), I’m excited about the package that I picked.”
HOW MUCH DID YOU HAVE TO SELL DODGE ON YOUR PROGRAM? “This program actually started about a year back. If Penske would not have reduced down to two cars, there wouldn’t have been an opportunity for me just because they (Dodge) had their program. When that happened, it opened up a great opportunity for us. We get to play in the ‘Fast and the Furious’ program with them which fires out the whole month of April which is perfect for SPEED Energy. SPEED is about a fast and speedy lifestyle.”
DID YOU GET TO WALK THROUGH DODGE’S WIND TUNNEL WHEN YOU VISITED DETROIT? “I toured the place when I negotiated our deal. They were unveiling to their employees their new vehicles. So it was perfect because I got to see their new product line coming out not only for 2011, but what was coming out for 2012 and 2013. They’ve got some very exciting cars on the horizon.”
WHAT DOES YOUR 2011 CUP SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE? “It’s an interesting question. Last year Jamie McMurray started off a little uncertain on how their program was going to be. It’s just amazing how a good result at Daytona can change your season one way of another. Right now, I’m gonna say that we’re good for 18 NASCAR events. There are other things that I want to do. It’s not that I don’t want to race. There’s other event that I’d like to do. With my specialized situation that happened with SPEED, that put us back about 60 days. That probably jacked our Indy 500 program. We’re really starting to gain some momentum. We’re (SPEED Energy) selling product and that’s a good thing. We’re gaining more distribution on a daily basis and we’re kind of controlling our own destiny. Our program is different with sponsors than it was before. We’re really not selling sponsors, we’re selling, ‘Hey, the spots next to Red Bull and Monster. Those are the spots that I want on your shelf and I’ll give you Daytona.’ So we’ve been able to do deals with GNC. We’ve done deals with Basha’s. We’ve signed up multiple, multiple Budweiser distribution deals. Our product is just starting to roll again. We control our own destiny. I am the driver. I am the owner, kind of the sponsor, except for our sponsorship with Dodge. We can be as creative as we want to do.”
Denny Darnell
Scott Sebastian
Dodge Motorsports PR
NASCAR Media Day
Daytona Int’l Speedway
Robby Gordon Open Interview
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
ddarnell@darnellcommunications.net
ssebastian@darnellcommunications.net
http://twitter.com/teamdodge
www.media.chrysler.com
ROBBY GORDON (No. 7 SPEED Energy Dodge Charger) CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH DODGE? “I want to start off and tell you how excited I am about this opportunity. AT RGM (Robby Gordon Motorsports), we haven’t had a factory program for two years. We kind of rode it out with Toyota, but it wasn’t a factory program. We really didn’t get any help and that’s the truth of the matter. The motors were good. I don’t have any complaints about the motors or the way that the program went. They had their priority teams prior to us rolling in. My Gillett-Evernham program that was a Dodge program before was all through Gillett-Evernham.
“When I went to their (Chrysler) facility 65 to 70 days ago, I was thoroughly impressed. One, with what they are producing for cars. Second, what their facility is compared to the other two in Detroit. Whoever hasn’t been to Dodge, it’s a beautiful facility. They have all the tools to do what they need to do. I feel with guys that they have in charge with Ralph (Gilles, president and CEO of Dodge) and Bryan (Viger, Head of Dodge Motorsports), and all the guys in the motorsports program, I’m excited about the direction that they’re headed with Dodge and there is multiple opportunities with Robby Gordon Motorsports.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT USING PENSKE ENGINES? “The best that we ran with the COT is when I had my split with Gillett-Evernham. I knew I wasn’t going to partner with them. I bolted a Penske engine and we ran in the top 15 pretty much every week. I’ve known Roger (Penske), heck, for my whole career. I’ve idolized him and love the way that he runs his programs. I respect him tremendously. He’s the Captain. Back when we raced Indy cars he was the top, top team that everybody idolized. I had one opportunity to drive for Roger and I choose the Felix Sabates stock car program because I thought that was right direction for my team, for me as driver at that time. Roger’s cars handle on the straightaway. You have to handle on the straightaway. When 85 percent of your lap at most NASCAR races is full throttle, you better handle on the straightaway. The new Dodge engine (R6P8) that they came out with last year, the way that they ran being the two fastest cars here in Daytona (during speedway test), I’m excited about the package that I picked.”
HOW MUCH DID YOU HAVE TO SELL DODGE ON YOUR PROGRAM? “This program actually started about a year back. If Penske would not have reduced down to two cars, there wouldn’t have been an opportunity for me just because they (Dodge) had their program. When that happened, it opened up a great opportunity for us. We get to play in the ‘Fast and the Furious’ program with them which fires out the whole month of April which is perfect for SPEED Energy. SPEED is about a fast and speedy lifestyle.”
DID YOU GET TO WALK THROUGH DODGE’S WIND TUNNEL WHEN YOU VISITED DETROIT? “I toured the place when I negotiated our deal. They were unveiling to their employees their new vehicles. So it was perfect because I got to see their new product line coming out not only for 2011, but what was coming out for 2012 and 2013. They’ve got some very exciting cars on the horizon.”
WHAT DOES YOUR 2011 CUP SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE? “It’s an interesting question. Last year Jamie McMurray started off a little uncertain on how their program was going to be. It’s just amazing how a good result at Daytona can change your season one way of another. Right now, I’m gonna say that we’re good for 18 NASCAR events. There are other things that I want to do. It’s not that I don’t want to race. There’s other event that I’d like to do. With my specialized situation that happened with SPEED, that put us back about 60 days. That probably jacked our Indy 500 program. We’re really starting to gain some momentum. We’re (SPEED Energy) selling product and that’s a good thing. We’re gaining more distribution on a daily basis and we’re kind of controlling our own destiny. Our program is different with sponsors than it was before. We’re really not selling sponsors, we’re selling, ‘Hey, the spots next to Red Bull and Monster. Those are the spots that I want on your shelf and I’ll give you Daytona.’ So we’ve been able to do deals with GNC. We’ve done deals with Basha’s. We’ve signed up multiple, multiple Budweiser distribution deals. Our product is just starting to roll again. We control our own destiny. I am the driver. I am the owner, kind of the sponsor, except for our sponsorship with Dodge. We can be as creative as we want to do.”
Views: 332
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Short Bus on
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I would guess Jeep would be the most likely of the Fiatsler brands to see Dakar action. Dodge doesn't really have any presence outside of North America, but Jeep is sold in Europe and South America, which are the biggest markets that are interested in Dakar. GM doesn't really do much with trucks/4x4s outside of North America either. So it would make sense to have Jeep sponsorship at Dakar instead of the defunct Hummer brand. The Grand Cherokee would be a natural choice. It would be wise of RG to try to start selling the idea to Chysler and hopefully next year he can be in a better position ($$$$) for success. This years effort seemed to be an organizational cluster.
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Permalink Reply by Blues on
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I am happy for Robby, and also bcuz there's a Dodge in my Garage. I can sport a Dodge shirt and not be automatiaclly tagged as a KB or BK fan too....
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on
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That is great that RGM is back in the Dodge camp. The factory support will definitely be appreciated for the cup program. After which race in 2008 did RGM start working with Penske? Seems like I remember RG getting a couple top 20's during that time, and he was qualifying closer to the front too. Hopefully that little bit of time working with Penske will translate into RGM being a little ahead in regards to the Dodge... the wind tunnel results will be beneficial to their effort as well (guessing a thank you to Dodge is in order for footing the bill for testing).
Not sure if running the cup program under the Dodge banner will mean RGOR will switch over to the Dodge camp as well. But there are a few intriguing possibilities and I'm sure Robby will do whatever that makes the most sense for the off-road team. I'll be the first to say however that a Dodge Ram body on the RGM Speed Energy monster truck would look snazzy in front of all those rabid monster truck fans.
There's a few questions I have that will have to wait to be answered for 2011. Will RG find a way to get behind the wheel of an Indy car for the 500? If so, will it be a Penske entry (I hope so)? There's gonna be cup races that RG will be running other events, will we see Sam Hornish behind the wheel of the #7 (it'd be nice to get feedback from another former Indy star about the car)? Besides the full Score series and perhaps a couple TORC races, is Robby considering any other events? How about the X-games? What other surprises does RG have in store for us?? Time will tell I guess, in the meantime I guess I'll just keep supporting Speed Energy twelve ounces at a time....
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Permalink Reply by Michael Kozlowski on
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Can't REMember exactly when RG went with Penske in 08, but I think it was towards the very end of the season, like only for the last few races, after Kirk had already taken over.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on
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Robby leased engines from Penske staring with the Kansas race ( last 8 races)
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Robby Gordon's 2008 with Dodge
Look like RG got an 8th at Talladega and a 19th at Atlanta with Penske power..
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Permalink Reply by Matt Gruber on
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Kevin, I may be wrong, but I cannot believe there isn't more to this deal that will come down later. Why would Dodge give full-backing to a part-time team? I think we will see Hornish in the car at some point, unless RG gets off to a great start and runs beyond the first 5 races as planned. That might not be 'the plan' right now, but we all know that RG will not hesitate to call an audible.
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Permalink Reply by Wheaton56 on
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yeah, I think is cool he got alot of wind tunnel time, But wind tunnel time for a part time team seems like money out the window. I just hope he can run all the races...if not my yard will be much nicer this summer
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Permalink Reply by speedy7 on
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after watching todays practice, dodge driver did'nt get much help, don't know being the only one out there..
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Permalink Reply by Keith Stone on
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The 7 is FULL TIME Cup in 2011.. watch..
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I have a feeling about that 2 but i hope he trys the double 500 and 600!
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