Robby 41st in First Saturday Practice, up to 37th in Happy Hour.

Looks like he's down towards the bottom of the sheet. First Practice 41st at a 24.52 (146.837 mph)
In happy hour, was 37th at a 24.372 (147.710 mph). Anyone think he can get a decent finish?

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Permalink Reply by jack on May 30, 2009 at 4:45pm

yes.. I still think he can get a decent finish. Even though he didn't put down a fast lap. his lap time on older tires were pretty good. the first practice today TOG said he ran on old tires the whole time.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Cartwright on May 30, 2009 at 5:41pm

I'm predicting a frustrating day

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 30, 2009 at 5:47pm

Sadly, I agree with you Derrick, I think it will be a frustrating day with a finish between 30-35 honestly, but you never know.

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Permalink Reply by cody on May 30, 2009 at 6:03pm

Very frustrating to see him that low on the speed chart , but still think he can pull out a top 25 "C'MON ROBBY"

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Permalink Reply by TOG on May 30, 2009 at 6:29pm

Today I learned something at practice. Times can sometimes not tell the entire story.The last few runs RG did, he was backing off at certain times, trying all sorts of different lines, and was seeing how his times were on tires that already had "x" amount of laprs on them. They were getting things setup for long greens runs. The car is still a bit loose, and the last changes the guys did may have solved that problem. Robby was in very good spirits after happy hour practice. Doug,Kirk and Robby really seem to work great together, from what I saw today.

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Permalink Reply by TobaccoRoad on May 30, 2009 at 6:46pm

Thanks TOG, I am looking forward to tomorrow!!

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Permalink Reply by Country Boy on May 30, 2009 at 7:43pm

So what exactly is Doug's role with RGM right now?

Also, TOG, do you know if Rob plans to test at the Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC. I saw on Jayski where Tony Eury is going to "oversee Jimmie Johnson's road course testing" i.e. something to do for now - and the 48 is scheduled to be there on Tuesday.

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Permalink Reply by TOG on May 30, 2009 at 7:50pm

RGM's road course testing venue is Road Atlanta

Doug is helping the team this week, with spotting , amoung other things. Doug has seen a race or two over the years...lol...

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on May 30, 2009 at 8:05pm

As bad as I don't want to say it, it doesn't loook good for Robby tomorrow with all the practice times and qualifying results!!! I hate to say that opinion but unless he can pick some speed up somewhere, it want take long to get lapped tomorrow to make it a long day for him!

His a thought about his equipment, I know he has good cars at times, but I would love to see another good driver get into Robby's stuff and test it for him and see how they do in it as do the opposite as Robby get theirs and see how he does in it. Doubt that would ever happen, but it would give Robby a good observation to where his equipment is and to show whether it's the driver, cc, or whatever else to give Robby some help on how to better his team.

I love pulling for Robby, but it just is mind boggling to why Robby runs so poorly sometimes when he has the funds and equipment to do show and then see others without that stuff out qualify and out run him at times.

Probably rambling on, but just the way I feel today thinking tomorrow will be a long day for the Richmond Water Heaters #7.

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Permalink Reply by gorobbygo7 on May 30, 2009 at 8:18pm

no offense onebadsob, I think I wil listen to what TOG has to say as he was at the track and has better information

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Permalink Reply by TOG on May 30, 2009 at 8:33pm

onebadsob- listen to me. At the END of practice today, on older tires, his times were getting better the longer he ran. The car is still too loose, and they finally got it to tighten up a bit. Not saying he is going to dominate, but he will pass cars tomorrow and will not be as bad as you think. If I didn't see and hear stuff with my own eyes and ears, i would also think it would be a long day. The day that Robby needs to put somebody else in the car to get it going, is the day he better retire. Only .6 tenths of a second difference from 1st to 40th today on fresh tires. They ended practice on a good note. Enjoy the ride.

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on May 30, 2009 at 11:08pm

don't worry, i'll be enjoying the ride right on my couch tomorrow pulling for robby all the way but i was not trying to cause any problems with my statement, i'm not there so i do not know. just stating that i hope he has the speed to stay on the lead lap early on and does pass a lot of cars tomorrow!

about putting somebody else in the car, just saying like a test session. kinda like kyle busch getting in joey's car at that one race to give him feedback on it to see what it needs if it needs anything during practice or something!

by the way, thanks for all the pics and info coming from dover you are providing TOG!!!! :)