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ESPN: Robby Gordon faces 8-race season
Uh-oh. From ESPN.com
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Robby Gordon, who has run a full Sprint Cup schedule as a driver/owner since 2006, says he has enough sponsorship for only eight races in 2010.
"I'm looking at a lot of weekends off,'' a frustrated Gordon told ESPN.com on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gordon said he has two four-race commitments from sponsors for next season. One of his major sponsors, Jim Beam, announced earlier in the year that it would not return to the sport.
"Nobody is spending money,'' Gordon said. "Everybody is cutting the fat out of everything. To be in racing you have to be a pretty big company.''
Gordon said many of the larger teams are making deals for well less than the market value because they can afford to, but that runs teams like his out of business.
"It's sponsorship suicide,'' said Gordon, who is 34th in points.
Gordon said NASCAR needs to create a unified marketing plan so every team is on a level playing field. He said there are so many different plans now that sponsors are confused.
He expects to see more start-and-park teams next season than ever, adding he doesn't plan to be one.
"I don't know what we're going to do,'' Gordon said. "We're going to continue to work hard to sell races through March of next year. After that I'm looking at a lot of weekends off.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Robby Gordon, who has run a full Sprint Cup schedule as a driver/owner since 2006, says he has enough sponsorship for only eight races in 2010.
"I'm looking at a lot of weekends off,'' a frustrated Gordon told ESPN.com on Friday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Gordon said he has two four-race commitments from sponsors for next season. One of his major sponsors, Jim Beam, announced earlier in the year that it would not return to the sport.
"Nobody is spending money,'' Gordon said. "Everybody is cutting the fat out of everything. To be in racing you have to be a pretty big company.''
Gordon said many of the larger teams are making deals for well less than the market value because they can afford to, but that runs teams like his out of business.
"It's sponsorship suicide,'' said Gordon, who is 34th in points.
Gordon said NASCAR needs to create a unified marketing plan so every team is on a level playing field. He said there are so many different plans now that sponsors are confused.
He expects to see more start-and-park teams next season than ever, adding he doesn't plan to be one.
"I don't know what we're going to do,'' Gordon said. "We're going to continue to work hard to sell races through March of next year. After that I'm looking at a lot of weekends off.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on
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Yep, Robby owes allot to John and it makes since that if you dont have a sponsor you mine as well advertize Menard, hell he might be helping keep the lights on. It was said that many of those races were last minute deals. It looks as if they might have been, but is was not a finanical deal.
And the Camping World race could have been part of the agreement RGM and CW came up with when RGM sued them. Maybe the plan was they got a race or two this year and then RGM still got the full amount owed last year. Who knows as I am just speculating.
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Permalink Reply by Trooper Blue on
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The Scene article says that there were 11 races that he didn't sell:
"The 11 races he didn’t sell this year were the races at Dover, Pocono, Richmond, Martinsville, California, and one Michigan this year."
Most of those races were Menard's cars with Menard's brands/affiliates on board. But one sticks out. If both Dover races supposedly weren't sold, what was Camping World doing on the car at Dover in September?
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Permalink Reply by Nena Patrick on
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I have faith. Heck if he doesn't get a sponsor he has a spot in the top 35 in points next year, for a team that wants in that could mean a huge pay day to RG. I think he will find something. If anything there would no doubt be truck and nationwide teams drooling to put him in a car/truck. RG will be fine. Look at the press this is getting. If its being talked about work is out he needs a sponsor.
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Permalink Reply by Lance on
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I hope this turns out well but I've been watching Robby and and watching motorsports long enough to know this won't turn out ok. It was inevitable though. Lack of performance will do that. I can only assume that John Menard pulled out. RGM's safety net is gone and all that it's left with is what it's earned. 36 races - 14 races from Jim Beam leaves 22 races. Take away the 11 races that didn't sell this year and that leaves 11 more. Spot was 1, Hard Rock was another and Camping World was the last. that leaves 8 races with Mapei ( I assume) and Polaris. The 11 races that didn't sell this year we obviously on John Menards doller because those are the Quaker State, Pittsburgh Paint etc. races for Menards. Good luck Robby, Nascar needs you but it looks bleak.
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Permalink Reply by Scott B on
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We all knew this was coming. Let's face it...Jim Beam is Robby's only true sponsor and they are leaving.
Sure we have Mr. Menard, and maybe a few 1 or 2 race deals (Polaris)...but he just isn't getting sponsors.
Unless Robby can somehow find a semi-serious sponsor he is in big trouble...if not next year...its only going to get worse.
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Permalink Reply by RG4ME on
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Why couldn't Paul Menard and Robby form a two car team? Seems like a perfect fit.
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Permalink Reply by Alex on
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See this is why i didnt like this article, Menards is most likely gonna be on for 10-18 races next year but they havent signed anything yet so Robby technically has only 8 races signed.
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RG is very smart when it comes to think sorta thing. This news is on all the big motorsports site but NASCRAP at the moment. This is going to get him so much press. It worked of Allmendinger at the start of the season. He is locked into the Daytona 500 and someone will be on the hood forsure. RG will be fine. If he didn't have a car for a road course could you imagine the big name teams offering him a car! I agree with what he says about NASCAR, they have to do something about the cost. Put a cap on the teams. They might say its free market but NASCAR controls everything else. They are making Roush get rid of a team!
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