Road Course Racing at its finest..

First off.. Congratulations to Robby and the entire RGM Monster Energy Team for a great run at Infineon.. Great to have Gene back on the box for us... He brings so much to the team..

As for the discussion about Robby not being in the car for New Hampshire, I say that is not the worst news possible. Owner points are what matter here. As a car owner, Robby is solidly in the top 35 and just starting the race with PJ in the seat is all that needs to happen in New Hampshire. An added bonus, I don't have to watch the NASCAR race this week.

I personally believe that Robby is the best pure racer in any series on the planet. Unfortunately in today's racing world, it is not about being the best driver. Look at Jimmie Johnson. Put him in the #66 or #38 for a few weeks and see what happens. It is all about resources and money, not about a drivers skills behind the wheel.

I believe the entire RGM Nascar effort is solely about 1 thing-- Robby wants to do things his way, and wants the freedom to do the things he enjoys-- I.E.-- Dakar, SCORE, and his other pet projects. RGM is at a major disadvantage most every time they enter an event on an intermediate track because they don't have some secret underground lab in the hills around Charlotte dedicated to manipulating the system to their advantage. With millions upon millions of dollars in disposable operating funds, is it really any surprise that Hendrick, Gibbs, and RCR win every NASCAR sanctioned event on an intermediate track? PLUS- The races for the most part are an excruciating exercise in absolute boredom!

I would love to see RGM run the entire NASCAR schedule, with a few stipulations. First off, there are a ton of available drivers available to run the car on the intermediate tracks. Nothing against P.J. Jones or Ted Musgrave, but there are a bunch of hungry kids and veterans out there itching for a Cup start. The talent pool is huge in the Nationwide and Truck Series alone. RGM does not have crappy equipment, the guys in the shop build great cars. Start testing the waters. Let a guy like Ron Hornaday or Mike Skinner or Justin Algaier make a start. Or whomever. With that being said..............

Heres what I would love to see happen-- I would love to see Robby build some IndyCar pieces. What could Robby accomplish on the road courses/street courses on the Izod IndyCar circuit? A series where the driver means a bit more than driving around in a circle for 500 miles. I firmly believe that Robby "could" win multiple events in multiple series and still have the freedom to do off-road/rally/monster truck whenever he pleases. How about a Monster Energy effort for a handful of races on road courses/street courses in the IndyCar series? I know if they built some good cars, Robby would be on the podium and/or in Victory Lane!! I realize it is expensive-- But just sayin...

This is just one die-hard fans humble opinion-- however unrealistic.. :-) It just sucks when you see Robby on these boring ass intermediate tracks 4 laps down knowing full well he's not being outdriven-- but being "out-resourced" by the so-called "super-teams".

This last weekend is a really prime example of what a great driver Robby really is. I look forward to Infineon, Watkins Glen, and the superspeedway events every year as my "superbowl" events. Events where it is about the driver and the strategy, not about how much money your team has at its disposal...

Can't wait for Watkins Glen, I am fully confident Robby can bring the #7 to Victory Lane

-- GAS ON!!!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on June 22, 2010 at 9:46am

I think what you are proposing will eventually happen, but the Cup effort needs to get better income. For that to happen Robby needs to be in the seat. For now. If a full-time sponsor could be found for the #7, Robby could certainly cherry pick events, either driving the primary car or a second one. He could also give more attention to other programs, like a Indy car effort. I think it's getting close, but it's all about the money right now. Gotta be in the top 35 to get the money.

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Permalink Reply by Bigzoom on June 22, 2010 at 10:04am

I think your driver sub list needs a little more thought...

Ron Hornaday is a Chevy man, doubt he will drive a Toyota. Mike Skinner (?) Really...kinda had his chances already with Top tier equipment. Justin Algaier is under contract with Penske.

Some better names (IMO) would be Aric Almirola...he's on fire in the Truck Series, had a year at DEI to get his feet wet and looks to be really getting confident now. Brian Ickler, yes he drove for RGM once but was barely in puberty then, Roush and others see the talent he has so it might be hard to lure him away from bigger teams, but he would be a good choice. Then Brian Scott or Timothy Peters would be a good to go after. Just a thought!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Lomino on June 22, 2010 at 12:17pm

I was just busting a few veteran names out there, thanks for the background on those guys. They obviously would not be the best choices based on your info. My point being, the talent pool is out there. I guess I was really disappointed in the choice of Ted Musgrave at Pocono to qualify the car. Not anything against him personally, I know he worked with Gene in recent times. I think Aric is a great choice along with a host of other guys. I know it sounds like I am throwing PJ under the bus, but I think it should be about what is best for RGM and the future of the Nascar program. It is also an obvious fact that the epicenter of RGM is Robby Gordon, as it should be. I am just looking forward to the day when Robby can as RGFan77 stated, "cherry pick" events from other series such as IndyCar, where we all know he can bust some ass, and not have to worry about the fate of the Nascar effort. As the best pure driver in motorsports, I would love to see Robby attack select events in IndyCar and his best tracks in Nascar. I know that Nascar is better with Robby in the mix, as it would be in the IndyCar series. Ultimately I just want to see him compete in a venue where he can truly compete to win each and every week.