Chat Transcript: Robby Gordon

May 24, 2001
3:00 PM EDT (1900 GMT)

Nascar_Host1 Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Robby Gordon!

Robby_Gordon Welcome to everyone! Thanks for being part of my chat today and allowing me to come on and give you the inside track.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: conseco How does it feel to know that you'll finally be starting the Indy 500 from the front row?

Robby_Gordon It is very exciting to be involved with all the front row stuff but starting is exactly what it is -- starting! We have a long day ahead of us and we have to make a lot of smart decisions throughout the race and we want to positions ourselves to be in victory lane at the end of the day. That is the part that really, really matters. Thank you.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: hey How do you feel about your chances for a win this weekend?

Robby_Gordon I feel my chances are pretty good, like the last few years at the Indianapolis 500, but we are going to have to be very careful, organized, and not make any mistakes for the full 500 miles.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: Indyrulz How did you prepare yourself physically for this race?

Robby_Gordon I am not as light as I would like to be today, but mentally I am ready.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: chevyfan2424 Hey Robby, any truth to the RCR rumor about you driving Winston Cup for him next year?

Robby_Gordon That is a new one to me so far! I would like to be able to comment on something like that, but that is new to me still.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: NASCAR-Sunny What was the atmosphere like at Indy on bump day?

Robby_Gordon I would have to say this year Indy bump day was as exciting and stressful as I have ever seen it in the past. I believe the Indy 500 has the most competitive field they have had (as far as teams and drivers) since the 1995 Indianapolis 500 when the split happened. Unser, Andretti, De Ferran, Castroneves, and a lot of other good guys like Greg Ray, Scott Sharp, Vasser, Tony Stewart, Ganassi, Foyt, and the list goes on. It is back. Indy is definitely back.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: foytfan If you were still on a Winston Cup team, would you drive in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 this weekend?

Robby_Gordon Yes, I would have. I had a lot of fun and a lot of enjoyment doing that.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: robbiefan Talk about your relationship with A.J. Foyt.

Robby_Gordon A.J. has taught me a lot about Indianapolis. We've gotten along well, we have been fast, and the chemistry has been very, very good. I am very excited and happy about the Indianapolis 500 in 2001 with A.J. Foyt.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: dalejr_fan Robby, what do you think about Tony Stewart running in both the Indy 500 and the Coke 600? Do you think he can successfully pull it off?

Robby_Gordon It depends on what it means by "pull it off." Tony is a very good and competitive racecar driver. To pull off two victories will be very difficult, especially with the field at Indy this year.

We obviously know how competitive Winston Cup is week in and week out. Physically I think he has it, and mentally I believe he is there. Hopefully our #41 Conseco team stands in his way at Indianapolis. I wish him a lot of luck.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: racer1 Did you have any other deals cooking outside of the #4 at the beginning of the season?

Robby_Gordon Yes. The #66 Todd Bodine ride with Carter/Haas. I seemed to make the wrong decisions again, but it is OK. I am over that situation and have moved on and wish the #4 team a lot of luck in the future.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: RG#41 What do you like to do before a race to mentally prepare yourself?

Robby_Gordon It is nice to have a little piece of quiet right before the storm!

Nascar_Host1 Question from: wallace2 Have you been watching and/or keeping up with the Winston Cup?

Gordon lasted just five races with the Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet.

Robby_Gordon Yes. Every week I pay attention what is going on in Winston Cup. Being in racing it is important to see what is going on in Winston Cup, CART, IRL and F1 just to stay on top of things.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: robbyfan In light of all the different types of cars you have driven, how much time does it take to adjust from one type of car to another?

Robby_Gordon It obviously takes the time to get the comfort level there but I have been fortunate in my career to drive a lot of different cars.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: RUSTYZMYMAN WHAT KIND OF SAFETY DEVICES DO YOU WEAR?

Robby_Gordon I wear Simpson equipment with a HANS device.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: dalejr_fan Robby, what do you think about Sarah Fisher and her qualifying at the Indy 500?

Robby_Gordon I think a lot of Sarah Fisher as a driver and of Derrick Walker as a team owner. He has a knack about this place and she is doing a great job. I wish her all the luck and a safe and successful 500 as well.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: jarettfan Are you going to participate in Baja 2001?

Robby_Gordon There is the Baja 500 on June 1st that we will compete in. We will also be at the Baja 1000 in November with a black CD-2 truck.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: tooly How did your Indy ride come together with A.J. Foyt?

Robby_Gordon A.J. wanted to run a minimum of two cars and he called up. I had experience with him before, and hey, I knew it would be a good opportunity.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: nascarlver What's something in your motorhome that would surprise most people?

Robby_Gordon I have a Sony Playstation in there. Gran Turismo with all the hot rod cars is fun.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: Blood_Sweat_n_grease All of us greasers wanna know, Robby -- What's the last CD you bought? What kind of music gets you ready to race?

Robby_Gordon Limp Bizkit! My way or the highway! HAHA

Nascar_Host1 Question from: frano If you could design your perfect track, what would it look like?

Robby_Gordon It would be the Indy 500 with jumps! HAHA And in dirt of course! Put bricks back on half of it and take the asphalt out. "Run what you brung" kinda car!

Nascar_Host1 Question from: JG24 Are there any other sports you like to participate in besides racing?

Robby_Gordon I love water sports. I get a huge thrill out of wakeboarding, water skiing and water sports.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: dalejr_fan Robby, do you have a preference of either driving in Winston Cup or the open wheel cars?

Robby_Gordon I just love to race. I really enjoy racing, and racing to win.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: robbyfan I know you have had lots of rides and lots of years racing, but can you name one favorite ride or series year that sticks in your mind for no other reason than fun?

Robby_Gordon I think it would have to be 1995. 1995 was a fun year. We had a competitive Indy car ride, raced IROC, where we finished 2nd in that Championship.

We won Indy car races and ran 5 off-road races that year, and won races in that series as well. We had a lot of fun and did what we wanted to do. That was 6 years ago and I need to get back to having fun again.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: robbiegordon What kind of impact has the death of Dale had on you?

Robby_Gordon I think it was a wake up call to all of us, just how quickly the whole thing could change. We take ourselves serious about what we do -- crazy.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: rustyfan111 Robby, how does the fatigue in a Cup car compare with an Indy car?

Robby_Gordon Very similar. The Cup races are like the Indy 500 every weekend because a lot of them are 500-milers. You are both physically and mentally drained every race, especially if you have an ill-handling car.

Nascar_Host1 Question from: CARTFAN What do you do on non-race weekends to hone your driving skills?

Robby_Gordon I like to drive go-karts, play video games, and water ski. I just like doing fun, exciting, challenging things.

Nascar_Host1 That's all the time Robby has for us today. Thanks Robby! What are your final thoughts?

Robby_Gordon First I want to thank everybody for paying attention and being involved with what I am doing. I appreciate all the excitement and look forward to having a very competitive, fun 500 miles at Indianapolis.

I just want to let everyone know that I have moved on from the #4 program with no hard feelings and wish them a lot of luck and I look forward to racing them in the future. Thank you.