jcollins28
05-10-05, 11:40 AM
Since Robby did not qual last week we did not have anything to talk about. So we can chew on this for a bit.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 9, 2005) – Robby Gordon Motorsports will take its No. 7 Jim Beam Chevrolet to Richmond International Raceway this weekend with a new crew chief and a new team manager/car chief.
The roles will be assumed by Greg Erwin and Frank Kerr respectively. Erwin began his duties as crew chief last week, and Kerr, who returns to RGM after serving as the team’s car chief last season, starts today (May 9) after observing at Darlington.
“Among the many things we have learned over the last 10 races is that there is no substitute for proper preparation and attention to detail,” said John Story, general manager of Robby Gordon Motorsports. “We were clearly one of the better cars at Darlington during Friday’s practice session, and then made a series of mistakes to the car while prepping it for qualifying. We took what should have been a top-10 qualifying effort and a car and driver capable of racing for a top-5 finish and missed the show. What happened there is inexcusable and shouldn’t happen at this level of competition.
“Twice we failed to qualify (Bristol and Darlington) because of careless mistakes made to the car between practice and qualifying, and that will not be tolerated. We have made other mistakes during races that have caused poor performances, and Robby and I have charged Greg and Frank with making sure these same mistakes, or any like them, don’t happen again.”
RGM is in its first season of competition in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series after performing solidly last season in the NASCAR Busch Series.
“We recognize that the level of competition is much higher in Cup than the Busch Series,” Story said, “but it isn’t so much tougher that we should be performing as we are. As in any other professional sport, it’s the little things that make a difference, and the little things have been spelled out and will be attended to by everyone in the organization.
“As a brand-new team, we knew coming into this season that we wouldn’t threaten for a championship in our first year, and we knew that we wouldn’t lead the Series in wins. However, we obviously expect to perform better than we have, and our goals for the season are still attainable. By bringing in Greg and Frank we will accomplish our objective of being a top-20 car each week and winning one or more races. Once we become a top-20 team, we’ll work on becoming a top-15 team, and then a top-10 team. When we become a top-10 team, we will contend for championships; and with the changes we have made this week I honestly believe that is a realistic expectation over the next two or three seasons.”
Following Richmond, Fruit of the Loom will return the track as the primary sponsor for the NASCAR Nextel Open at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 21, and again in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 9, 2005) – Robby Gordon Motorsports will take its No. 7 Jim Beam Chevrolet to Richmond International Raceway this weekend with a new crew chief and a new team manager/car chief.
The roles will be assumed by Greg Erwin and Frank Kerr respectively. Erwin began his duties as crew chief last week, and Kerr, who returns to RGM after serving as the team’s car chief last season, starts today (May 9) after observing at Darlington.
“Among the many things we have learned over the last 10 races is that there is no substitute for proper preparation and attention to detail,” said John Story, general manager of Robby Gordon Motorsports. “We were clearly one of the better cars at Darlington during Friday’s practice session, and then made a series of mistakes to the car while prepping it for qualifying. We took what should have been a top-10 qualifying effort and a car and driver capable of racing for a top-5 finish and missed the show. What happened there is inexcusable and shouldn’t happen at this level of competition.
“Twice we failed to qualify (Bristol and Darlington) because of careless mistakes made to the car between practice and qualifying, and that will not be tolerated. We have made other mistakes during races that have caused poor performances, and Robby and I have charged Greg and Frank with making sure these same mistakes, or any like them, don’t happen again.”
RGM is in its first season of competition in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series after performing solidly last season in the NASCAR Busch Series.
“We recognize that the level of competition is much higher in Cup than the Busch Series,” Story said, “but it isn’t so much tougher that we should be performing as we are. As in any other professional sport, it’s the little things that make a difference, and the little things have been spelled out and will be attended to by everyone in the organization.
“As a brand-new team, we knew coming into this season that we wouldn’t threaten for a championship in our first year, and we knew that we wouldn’t lead the Series in wins. However, we obviously expect to perform better than we have, and our goals for the season are still attainable. By bringing in Greg and Frank we will accomplish our objective of being a top-20 car each week and winning one or more races. Once we become a top-20 team, we’ll work on becoming a top-15 team, and then a top-10 team. When we become a top-10 team, we will contend for championships; and with the changes we have made this week I honestly believe that is a realistic expectation over the next two or three seasons.”
Following Richmond, Fruit of the Loom will return the track as the primary sponsor for the NASCAR Nextel Open at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 21, and again in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29.