Robby gordon twitter handle

Robby Gordon

American racing driver

For other people called Robert Gordon, see Robert Gordon (disambiguation).

Robert Wesley Gordon (born January 2, 1969) is an American semi-retired auto stimulate driver. He has raced in NASCAR, CART, the IndyCar Series, the Trans-Am Series, IMSA, IROC and the Port Rally. While no longer competing be next to IndyCar and NASCAR racing, he evenhanded active in top-tier off road motorsports such as BITD, NORRA, and Sever International.

Gordon owns and competes send out the Stadium Super Trucks (SST), fastidious series he formed in 2013 additional whose championship he won in 2013 and 2014. He also operates justness Speed family of brands, which includes the energy drink Speed Energy stroll has sponsored his racing efforts by reason of 2010.

Off-road racing

Gordon, the son work out off-road racer "Baja Bob" Gordon, afoot out competing in off road animate. He won five consecutive SCORE Pandemic off-road class championships from 1986 promote to 1990, a sixth championship in 1996, and a seventh championship in 2009. Gordon also won two championships copy the Mickey Thompson stadium series, join Baja 500 in 1989, 1990, keep from 2005, and three Baja 1000 unite 1987, 1989, and 2006. Gordon likewise participated (and won) the last Total International off road race at probity now closed Riverside Raceway in 1988.[1]

Gordon had continued off-road racing throughout fillet career in Champ Car and NASCAR. In 2005 Gordon took part rafter the famous 16-day Dakar Rally, on the go for the Red Bull sponsored Volkswagen team. He became the first Dweller to win a stage in influence car division. He won two subtraction in total and a 12th unseat division finish. In 2006, Gordon took part in the Dakar Rally unadorned a Hummer H3. Team Dakar Army did well until stage 9, what because a damaged radiator caused late newcomer at Atar, Mauritania, and subsequent feebleness. Gordon and co-driver Andy McMillin won the trophy truck class in description 2006 Baja 1000, finishing second panoramic in the race. After that, Gordon competed in his third Dakar Experiment in 2007, driving the Monster EnergyHummer H3 for Team Dakar USA. Earth finished in the 8th position, emperor best finish in this race. Diadem current trophy truck sponsor is Quickly Energy and drove his Monster Enthusiasm truck in the 2007 Baja Cardinal with a second overall finish. Gordon's sisters Beccy Gordon and Robyn Gordon competed in the 2006 Baja Thou on the all-woman team All-American Miss Racing.

Gordon raced in selected Traxxas TORC Series events, including the 2010 AMSOIL Cup World Championship race disparage Crandon International Off-Road Raceway.[2] He ornery the first lap of the bend before retiring with mechanical difficulties.

Gordon finished 3rd in the 2009 Port Rally in South America, where position event was moved after terrorist threats led to the cancellation of probity 2008 event. He finished 8th change into the 2010 Dakar Rally in Southerly America with his Monster Energy business. He was excluded from the 2012 edition after stage 10 for outlawed modifications of his engine.

Stadium 1 Trucks

Main article: Stadium Super Trucks

In June 2012, Gordon announced that he was founding and owning a stadium business racing series of his own, elite the Stadium Super Trucks, based departure the stadium truck racing concept dash by Mickey Thompson. The series ran its first season in 2013.[3]

A hit the highest point of drivers affiliated with Gordon's tight Cup Series NASCAR team such monkey P. J. Jones for example,[4][5] followed Gordon to race in the 1 Trucks.

Gordon won the inaugural Sphere Super Truck championship in 2013, from one side to the ot seven points following a year-long conflict with former Mickey Thompson Off-Road collaborator Rob MacCachren.[6]

Gordon's series was renamed journey Speed Energy Formula Off-Road in 2014.[7] He won a second championship prowl year with six wins and uncluttered 75-point advantage over Sheldon Creed.[8] Become absent-minded year, the series also made secure X Games debut as part take off X Games Austin 2014, where Gordon finished third and won a auburn medal.[9] He medalled again in 2015 as he scored a silver.[10]

Since 2015, the series started expansion overseas, anchoring man a race in Australia at authority Adelaide 500.[11] Later in the gathering, Gordon also participated in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain.[12]

During blue blood the gentry 2017 and 2018 seasons, SST with the Confederation of Australian Motor Cart (CAMS) clashed on various instances. Get going June 2017, the night following play down SST race at Hidden Valley Type in Australia's Darwin, Northern Territory, Gordon took a truck to a go out of business nightclub and began to perform donuts. A day later, he was summoned to court for violating the city's anti-hooning laws and was fined $4,150 after pleading guilty on four conveyance charges. Gordon defended his action, stating he had asked security guards theorize it was allowed, to which they agreed.[13] CAMS subsequently revoked Gordon's jogger visa for future events, indefinitely suppressive esp of pri him from racing in Australia.[14] Quaternity months later, Gordon issued an vindication to CAMS and donated $10,000 converge the Australian Road Safety Foundation, derivative in his visa ban being lifted.[15] In 2018, the series was against the law by CAMS for safety reasons people a wreck at Barbagallo Raceway prowl sent a truck's wheel into span vacant pedestrian bridge; despite legal bask in from Gordon, SST lost the case.[16][17] CAMS ended the ban in 2019 as the sanctioning body and Gordon formed a three-year commercial rights compact, branding the series' Australian operations illustriousness Boost Mobile Super Trucks; the another Australian championship began in 2020.[18][19]

IMSA

In 1990, Gordon began racing sports cars. Grace won races in both Trans-Am become more intense IMSA Camel GT, where he confidential four consecutive class wins in authority 24 Hours of Daytona from 1990 to 1994, and three consecutive 12 Hours of Sebring class wins.

Open-wheel racing

Gordon's first start in the Drag IndyCar series came in 1992. Fillet first full season and Indy Cardinal start would come in 1993 occur to A. J. Foyt's team. He raced for Derrick Walker from 1994 tip off 1996. With Walker, he captured coronate first career pole in 1994 (Toronto), and both his CART career achievements in 1995 (Phoenix and Detroit). Set out 1999, Gordon fielded his own order in the series with little happiness as the Toyota power the side used was still sub-par in reputation.

Gordon raced 10 times in greatness Indy 500 from 1993 to 2004 fielding his own team in 1999, 2000 and 2004. He, along toy John Andretti, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch are the only four drivers to race in the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 in the precise day. In 1999, Gordon came private one lap of winning the Indianapolis 500, driving his own car benefactored by John Menard. After racing laborious all day, he was in primacy lead and trying to conserve stop fuel to finish the race left out a final pit stop, but sovereignty fuel ran out coming out govern turn 3 on the penultimate length and he had to give twisted the lead to Sweden's Kenny Bräck.

During his time in open-wheel, Gordon earned a reputation as a solid and sometimes overly aggressive racer. According to Gordon, though his decision supplement leave open wheel was based expressly on "safety concerns",[20] significantly more dizzy an explanation to Gordon's estrangement outlandish top-tier opened-wheel racing in North U.s. is directly attributable to a high-profile incident during the 1996 Grand Prix of Cleveland, where Gordon was evidenced to have exited his vehicle mid-race, after a mechanical failure, and determine standing atop his car, Gordon kicked the Ford Motor Company logo brawl live national television. Gordon and Walk through drudge would not make amends until 2007, when Gordon's NASCAR team switched visit the manufacturer.[21]

In 2001, Gordon, following government departure from Morgan-McClure Motorsports, re-joined Foyt's team for the Indianapolis 500. Goodness team was a joint venture amidst AJ Foyt Racing and Richard Childress. With the car, Gordon qualified turn the front row and dominated anciently on before strategic pit stops confused him to mid-pack by the over and over again the race was over. It was one of Gordon's best performances immaculate the Indianapolis 500, and it consequent opened up the doors for Gordon to join Childress' Busch team afterwards that year.

Stock cars

Gordon made her majesty debut in stock car racing contain November 1990 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, driving for Junie Donlavey in rank Automobile Racing Club of America term finale; he finished 21st, but unclean heads by winning the pole merriment the event.[22]

NASCAR

Cup Series

Gordon's Winston Cup initiation came in 1991, driving two races, including the Daytona 500 for Junie Donlavey in the No. 90 Filmmaker. In 1993, Gordon drove the Clumsy. 28 Texaco-sponsored Ford for Robert Yates Racing at Talladega in the team's first race after the death check driver Davey Allison. In 1994, Gordon drove in one race for Archangel Kranefuss starting and finishing 38th old Michigan. In 1996, Gordon raced change Charlotte in what was one jump at the first starts ever for Valley Earnhardt, Inc. He also raced parallel Rockingham and Phoenix for Felix Sabates. Gordon's first full-time ride came dupe 1997 with Felix Sabates' Team SABCO. Gordon raced in 22 starts keep an eye on SABCO, and captured the pole outside layer Atlanta. He also finished fourth popular Watkins Glen, his only Top 10 finish of the year. In 1998, Gordon ran only one race, seep in the #96 CAT car for Buz McCall, at Sears Point. He common to NASCAR full-time in 2000, attempting to run his own team. Adjust, the results were disappointing; he ineffective to qualify for several races give orders to finished with only two Top 10s in 17 starts.

Gordon started greatness 2001 season driving for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in the No. 4 Kodak-sponsored Chevrolet, but was replaced by Kevin Lepage after only five races.[23] Gordon shared to racing in a one-off understanding with Ultra Motorsports, where he replaced the team's regular driver Mike Insurrectionist in the No. 7 NationsRent-sponsored Filmmaker for the June race at Sears Point. Gordon was leading that marathon near the end, but was passed by Tony Stewart, when Gordon many times fought to hold off a lapped Kevin Harvick, which gave Stewart high-mindedness chance to overtake Gordon and standin the race.

Later in the aforementioned season, he joined Richard Childress Animate as a replacement for an bruised Mike Skinner. In the rescheduled interval finale at New Hampshire, Gordon was engaged in a closing-laps battle obey eventual champion Jeff Gordon (no relation). With 16 laps to go, king Jeff Gordon (who ended up valuable 257 of the 300 laps) was stuck behind the 12th place Clumsy. 77 car of Robert Pressley exasperating to stay on the lead flap, with Robby right on his verify. In the middle of turns yoke and four, Robby gave a enlargement to Jeff while he had slowed down to try and pass position lapped car of Mike Wallace, carriage him into Wallace's No. 12 van and inflicting damage on the 24 car. Jeff was black flagged measurement attempting to retaliate under caution, humbling Robby went on to earn cool controversial first career victory.[24][25] The cuddle, which had originally been scheduled joyfulness September, was postponed after the Sept 11 attacks, and after the page Gordon announced he would donate talented his winnings to the victims bear witness the 9/11 attacks.

Gordon continued run to ground race for Richard Childress Racing provide 2002. He crashed in the Daytona 500 and had a string ad infinitum poor finishes in the spring. Do something performed well at Sonoma and moneyed the most laps at Watkins Coomb with 21 and finished third. Pacify had a Top 10 run at the same height the Bank of America 500 nevertheless crashed in a 10-car pileup which also collected teammates Jeff Green folk tale Kevin Harvick. Gordon finished 20th tag the final points standings, which was, at the time, his highest wind-up position in his career.

In 2003, Gordon broke out and compiled cap best season statistically. He finished 6th in the Daytona 500 and top off 10th in the Aaron's 499. Lighten up also led 29 laps at Richmond and finished fourth in the rain-shortened race. Then, he earned his control road course win at Infineon Chute, after a controversial but legal relay under caution of his then-teammate, Kevin Harvick. Gordon continued running well meanwhile July, finishing seventh at Chicagoland, enjoin then sixth at the 2003 Shop 400. Gordon took his third vocation win later in the year pleasing Watkins Glen. He, Jeff Gordon, Cultured Stewart, and Kyle Busch are decency only drivers to win both technique course events (at Infineon Raceway enjoin Watkins Glen) in one season on account of the two became part of excellence current Sprint Cup schedule. Part freedom the reason for Gordon's success jacket 2003 was his pairing with Kevin Hamlin, a veteran crew chief. In spite of his success with Hamlin, RCR replaced Hamlin with crew chief Chris Naturalist for 2004.

2004 was a enormous disappointment after the 2003 campaign. Take up again Andrews, Robby Gordon had a list of races in which he reach the summit of at the back of the universe. His first Top 10 finish strain the season was the spring subtext in Darlington, and then had spiffy tidy up series of DNF's. His best races, as expected, were at the secondrate course races and the restrictor-plate races. He led 22 laps at Talladega before finishing fifth, and then energetic 16 laps at Watkins Glen, animate Tony Stewart for the win heartbroken in the race. He then was involved in a controversial incident mess up Greg Biffle at Loudon that wild to NASCAR slapping the No. 31 team with a two-lap penalty, adroit $15,000 fine and a 50-point discontinuance in the point standings, and further led to the team putting Gordon on probation.

While having a evil Cup Season in 2004, Robby Gordon and John Menard restarted their devastation Xfinity Series team, Robby Gordon Motorsports, in which they fielded the lone No. 55 Fruit-of-the-Loom-sponsored Chevrolet, supplied tough Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines. The No. 55 Busch Series team, which competed notes 25 of the 34 scheduled races, performed so dramatically well, that Robby and Menard decided to field dignity team in Cup for 2005. Discredit Richard Childress asking Gordon to endure on RCR, Gordon announced in put up 2004 that he would be coruscate his own Nextel Cup team, loftiness No. 7 Jim Beam-sponsored Chevrolet.

For 2005, Gordon moved his Busch Series team up to the Nextel Cup, and was the only owner/driver left. Gordon's primary sponsor was Jim Beam Bourbon; his crew chief was originally Bob Temple before he was replaced by Greg Erwin. Fruit robust the Loom was the primary source for nine races in the 2005 season. His friend John Menard locked away his hardware corporation, Menards also pass on sponsors, as well as Harrah's. Gordon again struggled as an owner/driver, closing with only two Top 10s exclaim 29 starts and failing to water down for several races.

In 2006, Gordon's team used engines from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and showed slight improvement take up the previous year's performance over illustriousness first few races. He performed spasm at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, modification and finishing in the Top 10 in both races. For the 2007 season, Gordon switched to the Writer Fusion, with engines supplied from Roush-Yates. He started his season with trig 15th-place finish in the 2007 Daytona 500, and picked up a scarce Top 10 finishes, before he difficult a break-out race at Sears Arrange in which he qualified second, outside a race-high 48 laps, and hone 16th. He had two Top 10s by year's end, and finished Twentysixth in points.

On February 1, 2008, Gordon said he would go withstand Dodge in 2008, marking his Ordinal change in as many years. Filth also announced a technical, manufacturing become calm marketing services agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. After dropping to 33rd love points, Gordon announced he would background running Toyotas in 2009, which would be his fifth change in whereas many years.[26]

Gordon competed in fewer races in 2010, as Jim Beam frank not renew its contract. In Oct, he founded Speed Energy as smart means to generate funding for RGM.[27] The team finished 34th in 2009 owner's standings. In January 2010, Gordon formed an alliance with BAM Green, his sixth change in six existence. In 2010, with Ted Musgrave swing, his team failed to qualify wristwatch Pocono, the first time since magnanimity 2005 race at Texas. He do well at Sonoma in the Toyota Save Mart 350 and ended net second to Jimmie Johnson, which bound 1 some part-time sponsorship for RGM. Neat penalty involving another team moved greatness No. 7 back into the Suspend 35. Due to a commitment stop off Argentina, Bobby Labonte drove the Negation. 7 at Loudon. P. J. Designer and Kevin Conway have also joint the No. 7; Gordon entered unornamented No. 07 car for a release of races.

He secured a favour to compete in the 2012 Daytona 500,[28] but poor performance resulted reconcile Gordon racing only at Phoenix current the road-course race at Sonoma. Let go failed to qualify for early-season races at Las Vegas and Fontana. Fighting that point, sponsorship money dried in doubt, and Gordon's team made no extremely starts in 2012.[29] By 2013, Gordon's NASCAR career ended, as he was unable to attract sponsorship for weighing scale more NASCAR seasons.[29] The No. 7 was taken by Dave Blaney follow Tommy Baldwin Racing. In 2013, Gordon officially closed his NASCAR team spartan Charlotte and changed his shop forth form the Stadium Super Truck serial.

Xfinity Series

Gordon's first Busch Series approach came in 2001 when he ran 3 races for Richard Childress Motivate in the No. 21 Rockwell AutomationChevrolet. His best finish was 5th dead even Watkins Glen International.

In 2004, name a 4-year hiatus, Robby Gordon soar longtime partner John Menard, Jr., going on their own program, Robby Gordon Motorsports, letting Gordon return to team deed for the first time since their failed Cup team in 2000. Class primary sponsor was Fruit-of-the-Loom, and depiction team was supplied by Richard Childress Racing, Gordon's Cup team at grandeur time. The brand-new team selected honesty #55 and Gordon would drive reaction 25 NBS races. With the #55, Robby Gordon earned numerous top-ten finishes, nearly won the restrictor plate Busch races that year, and earned get someone on the blower win which came at Richmond envelop the #55 Fruit-of-the-Loom Chevrolet. From 2004 to 2010 drivers that have obsessed for Robby Gordon Motorsports included PJ Jones, Bobby Labonte, David Gilliland, Kevin Conway, Scott Wimmer, Reed Sorenson swallow Johnny Sauter. The #55 performed straight-faced tremendously well that, even though honourableness original plans for 2005 was equal run a full Busch Series term, Gordon chose to move the band up to the Cup Series lay into support from Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith. In 2005, Robby Gordon Motorsports participated in 4 Busch Series Races with two races being on decency road courses in Mexico City, station Watkins Glen, and two being wrong oval tracks. The primary sponsor be unable to find the team for 2005 was Afraid Bull Energy Drink, although Red Bosh would depart at year's end.

Robby Gordon participated in several Busch races in 2006, including a few assistance Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Nationwide team (JR Motorsports). The most notable highlight receive his season was a thrilling second-place finish at Watkins Glen on Esteemed 12. Driving his own No. 7 Chevy, Gordon went door-to-door with Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 39 car for Penske South Racing, presage the final few laps. Gordon gained ground in the chicane, almost ective Busch. The two cars went pell-mell into the grass and dirt, seemingly wrecking each other. Gordon was pleasurable to save his car, as Busch went down the final straightaway engender a feeling of win the race. While being interviewed in victory lane, Busch gave Gordon praise for a great race prep added to said it reminded him of king race with Ricky Craven at Darlington in 2003.

In 2007, Gordon nonpareil had a few top tens be thankful for the NBS and came near call on a win at Montreal before paper disqualified by NASCAR for ignoring fastidious penalty. He was further in cause offense when he reacted to the bane by intentionally crashing Marcos Ambrose give way to retaliate for a previous crash – an action that denied Ambrose (who dominated the race) the win near got Gordon suspended from the Precipitate Cup Race at Pocono the adhere to day. A backup driver and skin texture of Gordon's friends, P. J. Designer took over for Gordon upon ruler suspension. Gordon, to make up financial assistance the incident, gave Ambrose a unproblematic race for RGM at Watkins Dingle International the next weekend to shake to and fro his first Sprint Cup start nevertheless because of rain, Ambrose did mewl qualify. Gordon, his sponsors and fans have said to this day cruise he won the 2007 NAPA Cardinal but nonetheless have accepted the penance. In 2010, Gordon announced that blooper made himself a banner and juryrigged trophy similar to the NAPA Cardinal trophy saying he won the 2007 NAPA 200 and when asked because of reporters about how he was skilful to recover in 2010's Montreal perfect Gordon chuckled and said "You armed since I won? We've still got the banner hanging on our rotate. We came back for redemption, remarkable we'll do the best job phenomenon can."[30]

On March 28, 2008, Gordon prep added to the No. 22 Supercuts Dodge Cast of Fitz Motorsports joined forces disperse a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after driver Mike Felicity left the team to drive influence No. 1 Chevrolet owned by Book Finch. As of the press help Gordon is slated to drive both the Phoenix and Texas Nationwide Entourage events in the No. 22 passenger car.

While driving part-time for Fitz, Robby Gordon also drove a couple races for RGM. Gordon drove his Negation. 55 Mapei/Menards Dodge in the Chicagoland Race in July. He also begun the Watkins Glen race in diadem No. 55 Jim Beam Dodge limit 2nd place and finished in Ordinal position.

In 2009, Gordon cut queen Busch season to just one sui generis incomparabl race, at Watkins Glen. There, sharp-tasting drove his No. 55 Hard-Rock Motel car at the 2009 Zippo Cardinal. Starting 3rd, he was briefly plod contention for the win, until sharp-tasting tangled with Joey Logano with 7 laps to go. He finished Ordinal.

In 2010 he drove the Thumb. 07 Menards Toyota in the All over the country series at Montreal as part be more or less his alliance with John Menard safe RGM. It was the first throw a spanner in the works since 2007 that he drove power Montreal due to his altercation be a sign of Marcos Ambrose (see below) due communication having made amends by skipping honourableness next races at the track. Significant dominated the last 20 laps footnote the race but ran out cut into fuel with two laps to think no more of handing the win to colleague pro Boris Said and resulted in integrity top 20 in the finish.

In 2011 he drove his No. 77 Mapei car at Montreal. He in the buff 5 laps but broke down cheat engine failure, finishing 31st.

Craftsman Commodities Series

Gordon has run 4 career Creator Truck Series races with one top-5 and 2 top-10 finishes. He has run for Team SABCO, Bobby Port Racing, and Morgan-Dollar Motorsports.

Other racing

Gordon competed twice in the Race stencil Champions, first in 2001 in Nanna Canaria, where he broke the sweep time record. In 2014, Gordon competed in the Nations Cup for Group Americas alongside 2014 World Touring Motor car champion José María López.[31]

In May 2017, while the Stadium Super Trucks were at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth, Gordon made his Aussie Racing Cars first performance. He shared the No. 57 motorcar with fellow SST driver Sheldon Creed; the car was usually run in and out of Bill Hynes, but Hynes wished closely focus on SST.[32] Gordon finished one-eighth after starting last.[33]

Controversies

Robby Gordon has antiquated involved in numerous controversies throughout culminate racing career. In the 2001 Newborn Hampshire 300 the race was not on time due to the 9/11 attacks talented Jeff Gordon clinched the 2001 Pot championship the previous week at Siege. The race was held the daylight after Thanksgiving in 2001 and Gordon driving the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing car, after Mike Skinner chose to retire from RCR for blue blood the gentry rest of the season due converge injuries sustained at Chicagoland and Richmond, won his first race in nobility Cup series after an incident exempt Jeff Gordon: with 16 laps stop by go Jeff was leading and desirous to make his points lead pull out in his inevitable margin against Silk-stocking Stewart by winning the race however Robby in the No. 31 horde up to second place and thankful slight contact, getting Jeff Gordon loosen, and therefore giving Robby the mid. Jeff was angered and rushed polish to Robby under caution and retaliated by trying to cut down Robby's tire but was black-flagged before closure could make a second attempt extract get to the No. 31's fatigue. Jeff served a one lap forfeit, still won the championship and managed to race in the middle go together with the pack. Jeff would eventually lessons his way back up to dialect trig 15th-place finish. Robby on the ending restart pulled away from Sterling Billfish and won his first cup approve of and first victory on an egg-shaped in the NASCAR Cup series. That win gave Robby the No. 31 RCR car for a multi-year display after 2001. Jeff when interviewed fetid that he should have not archaic penalized and publicly retorted to Robby that he should have been strained to have won in the blow up that the finish was; Robby voiced articulate in reply that he Jeff "should be embarrassed for retaliating like recognized did."[34]

In the 2003 Dodge/Save Mart 350, Gordon was eager to try spokesperson his second cup win in interpretation No. 31 RCR Chevrolet. Prior pre-empt the race, Gordon was vomiting vary food poisoning yet still ended Jeff Gordon's streak of domination at Sonoma for 6 years by dominating glory race. Coming to the caution find out 38 laps to go, Robby Gordon took advantage of his teammate courier friend, Kevin Harvick by passing Harvick in turn 11 under caution elitist in the final laps was use your indicators to hold off Jeff Gordon oblige his second cup win in significance No. 31 RCR team and government first cup win on a commonplace course. Harvick ultimately finished 3rd. pass under caution was ridiculed stomachturning Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and a sprinkling other drivers because while the case was legal it was considered "ungentlemanly". However, NASCAR declared Robby Gordon laugh the winner and in reply register the ridicules he received from Jeff Gordon, NASCAR fans and Robby held "He's won enough of these characteristics, and I guess he doesn't all but it when someone else rains convenience his parade." This comment led NASCAR to give Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon warnings to resolve their differences.[35]

During the 2005 Daytona 500, NASCAR penalised 10 race teams. Gordon's new Pollex all thumbs butte. 7 team was among them. Emperor crew chief Bob Temple was hard-working $50,000 and Robby was deducted look up to 25 driver & owner points manner an illegal unapproved installation on top racecar. With no owner points add up fall back on, as his band was brand-new, Gordon didn't qualify sustenance the 2005 Daytona 500 due appoint the penalty.

During the 2005 steer of the Sylvania 300, Gordon was involved in a wreck with Archangel Waltrip, the driver of the Thumb. 15 NAPA Chevrolet. The angered Gordon got out of his totaled vehivle and threw his helmet at rectitude No. 15 car as it was passing by. Tony Stewart's No. 20 missed the helmet just seconds end it hit Waltrip's car. When Dangerous interviewed him about the crash, explicit stated "You know Michael, everybody thinks Michael's a good guy. He's whimper the good guy like he in actuality is. The caution was out meticulous he wrecked me and he's clean up piece of shit." TNT apologized preventable his language, and Gordon apologized back end the race, but Gordon was hard-working $50,000 and docked 50 drivers doorway. When asked by some people demand the helmet, Gordon decided to sale it for the benefit of position Harrah's Employee Relief Fund, a finance that provides aid to Harrah's officers displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The helmet fetched $51,100, and was purchased bid [36]

During the 2006 Bass Pro Shops 500, he brought controversy by avowedly throwing roll bar padding onto rendering track at Atlanta Motor Speedway, traction a caution flag that had fine significant impact for the end enjoy the race, especially drivers in mineshaft road, most notably NEXTEL Cup antagonist Jeff Burton who wound up wind-up 13th. Video from the race was not conclusive as to whether sharp-tasting did in fact put debris cap the track but NASCAR reacted disrespect docking Gordon 50 points (each check the Driver and Car Owner categories) and a $15,000 fine. Gordon has denied he intentionally threw the debris.[37]

During the inaugural NAPA Auto Parts Cardinal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007, Gordon was involved in an on-circuit altercation with fellow driver Marcos Father. Gordon passed Ambrose to take honesty lead at the same time likewise a multi-car wreck was unfolding lack of restraint them; Ambrose spun him, under unornamented yellow flag, to reclaim it in short later.[38] After an unusually long get a ride in sorting out the field espouse the restart, NASCAR eventually determined ditch Gordon would restart in 13th event. Gordon, who had a strong exercise all day, refused to go break down that position, and was black flagged after the restart, and after rotating out Ambrose. Gordon did not similarly in for his penalty and was then given the black flag to diagonal white cross, meaning that top subsequent laps were no longer personality scored. As a result, he fully developed 18th. Following the race, Gordon proceeded to do burnouts on the have an advantage straightaway as if celebrating his conquest, alongside race winner Kevin Harvick. Illegal announced in a post-race interview stray he would appeal the result learn the race.[39] However, NASCAR suspended Gordon for the following race at Pocono. In a statement released soon afterward the NASCAR announcement, Gordon apologized presage his actions but maintained that NASCAR made a mistake in telling him to line up in the Ordinal position.[40]

Gordon was docked 100 driver build up owner points as a result pencil in rule infractions during Speedweeks of 2008 at Daytona. Gordon's car was muddle up with an unapproved front bumper regain. His crew chief Frank Kerr was suspended for 6 weeks until Apr 9, 2008, was fined $100,000, stomach placed on probation until December 31, 2008. Gordon was not fined. Gordon appealed the penalty issued by NASCAR in February, 2008. Gordon issued far-out press statement. "This was an irreproachable mistake made by someone not much on our race team. They by chance sent us the new Dodge noses that haven't yet been approved impervious to NASCAR." According to NASCAR Gordon's Move aside nose says Charger, but it job actually an Avenger and it confidential the approved nose's part number. Government department March 5, 2008, the National Untouched Car Racing Commission restored the the setup lost in the penalty and rescinded the suspension of Crew Chief Kerr. In their ruling, the commission further increased the fine to $150,000.[41]

Gordon's off-road finishes have also been the fountainhead of controversy. His second-place finish thwart the San Felipe 250, March 2009, was overshadowed by allegations that on the run a very remote area he veered off course and drove down calligraphic cliff. The maneuver let him circumvent a difficult section of the path, get ahead of another competitor out-of-doors having to pass, and was trig four-mile shortcut. Trophy Truck competitor Malleable Herbst filed a protest,[42] which was supported by evidence from a source crew known as the Baja Fools who had set up a quarry stop in that section of say publicly course. On investigation, two sets disregard Toyo tire tracks (identical to those on Gordon's truck) were found which established the four-mile shortcut.[42] The item was denied[43] based on the certainty that given Gordon's average speed, grandeur four-mile shortcut would not have discrepant the results. After initially filing guidebook appeal of the decision, Herbst, who shares a sponsor with Gordon, vote for to withdraw the appeal and blue blood the gentry results were deemed final.[44]

Likewise, Gordon was initially declared the winner of high-mindedness 2009 Baja 500 on June 6, 2009. However, he was stripped enterprise the title and moved to ordinal place after it was determined give it some thought he violated two rules: one skilful fueling violation, the other a pathway speed violation. A total of Century minutes in penalties were assessed: 90 minutes for the more serious supplying violation where an amateur video unadulterated that he illegally received fuel experience the highway, and 10 minutes verify the speed violation.[45]

Gordon's troubles with NASCAR rules continued in 2009. He was caught with excessive rear toe (angle of the wheels to the car) after the May 27, 2009 Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. This illegal adjustment permits the automobile to carry more speed into rendering corner. Gordon was docked 50 figures and his crew chief was fixed $50,000. Gordon elected not to petition the infraction.[46]

In 2010, the car Gordon owns and drives was found pack up have illegal parts during inspection sermonize May 7, 2010 before a photograph at Darlington Raceway. Gordon was cropped 25 owner points and 25 operator points. His crew chief, Samuel Inventor was fined $25,000 and placed solidify NASCAR probation for the rest rigidity the year.[47] This fine brought Gordon's five year total to $290,000 cashed to NASCAR.

On March 4, 2011, Gordon was placed on indefinite test in NASCAR due to an commotion he had with driver Kevin Conway in the garage area the of the night before.[48] According to published reports, illustriousness two were involved in a trundle over lawsuits each has filed at daggers drawn the other. Las Vegas police entrenched that Conway filed a criminal gripe charging Gordon with misdemeanor battery.[49]

After character August 2011 Bristol race, Gordon confessed that he is now a "start and park" driver and will break free so for most of the vestige of the season.[50] "Start and park" is a controversial practice whereby elegant driver starts the race but as a result immediately parks his car, collecting remain place prize money and protecting circlet car from any on-track incidents. Learn Bristol, Gordon completed only 10 laps but pocketed $85,960.[51]

Although in 2012, Gordon made remarks against past-champion Terry Labonte for "starting and parking" after 12 laps at the Daytona 500 qualify race. As a past champion whose team was not in the Specially 35 in 2011 owner's points, Labonte was guaranteed a start regardless adequate how he finished. Gordon stated: "It's just not right. Why take fastidious free ride when the rest collide us have to bust our butts to get into the 500?"[52] Labonte responded that his team had sole one car and they needed stuff for the race.[53]

Controversy continued to curse Gordon in 2012. While participating reduce the price of the Dakar Rally, Gordon was behave a strong second after nine subtraction before being disqualified after stewards ruled that the tire inflation system trace his Hummer was illegal[54] after on the subject of competitor made an anonymous suggestion proffer the tech inspectors along the assemblage route, where it was called look at question. Gordon stated that if presentday was a problem with the group, he would plug it and do win stages. He did so representation following day, winning the stage gross more than 15 minutes in frontage of the second-place finisher.[55] Gordon was permitted to continue while the vow was appealed to the French Motorcar Sport Federation (FFSA).[56] Gordon's Hummer crashed and rolled over in the bravery dunes of Peru in the second to last stage of the rally (January 14, 2012), but was set back give your blessing to its wheels by spectators and Gordon continued on to a 10th-place cessation of that stage.[57] He then won the final stage the following time, finishing the rally in 5th fix overall.[58] The appeal to the FFSA was denied two months later.[59] Associate Gordon's disqualification was upheld, he was stricken from the race results.[60]

Personal life

Throughout his racing career, Gordon preferred study keep his private life private, come first shared few details about his remote life. Though he has never hitched, he has a son, Max Gordon, from a previous relationship. In 2016, eight-year-old Max competed in a UTV at the Bluewater Desert Challenge trusty Gordon as his co-driver; later hold the year, he became the youngest driver to ever compete and cease the Baja 1000.[61] At the notice of 12, Max raced against tiara father in the Stadium Super Trucks race at Road America in 2020.[62]

In addition to Speed Energy, Gordon owns various companies under the Speed protection such as the UTV manufacturer Dispatch UTV, remote-control off-road truck brand Rapidly RC Cars, and racing tool producer Speed Tools.[63] Gordon co-operates Speed UTV with Todd Romano with consultation evade Gordon's former engine builder Tony Cola; the brand's vehicles receive inspiration breakout SST and IndyCar.[64][65][66] Speed RC Cars has appeared as a sponsor unadorned SST for drivers like Max.[62]

Significant victories

  • 7 SCORE International championships (1986–90, 1996, 2009)
  • 3 time Baja 1000 winner (1987, 1989, 2006)
  • 4 time Baja 500 winner (1989, 1990, 2005, 2013)
  • 9 Dakar Rally custom victories
  • 4 time 24 Hours of Daytona winner
  • 3 time 12 Hours of Sebring winner
  • 3 NASCAR Winston Cup Series achievements (New Hampshire 2001, Infineon and Watkins Glen 2003)
  • 1 NASCAR Winston Cup Gatorade 125 Win (2003)
  • 1 NASCAR Busch Additional room win (Richmond 2004)
  • 2 CART wins (Phoenix and Detroit 1995)
  • 1 2008 Central Accumulation Rally Special wins (Stage 5 Pen 1 winner (1/2 stage) Hummer)

Racing record

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by meet the requirements time. Italics – Pole position earned gross points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Sprint Cup Series