Morgan-McClure: Gordon's job not in jeopardy

By Marty Smith and Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
March 3, 2001
3:14 PM EST (2014 GMT)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- Rumors swirled throughout the Las Vegas Motor Speedway garage area Saturday that Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 would be Robby Gordon's last race in the No. 4 Morgan-McClure Chevrolet.

Robby Gordon has two career top-five finishes, both of which came on road courses.

According to a team spokesperson, those rumors are false.

The spokesperson said the team will retain Gordon as its driver, and that rumors of Kenny Wallace taking over the ride are untrue. Also according to the spokesperson, the team is planning to take "return to basics" approach to the rest of the season, beginning with a new chassis manufacturer.

Gordon was named driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet near the end of the 2000 season, and took the wheel full- time at Speedweeks 2001, where he raised eyebrows early by posting the fastest speed in the season's first practice session. Since then, it hasn't been quite so fun.

Gordon was involved in incidents in each of the season's first two races, including a 19-car pile-up that sent Tony Stewart airborne on lap 175 of the Daytona 500. Gordon finished 26th in the Dura Lube 400 and 37th in the Daytona 500.

Gordon had to use a provisional to make Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after he qualified more than 6 mph off Dale Jarrett's pole-winning pace.

“I really don’t know where or how this stuff (rumors) starts,” said Larry McClure, owner of the No. 4 Chevrolet. “I have never had an argument or confrontation with Robby Gordon and I have never even had a thought about replacing him. He likes the team, the team likes him and I have him signed to a five-year contract.”

McClure admitted the team has struggled mechanically so far this year, but is confident they can work through them.

“I know this team is going to work all this out,” he said. “He has blended in with this team very well. It’s been the best transition I’ve ever had as far as changing drivers. We are going to go forward and we’re going to do it with Robby Gordon behind the wheel. ”

McClure has been known to make quick driver changes before. In 1990, McClure inserted a then-unknown Ernie Irvan into his car just three races into the season. Irvan went to win seven races in the No. 4 Chevrolet.

Ironically, Irvan left Morgan-McClure 21 races into the 1993 season to replace the late Davey Allison at Robert Yates Racing.