Winston Cup Mailbag: Atlanta

Robby, what does a typical workday include when you're not at the track?

-- Ty Brehm, Irvine, Calif.

I spend my days away from the track doing any public relations or marketing duties I need to take care of. Sometimes I'm testing the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for an upcoming race or having team meetings or de-briefings at Richard Childress Racing. I also have several sponsor appearances during the year for Cingular. I also do some stuff with my off-road truck and plan for tests and future events with my truck. I'm never sitting still.

	Robby Gordon

There has been a lot of discussion about the length of the NASCAR season. Some feel it is too long. Where do you stand on the debate? Would you like a shorter season?

-- Erin, Muncie, Ind.

I don't think it's too long, but it is definitely a long season. But I think that's what makes Winston Cup racing what it is. The sponsors can be involved for the entire season, and our season is just about the longest of any sport in the country. At times when you're running poorly, it seems too long but when you're running well, you wish it could go on forever.

Having raced competitively in several different series over the years, which do you feel takes the most preparation time on the part of the driver?

-- Rory Gentry, Indianapolis

The off-road series requires the most preparation time for the drivers because we have to know the course before we get there. It's a 1,000-mile course with one driver, so you have to use your co-driver to build the race course notes so you know where you're going.

Being such an expert on road courses, have you ever tested in an F1 car? If so how was it?

-- Mike Andersen, Las Vegas

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I've driven F3000 cars years ago. I've been around F1 cars many times, but the fastest thing I've ever driven is an Indy car by far.

Robby, why is it that off-road racing doesn't get as much attention as motorcross, NHRA, or other types of racing?

-- Carlos Tames, Tijuana, Mexico

We're working on getting the off-road series more exposure and making it more fan-friendly. It's not very fan-friendly now, and that's why it doesn't get as much attention. The spectators only see the car go by one time. In motocross or NASCAR, you can sit in the stands and watch the cars go by hundreds of times. In the Baja 1000, it's a point-to-point race in which the fans can barely keep up with the race cars.

What was it like working on the 2003 NASCAR Thunder game? Did you have a cold when recording the opening to the New Hampshire challenge?

-- George Mayer, Wayne, N.J.

It's always pretty cool playing those games because it allows us to chill out, kick back and still drive race cars. So, of course, I really enjoy working on them, also. I think I was a bit "under the weather" when we taped those segments.

Robby Gordon drives the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Before arriving in NASCAR's top division, Gordon enjoyed success in the CART Series and off-road racing.

Throughout the 2003 Winston Cup season, Gordon will answer questions from SI.com users in a weekly Mailbag. Enter your question below, and Robby will answer selected questions in the coming weeks.