Robby Gordon Mailbag: On the double

After racing in both IRL and NASCAR, what is the biggest difference between an IRL car and a Winston Cup car? Which is more difficult to drive?

	Robby Gordon

-- Colin Frey

Everything is different, from the cars' weight to tires to grip to downforce. The way in which the two types of cars stop and accelerate is also different. The most important thing is that you have to drive both cars on the ragged edge to be competitive. There's nothing that the two really have in common except they have four tires and an engine.

After seeing Tony Stewart pull off the Indy/Charlotte Double twice with impressive results, does that make you want to run the double even more? Do you feel you have to sort of "beat Tony" at this?

-- Jeff Cunningham

Tony's success in the Double has absolutely nothing to do with me wanting to do it again. I want to do it for myself because I love running in the Indy 500 and also love driving the Cingular car. I did it last year and finished eighth at Indy, even after a pit fire, and then went on to finish 16th at Charlotte. I think we would have had a better finish at Charlotte if I had taken IV fluids and not had those severe cramps. I just want to beat my personal best finish each time I do the Double.

I am a big fan of yours, first in Indy cars and now with NASCAR. I will be attending the Indy 500 for the 32nd time. I am wondering if you will have tee shirts about you doing double duty? If so, where can I get one?

-- Jim Thompson

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Wow, you've been to the Indy 500 more times than I have, for sure. That's great. Yes, I am having Double Duty T-shirts made again this year and they're going to be available on my Web site in the next couple of days. Go to www.robbygordon.com and check them out. Thanks for the support -- and enjoy the day at Indy.

I'm 11 years old and love NASCAR. I got to meet you at Texas, which I could not have had a better day that day. I'm a big fan of Dale Jr., you and the rest of DEI and RCR. When you came from almost four laps down to lead at RIR, I was screaming, jumping up and down, just plain going nuts. How in the world did you keep from giving up when you were almost four laps down?

-- Abby Van Duker

We knew the Cingular Wireless car was going to be good because it was so strong in Happy Hour the day before. That's why we couldn't believe it when it was so loose after about five laps into the race. I knew I was going to wreck it if we didn't pit and we did so, hoping it was a tire problem, which it was. Immediately I realized that the Cingular car was the fastest one out there and if we just played it patiently, we could make up some laps and come back. We consistently were able to pull out in front of the leaders and get laps back. We were also able to stay up with them in case the caution came out and we could get another lap. Team Cingular just had to focus and we knew we'd be there in the end.

What's up with John Andretti's attitude? What he said about you driving Michael's car in the doubleheader was uncalled for. Was he wishing you to get hurt? Is there bad blood between you and John, or is he just hurt from not getting the ride?

-- Shannon Hamrick

I'll admit I was a bit surprised by John Andretti's comments, but I think he was just upset because he really wanted to race in the Indy 500 this year. I understand his disappointment, but there's definitely no bad blood between us. And I don't think any driver ever wishes another driver would get hurt. I just think he spoke without really thinking his thoughts through.

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Congrats on securing a ride for the Indy 500. My question is related to preparing yourself physically to complete the Double. I'm concerned the usual pre-race turkey sandwich may not be enough for you to make it the distance. I've heard some athletes use strategies such as IV fluids or eating foods like bananas for the potassium content before or during long events. Have you ever tried these types of things to increase your ability to keep from cramping? Best of luck to you in both races.

-- Penny Huling

I will definitely not rely on my usual turkey sandwich before the Double on May 25. The turkey sandwich only works for 400-mile or 500-mile races. Last year, I didn't take the IV on the airplane between Indy and Charlotte and really regretted it when I got terrible stomach and leg cramps about 300 miles into the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. I won't make that mistake again. I am planning on taking IV fluids on the plane, as well as plenty of water and sports drinks and probably a banana, also. I'm going to be prepared this year so I can give my best effort to the Cingular team when I get to Charlotte.

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.