Robby Gordon Mailbag: Success a team effort

I wasn't a big Robby Gordon fan until I met you in Atlanta this March. During that first meeting there weren't that many fans in line for your autograph. In August when I was in your autograph line there were a lot of people who have - Jenny Terry

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I think it's a combination of me making myself very available to the fans and the improved performance of the Cingular Wireless team.

Hey Robby, great job this season so far. I just wanted to know how much you like Phoenix and if you expect to do well there this fall? --John Paul

I really like racing at Phoenix International Raceway. I won my first Indy car race there and I think it's a place that the Cingular Wireless team can win a Winston Cup race at. We've been very competitive there recently and hopefully, this year won't be any different.

Robby, I must say that you've done a great job this year. And congratulations on your two victories! With that said, and assuming Kenseth holds on (I surely think he will) for the points championship this year, who do you consider as the top contenders for the title going into next season? Will it be a different champion, such as yourself, Newman, Johnson, or maybe Dale Jr., as it has been for the past four years? One final question: How far away are we from seeing "soft walls" at all the NASCAR tracks? --Wray Brawley

I think you have to look at any of the teams currently in the top 20. That's the way Winston Cup racing is. There are 25 teams any given weekend that can win the race. I don't think soft walls are too far off and I think NASCAR is doing a good job of making smart decisions as quickly as necessary but without making rash decisions. They're putting a lot of thought into the situation and getting a lot of input.

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I have been a fan of yours for years. I see that you and Jeff Gordon seemed to have gained a mutual respect for one another now that time has gone by this year. Racing is racing and both of you drive hard and have a great desire to win. Now that you run toward the front almost every race do he and the other drivers give you more respect? --James Benge

Not really, unfortunately.

Of the Baja 1000, the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500, which is your favorite race and why? --Mark Balsavage

I like all three and I'm fortunate enough that I can race all three and be competitive with a chance to win at all of them. That's the most important thing that makes them all fun for me.

What experiences from off-road racing or CART have helped you the most in NASCAR? --Mark Hooper

My CART experience helps me in the technology department and the off-road series has helped me with the tube chassis. I understand what it takes structure-wise to make a good car and we're working really hard at RCR. With input from me, Steve and Kevin, we all put our heads together on a weekly basis to make our team more competitive each week.

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.