Robby Gordon Mailbag: Help from my friends

Hi, Robby! When you travel all over the country to race, does your team have any local people help with anything while you are in the area?

--Dan Youngs, West Windsor, NY

	Robby Gordon

We do not get a lot of help with the racing side of things or anything like that, but a lot of the guys have friends and family at almost every place we race. So, we often get some good home-cooked meals or special invites to different businesses, such as restaurants or recreational parks and events because of those connections in the areas where we race.

Robby, I know you have a great team working together on the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet team. How many members are on your pit crew and what are their jobs? --Rex Payne, Kennesaw, GA

There are so many people who make the No. 31 Cingular Wireless team go every weekend. I couldn't possibly name them all right now, but the guys who go every weekend behind and over the wall are as follows ...

The following guys, seven total, come in just for the race to go over-the-wall: Josh Yost, jack man; Shane Westerberg, front-tire changer; Mike Barry, front-tire carrier; Aaron Smith, rear-tire changer; Jason Fowler, rear-tire carrier; Larry Hartle, gasman; and Rich Burgess, catch can.

Then, I have nine guys who are at the track all weekend to prepare the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Monte Carlo Chevrolet for race day. That includes: Kevin Hamlin, crew chief; Chris Andrews, team engineer; car chief, Darin Nestlerode; engine tuner, Wes Adams; shock specialist, Dean Johnson; tire specialist, Tracy Ramsey; truck driver and fuel runner, Franky Nester; mechanics, Curt Bowman and Andy Spenner.

Then, don't forget my spotter, Tim Overby and my pit administrator Gary Stoots. Those two guys come in with the over-the-wall guys, too. After that long list, that doesn't include everyone back at the shop in Welcome, N.C., like Ron Otto, who does a lot of the set-up work on the cars; Royce McGee, the Winston Cup shop manager; and Greg Gunnell, who builds my engines. That doesn't even come close to naming everyone. So, it is quite a crew.

Robby, how long have you been using that air chair? I just got an air chair this year and love riding it. --Todd Blouw, Jenison, MI

I have been playing around with that for almost eight years and loving every minute of it. They are really fun contraptions and pretty cool to watch someone use, as well.

Hi, Robby! I met you at the Dover race in June (first in line) and that reinforced why you are my favorite driver. I'm wondering if you think NASCAR should take a closer look at certain nameless drivers who seem to get into or cause something almost every time they race? Gas on and good luck the remainder of the season! --Dave Burns West Hurley, NY

I think NASCAR does pay attention to stuff like that. They will often inflict warnings after someone appears to intentionally wreck someone else, and if it has been pretty obvious someone has been wreckless, NASCAR also will radio during a race to the crew chief and driver, warning them to watch their step out on the track.

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.