Gordon sees opportunity in California

FONTANA, Calif. -- He's completed more miles than anyone except Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr., but until now, something has been missing for Robby Gordon.

Gordon is gambling that a new body for his Monte Carlo will provide the difference.

	Robby Gordon

Richard Childress Racing based a lot of its 2003 Monte Carlo body data on an ineffective test at Kentucky Speedway, which put the team in a mind.

Richard Childress Racing is just now starting to catch up as far as the new Monte Carlo is concerned, and for Gordon, it couldn't have come a moment too soon.

"The things that we will have on our car this weekend (will make a difference)," said Gordon, who qualified 26th for Sunday's Auto Club 500. "We have been missing it with (the) body, but we'll be real strong this weekend."

Gordon, sitting 14th in the standings heading into the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, has finished on the lead lap just twice this season -- at Daytona and Talladega.

Gordon's has averaged just a 22nd-place finish in the seven non restrictor-plate races in 2003, but he was 12th at Fontana last year, which helped jump-start his season after a disappointing start.

Gordon is hoping for more of the same in 2003.

"Our goal is to get into the top 10 in points, to prove the naysayers wrong that said I'd never fit into Winston Cup," said Gordon.

Don't change a thing, guys

Jerry Nadeau went out and ran 186.157 mph in the first practice for the Auto Club 500, good for third in the speed chart.

Nadeau ran the exact same time in Bud Pole Qualifying -- pacing the two-mile oval in 186.157 mph, good for sixth.

Second time not a charm for Labonte

Bobby Labonte brought the same Monte Carlo to Fontana that sat on the Bud Pole at Las Vegas in March, but he qualified just 19th at 185.109 mph.

Labonte's record is Fontana is bittersweet -- he's scored three finishes of sixth or better, but he also has three finishes of 22nd or worse.

Briefly

Robert Yates turned 60 last week.........Tony Stewart makes his 150th career Winston Cup start on Sunday.......... Arnold Schwarzenegger will wave the green flag in the Auto Club 500.........Mark Martin has led a lap in all six Winston Cup races at California, but he has failed to finish three times.