Robby Gordon has finished 13 of 23 races this season. Credit: Autostock

Looking ahead, Gordon throws feud to the wind

After Loudon fracas, owner-driver concentrating on results

DOVER, Del. -- Robby Gordon may have a sharp tongue, but he's also got a sharp sense of humor.

Gordon has a new helmet for Dover, and this one reads: "Not to be thrown."

Inside the Numbers Robby Gordon in 2005 Track Start Finish Result Fontana 25 35 engine Las Vegas 27 39 engine Atlanta 26 34 engine Martinsville 43 20 running Texas 33 37 crash Phoenix 43 37 running Richmond 33 31 running Charlotte 25 27 crash Dover 39 29 running Pocono 27 39 engine Michigan 8 39 running Sonoma 5 16 running Daytona 11 26 running Chicago 12 35 running Loudon 31 30 running Pocono 29 40 engine Indianapolis 13 24 running Wat. Glen 39 2 running Michigan 39 30 running Bristol 33 38 oil leak Fontana 24 34 crash Richmond 38 35 running Loudon 19 37 crash Averages 27.0 31.0

Gordon was fined a total of $35,000 and docked 50 points after throwing his helmet at Michael Waltrip last weekend at Loudon.

For the record, Gordon said all is good with Waltrip. The helmet that Gordon tossed is up for grabs on eBay (bidding ends Saturday), and now Gordon is focused on getting his program back on track.

"I am not mad at Michael," Gordon said. "Yeah, I got in trouble for a couple of things I said. Today, it's not that big of a deal. If I hold a grudge against Michael, it doesn't do my team a bit of good."

The crash destroyed a brand-new car -- Gordon said the impact sent the engine through the firewall -- and his team will now have to scramble to build another new one for the circuit's next flat-track event, which takes place in four weeks.

The main reason Gordon became enraged Sunday was because the incident severely damaged his chances of scoring a top-35 points position.

Unless Gordon can rally, he likely will show up at the 2006 Daytona 500 having to qualify on speed. He says his sponsors will return for a second season atop the No. 7 Chevy.

"I am not crying about the money or the car; it's the time," said Gordon, the Nextel Cup Series' only owner-driver. "We're going to push very hard top have a new short-track car for Martinsville.

"When you turn the page on Sunday and look in the back of USA Today, and you see 'Robby Gordon, 37th,' that is embarrassing to us."

And yes, Gordon was sorry he used a profane word on TNT.

"I take full responsibility for what I said. There is desire, competition, and heat of the moment," he said. "Our sport is different than any other sport there is. We're on the field and the game is still going on while we're being interviewed."