No recourse for the antics, Robby ... but I understand

He flagrantly violated the rules, drove recklessly and then proceeded to claim victory. Yet I'm going to walk out on that limb and stand up for him ... well, sort of.

In defense of Robby Gordon, I'm going to paraphrase comedian Chris Rock. Basically, I'm not saying he should have done it ... but I understand.

Beau Estes co-hosts the Jack Daniel's Post-Race Show with Nikki Alexander. It can be seen following every Nextel Cup race live on NASCAR.COM.

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Mike Helton was as right as Pat Robertson when he said, "The end result is NASCAR has got to maintain law and order." There is no questioning that concept and Robby Gordon was wrong for turning the final laps of the Busch Series race in Montreal into an expo of sheer madness and chaos ... but still, I understand.

Marcos Ambrose has every right to be as mad as a hatter and in fact he might be headed in that direction. "I'll be in therapy for two years," said the man who came from half a world away for this type of competition.

Had NASCAR actually enforced its ruling and physically moved him (which would have been interesting to see) back to 13th, Gordon wouldn't have been in position to maniacally turn the Aussie Ambrose into a Vegemite sandwich -- spinning him off the lead with two laps to go. Gordon was wrong and later admitted it ... but in the heat of the moment, I understand.

Finally, Gordon was way out of bounds for disobeying the direct order of the NASCAR officials who told him to move back to the 13th position. No matter how ridiculous the ruling may have seemed (and at the time the ruling appeared about as awful an idea as an all-male wait staff at a Hooters restaurant) Gordon races in the world of NASCAR and if drivers don't obey NASCAR's rules then we might as well shut the thing down ... still though, Robby, I understand.

Before I explain my position on this let me first say that I indeed did watch the race live and was as shocked and confused as everyone else. In fact, immediately following the post-race interviews I started dialing my NASCAR cohorts. I recounted the events to the Jack Daniel's Post Race Show's producer, Deaton Bell, and asked him to make sure I wasn't overreacting. Let's just say that Deaton had a harder stance on the issue than I did. There was no doubt in his mind that Gordon should and would be parked and in the end he was proven right. (read more)

Immediately after the ruling came down that sat Gordon for the race in Pocono I started receiving e-mails from outraged fans. That trend hasn't stopped even as I write these words. Therefore, what I have tried to do is look at the events from Gordon's perspective. The following is what I've come up with:

First of all though, let's not deny that Gordon is one of the most accomplished drivers in American motorsports. Anybody who has won in the Nextel Cup Series, led until the last lap of the Indy 500 and in 2005 became the first American to win a stage in the Dakar Rally has some driving chops. Still, in NASCAR he is perhaps a bit of an outsider at this point. He races in the Nextel Cup circuit with his own one-car team which is an uphill struggle for anyone and can perhaps (I'm speculating here -- and trying to understand) create an "us against the world" mentality.

So with that in mind, imagine that you are Robby Gordon and you've finally caught the fastest car on the track in Marcos Ambrose and taken the lead by any means necessary. Moments later Ambrose spins you out -- you're furious, but Ambrose is gone and you have no recourse ... no, wait a minute, behind you a caution has occurred and you've been given new life.

According to Gordon, he was first told he would restart in the lead. Great news -- it's gonna be a green-white-checkered flag and Gordon is in the pole position.

Hold on Robby, NASCAR here and we've done some re-calculating and you are now going to start just behind Mr. Ambrose -- not the best thing he's heard all day -- but anybody who has led an Indy 500 race can surely make up one spot over the final two laps.

Right and wrong

Celebrating a win that wasn't was a mistake on Robby Gordon's part. He knows that. He also knows NASCAR made mistakes that day in Montreal.

• Complete story, click here
• Video: Gordon, NASCAR react
• Video: Wild finish in Montreal
• Gordon gets fine, probation

Sorry, Mr. Gordon -- it's us at NASCAR again -- we've dug up a rule that states that "a driver must maintain a cautious pace to be scored." Somehow, I think it's hard to maintain a cautious pace when you've been spun out like a moth in a tornado.

Worse still is that looking at the replays, there is no doubt in the world that Gordon was spun under caution! I'm not kidding -- do yourself a favor and go find the replay. Check out the ESPN bug -- the caution is out on its screen and Gordon is still running fine -- then moments later he gets bumped in clear view of a yellow flag. Can't we at least throw the guy a freakin' bone? Also, please don't say it's "just one of those racin' deals." If I never hear that expression or "that's just Manny being Manny" again the world will be a better place.

Here is where it gets interesting, though. Gordon has just been told that even though the race is under caution with him in at worst second, he is losing spots -- all the way back to 13th. It's that rule about "cautious pace" haunting him when in fact, he got spun by a not-so-cautious Ambrose.

Now there is a choice to be made. Gordon can either: follow the rules, go back to 13th, file a useless and meaningless protest and no doubt, have the whole event forgotten about; or he can take a stand. Remember, he's completely ticked, he feels he's been wronged on a technicality that NASCAR dug up and he won't have a chance to even the score against the man that took a win from him. Keep in mind, at latest check, Gordon is a human being and does experience actual emotions.

Gordon decides to take a stand and in his own words, this is the stand he took:

"Obviously I objected, and I stated that I would complete the race under protest. I believed that my protest would be a foregone conclusion if I moved to position 13. I was confident that most people who watched the race or see the replay would agree that I should have been scored in first or second. I also wanted to make sure that the race played out the way it should if the officials ultimately agreed with me after seeing the tape and granted my protest. Therefore, I decided to preserve the status quo by holding the second position and racing from that position to the end of the race."

Again, I'm not saying I agree with what Robby did and he certainly was not in the above crystal-clear frame of mind ... but after reading this statement, I really understand.

The funny thing is that if you look on his Web site, Gordon declares that racing "kept me out of trouble." Now the renegade one-car Nextel Cup driver and owner has ripped the bad boy mantle clean out of the hands of Tony Stewart and the Busch brothers. That trio now looks like choir boys next to Rebel Robby ... but still, given the events that led to the problem, more than ever, Robby Gordon, I understand.

Question of the Week

Survey time folks! This means more work for me, but I don't care. Let me know what you think but start with a simple yes or no. The question is: Was Robby Gordon treated fairly by NASCAR? I can't wait to see the e-mails. Send your e-mails directly to my inbox at Beau@Turner.com.

Last week's Question of the Week

History was on my mind last week. I wanted to know if fans thought that the Hendrick Motorsports drivers would win six of the remaining races in the season and eclipse the single-season percentage of owner victories in the Modern Era.

The people have spoken and the answer in a somewhat closely contested debate is ...
• Yes: 56 percent
• No: 44 percent

I must admit that all of these votes came prior to Kurt Busch's victory at Pocono so now the numbers are slightly more difficult but still, to me, this would be a remarkable achievement.

Here are the best responses ...

I am in no way an HMS fan. I will be though when Junior arrives there next season. But I will have to say yes, HMS will break the percentage of wins for a team this year. [Jeff] Gordon and [Kyle] Busch will win more races. Hendrick has been dominate this season doing everything they needed to do.
Misan from Maryland

I really respect someone who admits they are not a fan of a team, but respects what they do enough to appreciate that team's greatness.

Not this year, but next year with Dale Jr. driving for HMS, it should happen!
Larry from Idaho

If HMS actually improves next year on the track, fans of other teams might just start mowing their lawn on Sunday's during the race. Personally, I can't see them doing much better. No disrespect to Junior, but everything has worked out quite well for the HMS boys to this point, thank you very much.

Yes!!! I cringe when I say this but Gordon, Johnson and Kyle Busch are three of the top-10 stock-car drivers in the world. Now, you add Casey Mears into the mix, and you have one heck of a great chance at breaking many Modern Era racing records. The reason I "cringe" is because I am a fan of Dale Jr. As you know, any fan of Dale Jr. really dislikes his future teammates.
Mike from Staples, Ontario, Canada

As with all great debates in NASCAR -- no matter how the question is framed -- the subject always seems to return to Dale Jr. Someday I'll find a question that will beat the system. Feel free to send your suggestions my way.

Chat Room Chatter

The best of the week that was from a very spirited Jack Daniel's Post Race Show:

Junior will pass Kurt no problem.
Tammy from Bristol, Tenn.

No problem? A rocket couldn't catch Kurt at Pocono.

NASCAR should fine and suspend NASCAR officials for the bum call they made in Montreal. Robby Gordon should have won the race. Nice job, NASCAR.
Brad from Las Vegas

I honestly believe Brad speaks for the majority (but not all) of the fans. NASCAR did follow the rules, but its interpretation certainly didn't satisfy its followers.

Do you guys think Dale Jr. will make the Chase?
Louis from Rhode Island

For me, if I say yes to this, the question becomes: Who misses out on the Chase?

I think the battle for the last spot will come down to the two top drivers from DEI and I really believe Junior will survive and advance in his last year driving for his father's team. In my opinion, that leaves Martin Truex Jr. on the outside looking in.

This Week

The second road-course race of the year allows me the opportunity to reflect on Juan Montoya's victory at Sonoma. Remember, he won on fuel mileage and the single driver who discredited his win more than anyone else was ... Robby Gordon.

Watkins Glen should be fun.

Enjoy the race!

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.