Robby Gordon to Race Indy/Charlotte Double
May 21, 2003
Robby Gordon will attempt to complete a racing "double" this Sunday, starting in the May 25 Indianapolis 500 from the third position and then flying to Charlotte to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Gordon completed his first true "double" last year when he finished eighth in the Indianapolis 500 and 16th in the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600.
Gordon also had high hopes for the Memorial Day weekend challenge in 2000 and 1997, but he never completed the 1,100 miles in one day due to weather delays both years. A rain delay in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 caused Gordon to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600, although he started the race late and completed it, while rain postponed the 1997 Indianapolis 500 until the following Monday. Gordon has logged five top-10 finishes in eight Indianapolis 500 starts and was leading on the next-to-last lap of the 1999 race before running out of fuel (he finished fourth).
Gordon flew to Indy Sunday morning for Bump Day, during which he ran 37 laps in race trim. He will fly from Concord to Indy Thursday morning for Carburetion Day and then back to Concord that afternoon for practice and qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600. He will then remain in Concord until Saturday evening, when he will fly to Indy for Sunday's Indy 500.
Beyond the physical endurance test, Gordon faces a significant logistics challenge to compete in both races back to back.
"I have a Winston Cup contract with Richard Childress and Cingular Wireless to drive the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in each race this year and that includes the Coca-Cola 600," said Gordon. "I'm hoping it won't come down to me having to get out of the Indy car early to get to Charlotte on time, but if it does, we'll have to work it out. You can try to plan for those circumstances, but it doesn't seem to ever work. Obviously, we've got plans set up for both sides and how to work it out if something terrible happens. In a worse-case scenario like if I get hurt at Indy, we'll have a driver in place to take over for me at Charlotte. That's why I owe a huge 'thanks' to Richard and Cingular and all the guys on my team for allowing me to do this 'double' and supporting my effort, as well."
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