Dana Dodge Racing Reort: Robby Gordon to Drive at California Speedway
9 October 1997
Robby Gordon to Drive #18 Dana Dodge at California Speedway FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cornelius, NC (October 8, 1997) -- NASCAR Winston Cup and Indy-car veteran Robby Gordon will fill the seat of the #18 Dana Dodge for the October 18th No Fear Challenge in the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck series event at the new California Speedway. This will be the fourth start for Gordon in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, including his first start during the Winter Heat competition. In 1996, Gordon drove for team owner Felix Sabates in North Wilkesboro, posting a 6th place starting position and finishing 13th. Gordon also drove for #18 Dana Dodge team owner Kurt Roehrig in November of last year, starting 16th and finishing 6th after running much of the race in the top-5. "Kurt's team and I had a great run in Vegas last year in the trucks," said Gordon. "That was one of the best NASCAR-type vehicles I ever had. I remember, we had to come up from the back through the field a couple of times, and was right there at the front running in third. I guess we slipped a little and ended up finishing in sixth. I'm looking forward to getting into Kurt's truck again- I've known Kurt for a long time, and its a pleasure to race with a team of this caliber. As far as the track goes, I was injured during the Winston Cup race here in June, so I didn't race, but I finished 8th in the Indy race here a couple of weeks ago. I think we can really bring home a good effort next week." "I'm excited to have Robby in my truck again," said Roehrig. "I've been impressed with Robby Gordon for a long time, and have known him since he was eighteen years old and racing. Hopefully, we can improve upon our last year's performance with Robby at Vegas, and take it up a notch in California." In addition to his NASCAR Winston Cup experience, Robby Gordon has more than 20 SCORE victories, two off-road championships, two Indy-car victories, and four IMSA GTO/GTS class victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Gordon finished 2nd in the 1996 IROC series championship points standings. Up next... ...in the #18 Dana Dodge is 1997 ASA points champion Kevin Cywinski for the Dodge California Truckstop 300 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Following Gordon in the No Fear Challenge will be Tom Hubert's fifth time out on the Dana dodge in the GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300 in Phoenix on November 1. The season-ending event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will see Kevin Cywinski again take the wheel of the #18 Dana Dodge in the Carquest Auto parts 420K. For more information on the #18 Dana Racing team, please contact Patti Kelly at (704) 895-1952.