Robby Gordon Bristol race notes

Starting 13th for Sunday's goracing.com 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway, Robby Gordon ran strong and in the top-20 for the race's first 121 laps until he was squeezed into the wall by David Green exiting turn four. Gordon let Green go by after battling him for numerous laps, figuring Green's car was a little bit stronger at that point and not wanting to risk a wreck so early in the race. Green went low as they came through turns three and four but didn't give Gordon any room on the high side. The steering on Gordon's TurtleWax/ Menards/Duracell Ford was broken in the incident and he was unable to resume racing as a result.

Later in the evening Gordon replaced Brett Bodine as a relief driver in Bodine's Ralph's Ford. Gordon went from 36th to 28th in Bodine's car driving a little less than the race's last 250 laps.

ROBBY GORDON (after Green incident) "I'm so mad right now that I don't think I really want to say anything. But I will anyway. Basically, David (Green) didn't give me any room coming off (turn) four. We were racing pretty hard, but I felt he was a little bit faster so I thought I'd let him go rather than risk a wreck that early. Why he rubbed me into the wall I don't know, I gave him room low and he should have given me room high on exit. He wasn't that much faster, I was right above him going through three and four. Man, we had a good run going too, that's what I'm most upset about. We qualified well at a place where I don't have a lot of experience and we were getting hooked up. Before the first pit stop I was pretty loose, I couldn't mash the gas off the corner without getting 'really' loose and guys were getting runs on me. But after the first stop we made some changes and the car completely turned around. Having a good car is everything here I found out, and we were getting close to that. I hooked up with (Terry) Labonte and we started moving up and having fun. To have it ended that soon is really disappointing, not only for us but for our sponsors too. I was looking forward to giving them a good show starting as high as we were."

(On driving Bodine's car) "I was trapped inside the track after we were taken out with our car, so I figured I might as well drive somebody else's if the opportunity came up. I made myself available and Brett Bodine's car turned up because he was having a tough time with the heat. It was a good opportunity to get some more experience at Bristol and also to see what it's like driving another car and gauge where we're at with ours. It was a little uncomfortable, but only because it was made to fit Brett and not Robby Gordon. I think we picked up quite a few spots out there. I've worked with (Mike) Hillman before, so I know he puts a good car on the track. For me, every lap I turn at Bristol I get more comfortable with the racing. I'd like to thank Brett for letting me drive his car and I hope he's feeling better."