The Answer Man on SPEEDtv.com - the Online Motorsports Authority
Note: By popular demand, The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. I will be answering questions during every race week and look forward to hearing from you as the season goes on.
If you have a question, please e-mail it to – Tom Jensen
Am I the only one that has noticed how phenomenal David Gilliland is performing this year? — Bruce McLaughlin
Thanks for the observation, Bruce. I have enormous respect for David Gilliland, who is 21st in NASCAR Sprint Cup points after the first eight races of the season. And he’s accomplished this on a team with little sponsorship, little money, a new shop and few carryover employees. On top of that, as I’ve said before, Gilliland is someone who genuinely appreciates and values the opportunities he’s earned so far. He’s a down-to-earth, humble guy.
Glad to have the Answerman back. My question(s) is in regards to a question you recently answered: “Who do you think will drive the No. 33 General Mills Chevrolet For RCR In 2009?” As a Bobby Labonte fan I've been following this story very closely and I would like to hear your thoughts about the marketing aspect of this whole deal. Bobby Labonte formed a new marketing agency “Breaking Limits,” earlier in the year and his first big client was General Mills. Would a driver broker a deal, that sends his primary sponsor to another team, if he was not part of the deal? Wouldn't NASCAR have rules pertaining to a conflict of interest such as that? My theory is that, the deal w/ RCR is already done and they're waiting to make the announcement while PE looks for sponsors/talks to drivers. It's one thing to go into silly season needing a driver or a sponsor, but it would be very difficult to have to find both. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. — Ed from Pa.
Ed: Great observations, there. As far as I know, there are no NASCAR rules preventing a driver from taking a sponsor with him or influencing a sponsor’s decision on where to go. My take on it is this: If the deal was in place for Labonte to go to the No. 33, it already would have been announced. I still think he could go here, but my bet would be that RCR still is talking to a number of drivers. That doesn’t mean Labonte won’t drive the No. 33, but I don’t believe it’s a done deal yet.
I was wondering if you had any insight as to why Robby Gordon is getting next to no coverage for his latest attempt here in the U.S. He left Phoenix after the Subway 500 direct for Paris, where he and his 40-member off-road team drove two race-prepped H3 Hummers, two H1 Hummers, and 3 MAN off-road trucks to Budapest to race in the Central European Rally. These guys drove 28 hours straight and some 1700 kilometers, while RG had food poisoning to make it to Hungary in time for the start. Not only is he competing in the race, he is one of the favorites, racing against the likes of the $100 million dollar factory BMW, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen teams. This race is considered one of the biggest if not the biggest off-road race in the world for 2008. — Joe Brosch
Just read your article. Apparently you don't feel Robby Gordon's week off was worthy of mention? His makes the others look like a week at the spa. I fail to understand the lack of respect that this racer garnishes from the vast majority of 'professional' automotive journalists. His accomplishments are without parallel though I will grant you that his personality is less than media friendly. Food for thought. — Bud Zuch
In your recent article Cup: Teams Busy During Rare Weekend Off you failed to mention the only driver that has ever won a stage in the Dakar Rally – Robby Gordon. Do you know that he is off in Europe to run the Central European Rally with the Monster Energy Drink GM Hummer? I’m Canadian and even I knew that!!! LOL — Jeff DeVries
Guys: Thanks for pointing out my oversight at not mentioning Robby Gordon’s exploits, and congratulations to Robby for finishing second in the first stage of the inaugural Central European Rally. I think the cancellation of Paris-Dakar and some of subsequent confusion certainly worked against Gordon in terms of visibility.
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