Robby Gordon Mailbag: Respect starting to come

Robby, do you ever think you will be accepted as one of the good old boys in NASCAR or does your driving style prohibit it? I read Jamie McMurray called you a menace. I consider that a compliment to have a driver race hard for every position on the track. You have had run-ins with Jeff, Dale Jr., Tony, and haven't backed down.

-- John Patterson

	Robby Gordon had plenty of reason to celebrate last weekend at Watkins Glen. Credit: Autostock

I think it was harder for me coming into this sport because I came from the Indy car side and I am a native Californian. But I think I've been accepted a lot more than I originally was and that comes by earning the respect of the drivers on the track. I've won three NASCAR Winston Cup races now and have proven that I am a good competitor and a fair one. I probably won't be accepted by everybody but I'm happy driving the Cingular Wireless car and am enjoying working with my crew toward a top-10 finish at the end of the year. That's all that really matters.

Robby, I saw you got the honors of throwing out the first pitch at two baseball games. Baseball and NASCAR are my two passions in life, and I was thrilled to see my favorite driver getting this opportunity, only wish I could have been there with you. In Chicago you threw a strike! Will you describe what that moment was like for you? Do you play, or follow any teams?

-- Karen Lohr

I wasn't really expecting to throw a strike, to be honest with you. I didn't have any time that week to practice in the backyard and didn't really get any warm-up at Wrigley Field. I just went out and winged it. I was pretty pleased with the strike! That was pretty cool because Wrigley Field is such an historic ball field with so much prestige. I was honored to be on the field, much less to be throwing out the first pitch there.

Robby, your website is the best website of any of the NASCAR drivers. Whose idea was it to let us upload our own pictures? It is awesome!

-- Jesse Godfroy

I have a guy named Rob Harris who does my website and he does a fantastic job. I also think I've got one of the best, if not the best, website in the sport. Rob is very creative and always coming up with new stuff.

ROBBY GORDON  •  Driver Page  •  2003 Season Stats  •  Video Highlights  •  Driver vs. Driver

I think you did a good job at Indy even on old tires and probably a tight racecar. I am going to visit the glen race for my 5th time. My dad and I go every year and I am a big fan of Richard Childress Racing but really have enjoyed your open wheel racing with team Menard and I was wondering what you thought of Watkins Glen International. Thank you.

--Bryan Mason

I love Watkins Glen International. It is definitely one of my favorite tracks and a place I can't wait to go to each year. Now that the Cingular team won there last week, it's always going to be one of my favorite tracks.

Two years ago at Rockingham I think I was the only guy in the whole place with a Robby Gordon hat on aside from your pit crew. Now, as you have come into your own this year, and your popularity has taken off, do you find it harder to go out in public, especially when you are in North Carolina?

-- George Reynolds

First of all, thank you for supporting me back then and now! Yes, it is harder to go out in public than it was before but I don't mind it one bit. I always try to stop and sign autographs for anyone who asks for one. If I don't sign one, it's because I am late for something very important. I appreciate my fans and stopping for each and every one of them doesn't bother me at all.

One of the things I like about you is that you don't take any crap from other people/drivers and go about your business of trying to win races. Do you think next year, when you are running for the championship, that you will begin to get the respect you deserve?

-- Joe Mannon

That's just so hard to guess. I've won three NASCAR Winston Cup races now and still don't get as much respect as some other drivers. I am a fierce competitor and want to do my best on the racetrack. Some people just haven't accepted that and I have no control over that. I guess what happens next year remains to be seen but I really can't predict it.

ALSO  •  SI.com archive

Hey Mr. Gordon, just wanted to say great job at Indy. Few questions for you -- how many more spots do you think you will gain in the points this season, I think you will at least jump up two spots when you get the max points this weekend at Watkins Glen. Also do you enjoy road races more than ovals? Keep up the good work. Good luck, hope to see you win the championship next year.

--Jeff Heichel

The Cingular Wireless team is currently 10th in points but we're less than 10 points out of ninth and not too far out of eighth. I think it's very conceivable that we could end up seventh at the end of the year. That would be pretty awesome because we have come a long way in the past season. Road courses are definitely my favorite but I've really taken a liking to some of the oval tracks the past year or so. Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond are some of my favorite tracks now, in addition to Sonoma and Watkins Glen.

Are you going to be racing the 1000 again this year?? If so good luck and I hope to see you racing in Mexico.

-- Paul Blangsted

I have every intention of competing in the Baja 1000 this year. Hope to see you there!

Robby Gordon drives the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Before arriving in NASCAR's top division, Gordon enjoyed success in the CART Series and off-road racing. Throughout the 2003 Winston Cup season, Gordon will answer questions from SI.com users in a weekly Mailbag.