Robby Gordon Mailbag: Adoring the public

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeing you at Atlanta Motor Speedway this past weekend. I have always been impressed with the way you handle yourself around the fans. I've also noticed how much you and the Cingular Wireless team have improved this past year. Your team has been very competitive on the track and picked up a lot of new fans. My question is this: Now that you have three Winston Cup wins to your credit, which one was the most gratifying and why?

-- Rick Payne, Kennesaw, Ga.

	Gordon says signing autographs for fans is a satisfying part of his job. Credit: Autostock

I think the most gratifying win for me by far was the November 2001 win at Loudon. It was my first win, and it came on an oval. We were really good that weekend. We had been expected to win the road courses, but it just took a little longer to win them. But no one really expected my first win to be on an oval track like Loudon. That made it that much better for me.

Hey, Robby! With the holidays coming soon, what is on your Christmas wish list?

-- Karen Lohr, Swanton, Md.

I really just want to spend time catching up with my grandparents and my family and friends in California. I don't get that very often.

I have been a fan since the early '90s and love the CART and IRL. I was wondering if you knew Tony Renna and could say something about him? I thought that Tony could become a premier driver and perennial championship contender.

-- Thomas A. Napier Jr., Richmond, Va.

I am very sad for Tony's friends and family. He had positioned himself to be with a team capable of winning a championship. He was a remarkable young driver with the capability of becoming a champion one day.

Robby, you are the most fan-friendly driver out there. You seem to always go out of your way to make each autograph-signing personal. My question is: Who was the first famous person you met, and what was that like? I have a suspicion that it was really great for you and you vowed to treat everyone like you were treated that first time or it was horrible and you vowed to never make anyone feel like you felt that day. Thanks for answering and keep up the great work!

-- Todd Unthank, Lexington, Ky.

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When I was about five years old, I met a motocross driver who was in his mid-20s. I can't remember exactly who the first famous person I met was, but I remember being very excited and overwhelmed.

First, let me say you're a remarkable talent. What is the biggest difference between a top-10 driver and a top-35 driver? Talent, car, desire, courage, personality/composure?

-- Greg Soden, La Mirada, Calif.

A lot of drivers in the garage could race inside the top 10 in points or for a championship if put in the right situation. There are a lot of people involved, and it's not just the driver who wins a championship. It takes everyone from the crew chief to the engine builder, the pit crew, fabricators and even NASCAR to not be too hard on you every week, to be inside the top 10.

What is the difference between a Busch Monte Carlo or Ford and a Winston Cup car? Wheel base? Dimensions?

-- Mike Bond, Kula, Hawaii

I think it is 5 inches and 100 pounds and a different carburetor. There are a couple of other things different, but that's the bulk of it.

I was at the Kansas race and got a lot of autographs, and I just wanted to say you seemed the happiest and acted like you cared about your fans -- it wasn't just something that you had to do and couldn't wait until it was done. I just wanted to say thank you, and I wish you all the best of luck the rest of this season and into next year!

-- Tarina Dozier, St. Joseph, Mo.

Well, what you see is what you get with me. I really do enjoy meeting my fans and don't mind taking all the time in the world to sign autographs. Sometimes it gets rushed on race morning when I have to get to the drivers' meeting. I feel bad having to run out on everybody if there is still a long line, but duty calls.

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.