Weekly
Racing Journal
Race/Date: Sirius at The
Glen/August 10, 2003
(22nd
of 36 races)
Location: Watkins Glen
(N.Y.) International
Start Position: 14th
Finish Position: First
Points Position: 10th
(from 11th last week)
Robby Gordon and the No. 31 Cingular Wireless
crew proved Sunday at Watkins Glen International they know a little
bit about road racing as Gordon took the checkered flag in the Sirius
at The Glen, making it win number two for the No. 31 Richard Childress
Racing (RCR) team. The win places Gordon in the books as only the
fourth driver to sweep both road course races in the same season.
As soon as the race got underway, Gordon radioed
his team to tell them the car felt great. By lap 22, he moved up
eight positions to sixth and was gaining on the leader when the
second caution of the day prompted the Cingular Wireless team to
make its first pit stop under yellow, taking four tires and fuel.
When green flag racing returned, Gordon was in 15th place.
The No. 31 RCR team went to work to devise a
pit strategy to get their Cingular Wireless driver toward the front
of the field. To gain track position, the No. 31 Chevrolet team
did not come down pit road during the third or fourth cautions of
the day. By the time racing resumed on lap 46, the Cingular Wireless
Chevy was ninth.
Then, the fifth caution flag waved on lap 52,
giving Gordon the opportunity he and his crew were hoping would
arrive as they were within their fuel window. They completed their
second and final pit stop of the day, taking four tires and fuel.
The No. 31 Cingular Wireless driver was back on track in sixth place,
soon taking the lead on lap 62. Gordon went on to lead the rest
of the 90-lap race, cruising into victory lane for the first time
at Watkins Glen International.
As a result of Gordon’s victory, Cingular
Wireless is donating $50,000 each to FDNY and Special Olympics.
Gordon Quotes: “It’s about time. This
is just great. We have come so close so many times here, and now
we finally get to go to victory lane. Hats off to everybody at RCR,
all of the employees, not just the guys who come and help us on
race day, but everybody that makes it happen. I’ll be honest.
I don’t think we had the best car today. We just drove a good,
smart strategy, and they made some good calls in pit lane, so my
hat’s off to Kevin Hamlin for some great calls from pit lane.
The guys also had some excellent stops and I just really appreciate
everything they do. I definitely did not win this race by myself.
And it is a great win for FDNY and Special Olympics. We raised a
good amount of money for them today, so that makes today’s
win that much more special for everyone involved.”
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