Why was Robby Gordon….? UPDATE: getting this question much today – Why was Robby Gordon called to the NASCAR trailer after the race? On CNN/Si’s NASCAR Plus, Benny Parsons said that Gordon was called to the NASCAR trailer because after making contact with #48-Jimmie Johnson and cutting a tire down, he did not pit the #31 Chevy when NASCAR told him to, he stayed out on the track, the tire blew ripped some sheet metal off the car.(2-25-2002) UPDATE: On Lap 387, Robby Gordon was hit by Jimmie Johnson on the backstretch, sending Gordon spinning out of control. After staying clear of the field, an angry Gordon, who was running in the top 10 at the time of the accident, restarted his car and returned to the track. He did not pit on his first pass of pit road, and after not pitting a second time, the damage to his car took its toll. A rear tire blew and debris scattered across the frontstretch, forcing NASCAR to display the yellow. Gordon, crew chief Gil Martin and the team’ spotter, Tim Overby, were called to the NASCAR trailer after the race. Martin was admonished for not getting Gordon to pit sooner. “NASCAR said we had an opportunity to get on pit road and Robby should have done that. They basically said by staying out, we caused the last caution which was detrimental to the outcome of the race,” Martin said. “I understand their position. But at the same time, why was the yellow not thrown when my driver first spun on the backstretch, which could have been a dangerous situation for him and detrimental to our team?” Martin said both sides simply expressed their opinions on the matter during the meeting. There are no penalties forthcoming related to the incident. NASCAR spokesperson Danielle Humphrey said officials were trying to get Gordon to pit or at least get below the apron to prevent fluids or pieces of sheet metal from being dropped on the racing groove.(ThatsRacin.com)(2-26-2002)
