UPDATE – denied: Recent rumors of Robby Gordon’s possible release from Richard Childress Racing were repudiated Wednesday by the driver and a team official. Recent media reports have had two RCR drivers, Gordon and Johnny Sauter, out of their respective rides. The latest rumor had Gordon being replaced by Roush Racing driver Jeff Burton. Gordon said that while that’s not a pleasant statistic for anyone at RCR, his release has no part in the organization’s near future. “I think that all that is, is a rumor,” Gordon said. “I’ve got a good relationship with Richard. We’ve had conversations, and it’s all about how we’re going to perform at Martinsville and what we’re doing to try to make the 31 and the 30 cars more competitive, as a team.” RCR director of competition Bobby Hutchens, who Gordon said has been spending extra time working with his group and new crew chief Chris Andrews so far this season, concurred Wednesday afternoon. “Robby Gordon is our driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet,” Hutchens said. “Whatever rumors have been flying around out there are just rumors. To my knowledge, there have been no conversations that would prove any different.” Due to his schedule, Childress was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon, a team spokesperson said. But Gordon insisted that the circulating stories were unfounded.(NASCAR.com)(4-15-2004)
UPDATE 2: Jeff Burton was Dave Despain’s guest on Thursday’s Wind Tunnel [Speed Channel – M-Th 10:00pm/et] and denied reports he was leaving Roush Racing for the #31 RCR ride or any ride. Burton said he is not sure why his name keeps coming up with RCR rumors the past few years as he has not discussed a ride with team owner Richard Childress. Burton also said that his #99 Roush Racin team is close to a major sponsor signing that would run thru the rest of the 2004 season and future season.(4-16-2004)