thebajarunner
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Nice article on Robbie Gordon
Robbie Gordon, Baja Racer and NASCAR star.... not always my favorite, but read an excellent tribute to him.
Nice story about Robby Gordon: Last August, 9-year-old Killian Owen lost his three-and-a-half-year struggle with leukemia. But in the gym of his east
Cobb elementary school, a climbing wall on a giant mural of a phoenix - a legendary bird that rises from the ashes to live on - flying triumphantly
over a mountain will keep the youngster's memory alive for generations of students to come. Dubbed "Killian's Climb," the wall and the mural were
dedicated Tuesday in a ceremony that included heartfelt remarks by Killian's mother, Grainne Owen, who expressed her gratitude for the support her
family received throughout her son's illness. Killian Owen was a month shy of his 6th birthday when he was diagnosed in December 1999 with the cancer
that eventually took his life. In October 2002, a relapse put Killian back in the hospital and introduced him to a new hero, NASCAR driver Robby
Gordon, who drives the #31 Cingular Wireless car. Owen, who lives with his family in the east Cobb subdivision of Johnson's Landing and works for the
Atlanta-based Cingular, asked Gordon one day if he would mind dropping by the hospital to say hello to his son. "He came over that day and we couldn't
get him to go away. He visited every room on the cancer ward," Owen recalled. Gordon, who was a special guest at Tuesday's dedication ceremony, came
back many times to see Killian. "We'd play games, like Dragonstrike, anything to cheer him up and make him smile," Gordon said. "Every time I was in
town, I'd go see him for three or four hours." When the child was out of the hospital, Gordon made sure Killian and his family attended races in which
Gordon was competing or that they were with him when he made special appearances in the community. "Killian didn't know much about racing before he
met Robbie, but he became a huge fan," Mrs. Owen said. For Gordon, Killian's illness and eventual death was a reality check. "I had a friend whose
daughter had cancer, but she survived," he said. "I live in such a fantasy world that (losing Killian) really makes my life more real." Gordon is very
special to the Owen family, "not because of how famous he is or how exciting his job is, but because he's a kind, generous person who made a great
difference in our lives, and Killian loved him," Mrs. Owen said.(see full story and photo at the Marietta Daily Journal)(2-18-2004)
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elgatoloco
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Robbie Gordon is now my favorite NASCAR driver.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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TMW
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The are a number of people in Off-Road Racing that don't like Robbie. They think he's too c-cky and pops off to much etc. for his own good. I don't
know him real well personally, maybe he is. But he knows how to drive an Off-Road race truck. His style is exciting and fun to watch. I first met him
and his dad, Bob, in San Ignacio at the La Pinta hotel in 1989. We were both prerunning the Baja 1000. They were racing in 4 wheelers and me on a MC.
They gave me many tips on the course etc. that helped a lot. Robbie is the same age as my son and I saw then the same characteristics in both 20 year
olds boys. Whenever I've seen him he's always said hello and we chat for a little while. When he's racing NASCAR I keep track of where he's at hoping
he'll win.
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Corky1
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I agree with TW.
Some in off-road think he is a little c-cky and sometimes opens mouth before engaging brain.
Overall I think he is good for the sport. Very carful when passing motorcycles during a race.
My $.02
Corky 
[Edited on 2-20-2004 by BajaNomad]
 
\"Keep The Rubberside Down\" |
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BajaNomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
The are a number of people in Off-Road Racing that don't like Robbie. They think he's too c-cky and pops off to much etc. for his own good. I don't
know him real well personally, maybe he is. |
Robby Gordon is an extremely talented and personable person. He's aware of this talent and very confident in his abilities... which to some will come
across as "c-cky".... whatever.
He's also in the racing series that won't let you get too "c-cky" for your own good: NASCAR Cup racing.
| Quote: | | But he knows how to drive an Off-Road race truck. His style is exciting and fun to watch. |
Very understated
truth -- as there are those that will travel miles/hours to find a destination in the desert to simply see Robby drive that section of desert/terrain.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of off-road enthusiats that have "seen it all"... and yet their eyes bug out and they exclaim "Wow" when witnessing
him pilot his vehicles in person.
It's that dramatic.... and it's that much talent.
My family is one of those rooting for #31 on NASCAR race-days.
Fun link:
http://www.robbygordon.com/cgi-bin/ImageFolio31/imagefolio.c...
Regards,
--
Doug Means
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
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thebajarunner
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Robbie on Sunday
Thanks for all the response on Robbie, I love his slash and burn style (until he runs into my favorite, #18, Bobby)
We get to hop on United in the morning at SFO and see the race Sunday at Rockingham, then again in two weeks at Las Vegas.
Great to have a daughter who is an airline pilot, great to have friends in NASCAR.
Go Robbie (31) and Bobbie (18)
Baja Arriba!!
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TMW
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Corky your right on. During the 91 Baja 1000 I was running in a wash on my MC when I notice a car wheel to my left. I look over and it was Robbie
carefully passing me. Well I immediately jumped out of the wash and off he took.
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thebajarunner
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no happy endings
Wish this Robbie G story had a happy ending, alas, as usual, Robbie self-destructed over the weekend.
We were most fortunate to be there both days, Sat. he cost his team-mate (Harvick) a possible win while playing "macho" albeit a lap down.
Sun. he was involved in a hard crash on the back straight, just past our seats.
The poor guy just seems to be a magnet for strife and destruction.
Oh well, it was a great weekend for us, this is my 14th different NASCAR Cup track and by far the best.
Baja Arriba!!
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BajaNomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thebajarunner
...this is my 14th different NASCAR Cup track and by far the best. |
What makes it top the list?
I've been to a few myself, but not "the Rock."
--
Doug
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting:
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thebajarunner
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Glad you asked, Doug,
a mile is big enough to go fast, small enough so that you can actually see the cars on the far side.
We were at Daytona last month for practice, saw Robbie for extended runs.
And, I have been to the 500 3 times. Great experience, lousy place to view a race.
They come by you with an awesome rumble, a big push of wind and they sweep down the track and gone. Pretty soon, here they come again, another big
"swoosh" then gone.
Sears Point, our home track, don't ask, dreadful place to 'see' a race. Better to stay home, although the true fan cannot stand to stay away.
We went to the night race at Bristol last August, wonderful show, up close and personal, but they really don't generate the speeds and the on-track
interplay of the speedway.
Fontana, our other 'home track' is so big that the giant t.v. screen in front of us is watched at least half the time.
But, Rockingham you are on top of the race, literally, and the racing is so close and competitive. Lots of different racing grooves, passing high,
low, splitting a slow car with two fast ones, just a great scene.
Our seats in turn one looked straight down pit road, the front straight swept right up under our feet and even in row 7 you are so high up on the
banking that the views are great.
I would put Dover in the same category for viewing (and it too is a one miler) but the turns are steeper and both straights are true straights, so
they do not run as close or as dicey as The Rock.
Judging by the number of empty seats I suspect we have seen the last of North Carolina Speedway, I hope not.
I have already planned to return next year if the Cup race is there.
And no, I don't dislike Robbie, just wish he were a little more consistent in a positive sense, he has a great ride, he needs to make it great.
Baja Arriba!!
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thebajarunner
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NASCAR- one last comment
If I never see another 'cookie-cutter' mile and a half track I will be happy.
They are all the same, from Vegas to Chicago, to Texas to Homestead and more not named.
One groove, cars fade in the distance, no side by side running, just a real frustrating trend.
Bring Back The Rock!!
Baja Arriba!!
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BajaNomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thebajarunner
Judging by the number of empty seats I suspect we have seen the last of North Carolina Speedway, I hope not. |
10,000 empty seats:
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=motorsports...
I've been to Speed Weeks at Daytona a couple of times, taking in New Smyrna Beach races in the evenings both times... the experience was fantastic,
including watching the cars at speed on the banking... amazing.
Also attended events at Charlotte, Ontario, Riverside (my fav), Sears Point, Fontana, Phoenix, Vegas, as well as Milwaukee & Colorado Springs Busch
races in 1999 (or was it 2000?).
Have been to many Winston West - Southwest Tour - Open Comp - races at the short tracks over the years.... Evergreen, Portland, Mesa Marin, Saugus, El
Cajon... and even attended races in Irwindale when the track there was "Speedway 605"... Think I've got a pic of Sonny Easley from there.
Grew up around the west coast stock car scene (an extreme understatement)... and feel very fortunate for that exposure/experience.... VERY fortunate
indeed.
--
Doug
My most recent go-round at the events, as noted above were Busch events a few years ago... I was able to be a "volunteer" gopher for Phoenix Racing
(James Finch's team), which was then "Bob Evans Racing"... and today is "Team Yellow Racing"..... go Johnny Benson!!!:
[Edited on 2-25-2004 by BajaNomad]
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting:
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thebajarunner
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NASCAR-West Coast
Doug, U2U me your e-mail address so we can talk some real NASCAR stuff...
I was the team manager for Jack McCoy during his Winston West career, also pitted numerous times, drove the hauler all over the West and did P.R. for
NASCAR for several years. Promoted the WWest races at Stockton Speedway for 7 years, then Jack and I wrote a terrific book on West Coast racing.
I will get you a signed copy as well as some other interesting racing stuff.
Baja Arriba!!
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David K
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It's a great book, Doug!
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thebajarunner
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Book
Thanks for the plug, DK.
It is a great book, isn't it!!
Only 6 more weeks until the San Pedro Martir hike, getting revved up for it!!
Baja Arriba!!
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