rpm.espn.com: Gordon versatile or volatile?

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Friday, January 4
Gordon versatile or volatile?
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Richard Childress made the right call in hiring Robby Gordon for the No. 31 Chevrolet and whether Gordon could take advantage of the situation. Here are some of the comments:

In a short time with RCR, he has managed to alienate his teammate, lose a race due to stubbornness and score a cheap shot win at New Hampshire. He will continue at this rapid pace of losing the respect of fellow drivers, teammates and eventually his new owner.

Jason Desisto
Boston

If he keeps his head clear during qualifying he should win three races and maybe a pole. A top-15 showing in the points is also possible.

Michael Stogdill
Lavallette, N.J.

Robby Gordon has the right stuff and is with the right team. The fire within can either spur him on to great things or burn him down. I have a love/hate relationship with his style, not unlike the late Dale Earnhardt. I love the excitement of it, but it can lead to dangerous situations. Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick will (hopefully) put some of the thrill back into NASCAR in 2002. Let's hope they can do it with a reasonable amount of safety.

Kathy Heywood
Shrewsbury, Mass.

I think you are right that Robby has to maintain his cool and work with RCR. There is no doubt he has the driving ability. I've been watching him since he started in Indy cars, he's definitely exciting to watch and he should be able to finish in the top-15 if he picks up the qualifying effort.

Roger Burke
Cedarburg, Wisc.

I'm really disappointed with Mr. Childress. Robby Gordon's ego does not belong in the same stables graced by the greatness of Dale Earnhardt. I wonder where they will find a helmet that big? I predict his finish is greater than his No. 31.

Greg McDuffee
Summitville, Ind.

Robby Gordon is the real replacement for Dale Earnhardt. He has more overall talent than any other driver in Winston Cup, including Jeff Gordon.

Ed Cushing
Alamo, Calif.

I really don't believe Robby Gordon will do as good a job in the No. 31 car as other free drivers could have. Gordon will probably finish in the top 20 next year, but if you really think about, for good drivers it isn't really that hard! I just think Richard Childress could have made a better decision on a driver.

Curtis Johnson
Sumter, S.C.

Robby Gordon has worn out his welcome with every other team he's ever been with, because of either stupid driving or a bad attitude. While his late-season results were promising, I have my doubts that 2002 will be a good year for for Gordon and the no. 31 team. I don't think there is another driver that trusts him on the race track, including his two new teammates.

Mike Wachsnicht
Manhattan, Kan.

I believe there were other proven drivers available that would have a better chance than Robby Gordon of doing well for the 2002 season. I do not belive he can set aside his "I will do it my way attitude."

Ralph Wall
Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Robby Gordon and Childress have what it takes to compete for the championship next year. Robby can man handle the car through a road course better than anybody, and now he's learned to massage it over race distance on an oval. Lets face it, this guy can drive anything and win.

Ben Binghay
Upper Marlboro, Md.

Robby Gordon can finish in the top-20 because of the equipment he now has. He has a shot of winning one or two races next year. The drivers that win are the ones with great equipment. I don't see Robert Pressley, Kyle Petty and John Andretti winning races. Main reason is that the cars are bad. You could put Jeff Gordon in the 43 car and he would do nothing!

Steve Haines
Front Royal, Va.

Richard Childress is the finest judge of talent in motorsports and also has shown that he can manage and develop this talent into a winning combination at any level of competition. This team will have the potential of winning any time out and should finish well in the points possibly in the top-5.

Bob Soberalski
North Branch, Mich.

No, I would have rather seen Mike Wallace in the car as he is much more in control of his emotions. Mike would have been a top-15 from the start through the season's end.

Bob Mort
Yorba Linda, Calif.

He has talent, but I'm just never going to like the guy. I've been an Earnhardt fan for a long time and I know that was a big ego (and he backed it up) to deal with. Maybe RCR can handle him. I think Robby is just a little snot. I would love to see Jeff Burton in a RCR car.

Jon Buxton
Rapid City, S.D.

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