All-Star: Robby Gordon "Open" qualifying report

Gordon Qualifies 14th at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Concord, N.C. (May 19, 2006) -- With the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series' return to their unofficial home track, Robby Gordon and the No. 7 Jim Beam Black Chevrolet qualified in 14th place for Saturday night's Nextel Open. Qualifying with a lap of 29.53 seconds and 182.822 mph at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Gordon and the team will be keen to adjust the Jim Beam Black Chevy during the 30-lap event to the track's newly paved, slick surface.

"We were faster than our qualifying lap in practice," Gordon said. "The car got tight through turns one and two and dragged the valence a little bit. With that little push through the turn it cost us a tenth or two. This car is definitely a better race car than a qualifier so I am still confident that the No. 7 Jim Beam Black will be a serious contender tomorrow night in the Nextel Open."

TV coverage for the Nextel Open and All-Star Challenge can be seen on FOX, with the broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. EDT. Radio coverage on all national PRN Radio affiliates will begin at 6:45 p.m. EDT.

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