Phoenix II: Robby Gordon qualifying report

Robby Gordon to Start 40th in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 10, 2006) -- Robby Gordon's lap of 27.608 seconds (130.396 mph) around the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway (PIR), placed him a disappointing 40th on the grid for Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500.

Gordon, a former winner at PIR back in his open-wheel days, and the No. 7 Harrah's Chevrolet will look to back up a strong effort in this event one year ago (ninth) and will try to rebound from a blown engine at this track in the April race here.

"That qualifying draw definitely didn't help us any," said Gordon, who missed his fastest circuit in practice by two-tenths of a second. "We weren't that great in practice this morning when it was a little bit cooler. We knew that our draw wasn't going to help any so we needed to put up some solid numbers this morning and we just couldn't find the right combination. During our qualifying laps the car was pretty loose in turns 3 and 4 and it really hurt my speed down both straights. We have some things to figure out in race practice tomorrow and have to start from there on Sunday."

Jeff Gordon captured the pole at the one-mile oval with a time of 26.773 seconds. Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Joe Nemechek rounded out the top five.

-credit: rgm