Robby Gordon: Merger makes team stronger

Robby Gordon believes he made his team stronger through a technological and marketing partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

Gordon will switch to Dodge immediately and he said Friday afternoon he plans to lean on the three GEM Sprint Cup teams for help.

"I look at it as it's a stronger way for my team to survive," said Gordon, who was 26th in points despite missing a race last year. "Hopefully it's going to make a good partnership going forward. Right now, today, we're probably receiving a few more benefits than they are.

"We've got a decent group of engineers at our place, but having teammates is going to be important, It's going to be nice to have people that we can walk over and say, 'What are you running for shocks? What are you running for springs?' I haven't had this kind of information the last three years.

"We've been able to make it and be competitive, but I think this will take us from the 20s, hopefully back to the teens and maybe even [to] an opportunity to make the Chase."

Short term, Gordon said he believes his team will be ready with its Dodges when practice for Daytona 500 qualifying begins Feb. 9.

"I've never converted a COT before, especially ones that had never been raced," Gordon said. "Our cars were ready. I've got a good group of guys back in the shop, and I'm confident they'll do a wonderful job converting these cars. I think we'll be competitive when we roll out at Daytona." More at Scenedaily.com