(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Once upon a time there were men whose sole passion in life was to race a stock car.
These men spent their weekdays pounding out the dents from the previous week’s competition to have their car ready in time to make the next event. They turned the wrenches, they swung the hammers. They tweaked and tuned the motor until it roared using their own two hands.
If they were lucky, they had one good friend at their side to offer whatever help they could lend. And they had to take care of their hot rods on the track, as they were often their only transportation back home after the race.
As stock car racing became popular in the U.S., so did the dependence on marketing revenue. A new day had dawned in the sport we love.
Mega teams emerged. Those with the largest bankroll could attract the largest sponsors, therefore pay the highest driver salaries, hire the brightest engineers, and stock their shops with cutting-edge technology.
Yes, it became a microcosm of American society where money equaled power. Those who have the most money to throw at any challenge are those most likely to overcome them. And we can all see where those values have landed this great nation.
A lone driver still fits the old school mold.
There are others labeled owner/driver, but only one fits the true definition. Without mega team affiliation and resources, without millions of dollars in manufacturer seed money, Robby Gordon has built his race team from the ground up. Now, in his fourth season of operations, his efforts are starting to pay off.
He is building some wicked fast hot rods in a shop that rivals those of the mega teams. Robby is the only independent one-car team firmly within the top 35 in owner points. His first win in Robby Gordon Motorsports equipment won’t be far behind.
There are drivers, and then there are racers. A driver will get behind the wheel of their preferred style of race car and do his job week in and week out. He doesn’t concern himself with setup, that’s someone else’s forte. Drivers want to win and bask in the media attention surrounding them.
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