Robby Gordon to run Gillett Evernham engines, Dodges

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Gillett Evernham Motorsports on Friday announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing services agreement with Robby Gordon Motorsports which will race Dodges in the 2008 Sprint Cup season.

Gordon's team will use Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge engines when practice begins next week at Daytona International Speedway. BAM Racing and Petty Enterprises also use Gillett Evernham Motorsports engines and receive technical assistance.

"We pride ourselves on being a leader in technology, innovation, and provider of top-flight equipment to other Cup teams. This is another example of a team coming to us for help in areas where we believe we excel," said co-owner George Gillett Jr. "This is an agreement to help a fellow Dodge team new to the family."

Gordon

Gillett Evernham Motorsports fields cars for drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier in the Sprint Cup Series as well as a Nationwide Series entry.

"I feel this agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports helps make the learning curve of the [new car] little bit easier to navigate," said Robby Gordon, owner of the team whose 28th-place finish in owner points was the best of any single-car team in 2007.

"I like what they have going on over there and I think both organizations will benefit. As an owner I want to do what is best for my employees and sponsors."

Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner Ray Evernham said he has great respect for Gordon's accomplishments in 2007.

"Robby has been running as a single-car team the last few years and that is a difficult task in our sport these days," Evernham said. "We plan to work with Robby and his team and pool some of the knowledge and make all of our teams better."

Gordon's move to Dodge comes after one year with Ford.

"Robby made a difficult decision to do what he thought was necessary to financially support and stabilize his race team," said Doug Hervey, the North American operations manager for Ford Racing Technology. "We were fully prepared to continue our commitment with him this year, and had plans to increase our level of engineering support before he told us of this decision to partner up with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. As a manufacturer, we're disappointed to be losing him and his team, but understand the difficulties of running a one-car team in the sport today."

Gordon said the move was strictly to help increase his team's stability.

"Ford has been very good to me, and this move is not a reflection on our relationship at all," Gordon said. "Ford was planning on supporting me, and even increasing its engineering support for my program in 2008. However, I felt that I needed to make this move to help put my team in a more stable financial situation in terms of marketing and sponsorship help."