Tina Gordon Maintains Points Standing Despite Bad Luck at Dover
06-03-03


http://www.truckseries.com/2003/03r7-Texas/060303tg.htm




Although bad luck struck Tina Gordon and her No. 31 Dodge in Dover, she still managed to finish the race in 19th position and hold onto18th place in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings. Gordon had a good day going and even ran as high as third before more misfortune brought an early end to her day. Gordon left Dover with experience on another new track, however, and with high hopes that the team's recent run of bad luck will change in Texas.

"Dover was definitely a tough track," Gordon said. "I can see why it is nicknamed the 'Monster Mile.' We were getting better and better as the race went on. I still feel like we had a great race. I learned a lot and gained some good experience."


Gordon serves as mentor for Urban Youth Racing School One of the highlights of the Dover race week for Tina Gordon was serving as a mentor for a young student from the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shauna Stanton, a 15-year-old student at the school with aspirations of designing racecars one day, spent the day in the garage with Gordon and even attended the driver's meeting as well as an autograph session with her. Shauna quickly became a favorite among team members and it was a pleasant experience for all involved. "It was great getting to see these kids and how interested they were in racing. Shauna was so smart. She really took the time to research and knew more about me than I do I think," said Gordon. Gordon hopes to be able to do events for the school again in the future. UYRS Photos NEW!

Dover Air Force Base Trip Several drivers from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series attended an autograph signing at the bowling alley on Dover Air Force Base. This was a chance to mingle with some of the folks who serve our country daily as well as their families. The evening was capped off with a tour of a C-5 Galaxy, the largest cargo plane the Air Force flies. For Gordon and many others, this was quite a memorable experience. "I loved getting to tour the C-5. That is an amazing plane. The crew was so nice and told us a lot about the plane and what it does," said Gordon. AFB Photos NEW!

Looking ahead to Texas Friday's O'Reilly 400k at Texas Motor Speedway will be a homecoming for Todd Myers, crew chief of the No. 31 Microtel Inns & Suites Dodge. Myers has been a resident of Fort Worth for the past five years, and has had success at the track with several drivers in the past. He hopes to continue that streak with Tina Gordon this week. "This is my home track and it's nice to be going home this week," said Myers.


Tina Gordon: "We've had a run of bad luck lately, but I hope that's gonna change when we get to Texas. I'm looking forward to going to another track I have never been to before. You never know what to expect until you get there. I can't wait to learn about the track."

Shelly Brevak (team owner): "Tina drove the wheels off our Scotch Transparent Duct Tape/Microtel Inns No. 31 at Dover. We hope the monkey will decide to stay home when the team heads to Texas with a top 10 finish in our sights. With Maurice Petty & Associates powerplants I know that is an attainable goal."

Todd Myers (crew chief): "I think Tina is getting better and better and will do well at Texas after the last two races. She did quite well in Dover and Charlotte."

Tina Gordon is currently 18th in overall points and second in rookie points behind Carl Edwards.