Is it possible to compete in two high-profile speed races, located 575 miles apart, in one day?
If you shook your head, think again – and then ask Robby Gordon the same question. With the help of Textron Inc., the world-renowned racecar driver added the phenomenal feat to his list of accomplishments.
Gordon, who drives the No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, pulled off what is referred to as “The Double” in the racing world. Gordon competed in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. That’s 1,100 miles of driving in one day – and lots of ground to cover in between.
Upon finishing eighth in the Indy, Gordon stepped on the first of three aircraft owned by Textron and headed to Concord, N.C. for race No. 2. Switching planes twice and receiving intravenous fluids while traveling, he made it to Concord just in time to hit the racetrack again. Gordon finished 16th in the Coca-Cola 600.
“Time was of the essence for me Sunday, not only in the races, but in getting from Indy to the 600,” Gordon described. “I was glad I could count on the speed and reliability of Bell and Cessna to get me there in time. Racing is my business, and business flight is their business - together we were the fastest team in the world on Sunday.”
Jon Carlson, president of Jacobsen, A Textron Company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., initiated the arrangements for Gordon to travel with Textron’s help. The driver actually flew in a Bell 430 helicopter, a Cessna Citation X (the world’s fastest jet) and a Bell 407. Bell Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft Company, two units of the Textron entity, manufacture the three aircraft.
“We're excited we were able to support Robby's efforts on Sunday,” explained Steve Loranger, Textron’s chief operating officer. “It is quite a physical and mental challenge to race 1100 miles in one day. Reliability and speed are fundamental to our business and our customers and there is no tougher customer on those subjects than a racecar driver.”
The author is Assistant Editor-Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at aanderson@lawnandlandscape.com.