R. Gordon switches to GEM Dodges

Robby Gordon Motorsports will run GEM engines starting from next week's Daytona 500 practice, as part of the technical, manufacturing and marketing support program with one of the leading Dodge squads.

"I feel this agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports helps make the learning curve of the COT little bit easier to navigate," said Gordon, whose team was the best single-car operation in the owner points rankings 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."

GEM officials denied they had purchased Gordon's team, which has struggled to attract sponsors recently. The team somewhat adds Gordon to their triple Sprint Cup effort where they field cars for Kasey Kahne, Elliot Sadler and rookie Patrick Carpentier.

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

"This is an agreement to help a fellow Dodge team new to the family."

GEM 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 had tested a Ford this week at both Las Vegas and California, and ran under the blue oval banner also in the first weeks of January at Daytona. His relationship with Ford ends suddenly and just after a single season.

"Robby made a difficult decision to do what he thought was necessary to financially support and stabilize his race team," said Doug from 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 ranked 28th in the Sprint Cup owner points last year and thus has a guaranteed starting spot for the first five races of the season.