de Ferran to Walker?
Robby too Kool?
By Jim DeFord©1996 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Rumors abound, mainly around IndyCar drivers Robby Gordon and Gil de Ferran. With Jim Hall announcing his retirement from IndyCar racing, the entire Hall Racing Team is looking for work.
Word has it that de Ferran has already signed with Walker Racing to replace Robby Gordon on that team. Looks as though Gil will bring the Honda powerplant with him and Scott Goodyear is out.
Speaking of Scott Goodyear, it seems that he has been abducted by aliens! No firm news on Scott, but it looks as he will retire from IndyCar racing after his back injury.
And speaking of "Scott's," it has been confirmed that Scott Pruett will drive at least one more year for Patrick Racing. There was a one-year option remaining on his contract and Mr. Patrick has exercised that option.
So, where does Pennzoil go? To Patrick Racing? To the IRL?
SpeedCenter has been informed that The Speedway has told Pennzoil that unless they move all their sponsorship to the IRL that they are not welcome at the Brickyard 400 in 1997.
Politics and motorsports just do not mix. And the threats just keep on coming!
Inside sources have told SpeedCenter that Walker Racing and Robby Gordon will definitely go their separate ways. Robby also loses the Valvoline sponsorship that will stay with Walker.
Robby has been seen conferencing with Team Green who will carry the Kool livery in 1997 with a reported huge budget for the 1997 season.
Robby's goal is to stay in IndyCar. He said at Michigan last weekend that, "...there is too much to prove {in IndyCar) yet."
In addition, Robby spent most of the weekend talking with Carl Hogan. Even though this was obviously before Emmo's accident on Sunday, will Emmo retire and run his own team in 1997? Can you say Brahma?
Robby was also seen several times chatting with Bobby Rahal. Speculation would say that Robby was wanting more info on Carl Hogan.
Gordon says that he will not go to the IRL, though he would like to race in the Indy 500. He also said that NASCAR would be his last choice.
Robby mentioned that he is not blaming the Walker Racing Team for his woes, but also said that both the media and Derrick Walker are not saying pretty things about him.
You have to look at what Robby accomplished at the Marlboro 500. Started last, finished eighth. The team decided to run the race with the Cosworth XB Series II rather than the XD. The XD has suffered huge reliability problems and their gamble paid off.
