Gordon ready for double duty, cuts two races from Busch schedule

INDIANAPOLIS — The busiest man in auto racing is cutting his schedule to better prepare for the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.

Robby Gordon, who last week qualified at Indy and raced in two NASCAR events in Richmond, Va., said Wednesday he will pass up two Busch Series races this week and next to give himself extra time to practice for his May 30 double in Indianapolis and Charlotte.

“I need to run as many laps as possible in order to have a great car for the race,” Gordon said. “We’ve got a good shot at making history by winning both races, and that’s the goal.”

Gordon has driven at Indianapolis and at Charlotte the same day three times in the past four years. He was eighth at Indy and 16th at Charlotte in 2002 and 22nd and 17th, respectively, last year.

He said his qualification for the 18th starting position at Indianapolis this year prompted his decision to skip the NASCAR Busch races Sunday at Nazareth, Pa., and May 29 at Charlotte.

His Nextel Cup schedule will not be changed, Gordon said.

“We didn’t qualify where we wanted to at Indy, but I have complete faith in my guys that by race time we’ll have one of the cars to beat. They’re doing everything we ask of them,” he said. “We had the schedule worked out to do it all, but by taking two (Busch) races off the schedule, I think we’ll be better prepared for Indy and Charlotte.”