It's amusing to me to read some of the things posted on the internet. I actually enjoy reading the "stuff", it's interesting to see how and what shapes peoples opinions.

The media is an extremely powerful tool, either for you or against you. Only in America could Darryl Strawberry be single handedly run out of Los Angeles for his inability to control his problems and find refuge in the Big Apple, where now he is viewed as a "hero" as he battles for his life against cancer. It's horrible that the guy had to get cancer to be considered a "hero". Opinions change like the wind, don't they.

Maybe, just maybe, Darryl is a helluva guy. I don't know him personally, but I would like to. There are many guys and gals in sport today who have an opportunity to succeed or fail with the media.

As for me, I have won and lost. Fortunately, if you keep fighting you can have opportunity to earn back the respect. It is interesting to read that some people believe I have been handed all of my racing opportunities. It's also interesting that some people think I bag on people who support me. Some people think I'm a gifted driver and some think I crash all the time. But has anyone actually taken the time to get to know Robby Gordon? That's one of the ideas behind this column. Peter has given me a chance present a side of Robby Gordon maybe you haven't seen.

When I take time to reflect back during my early 20's, I can only tell you that I was slightly out of control. Ring a bell anyone? I don't want to compare myself to anyone else because that's not legit, but I have over the course of the last year especially, moved to a different stage of my life. Some of it by choice and some of it by necessity.

Does that mean that I'm any less aggressive or any less competitive. You know the answer to that. What it means is that I am more seasoned and slightly humbled for sure.

How do you make those changes. Surround yourself with great people. In most cases try to hire someone better than yourself. I've been fortunate to work with some of the best people in the business this past year. They are the best.

The old adage "You can't please all the people all of the time" certainly rings true. However, it's way better to have more friends than enemies. My good friend once told me, "If half of the people love you and half of the people hate you, you're getting way to much media attention.

Before I sound my mouth off, I am making a concentrated effort to think about all the consequences. Sometimes that's way too much thinking and so it's better to say nothing at all.

State your case, present the facts and stand on the gas.

Race On. Robby. Robby