Robby Gordon and Honda

Robby Gordon has had a rough ride of it this season, as the stock-car tour's lone owner-driver. But in a most curious twist, Honda appears to be a looming player in the game. Gordon said that John Menard, the wealthy home-improvements businessman who owns the engine-building operation in England, Menard Engineering, that supplies his Nextel Cup motors, is negotiating a sale of that division to Honda for a second Formula One program. "But it won't affect our (Cup) engines next season," Gordon said. "Menard will continue to provide the engines, and he will also be a sponsor for 13 races." The Honda-Menard deal is figured to be part of an effort by the Japanese car maker to deal with Toyota in F-1. Menard is the father of Paul Menard, who is expected to move up to a part-time Cup ride with Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season. Winston Salem Journal