Robby Gordon came to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend with 100 points more than when he left the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wednesday, the National Stock Car Racing Commission ruled in favor of Robby Gordon Motorsports, overturning the penalties handed out following the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Gordon pointed out the importance of the commission’s ruling to his character and reputation as a driver.

“This is such a perception based business and being labeled a cheater is never good,” the single-car owner/driver explained. “Sponsors and fans don’t like that and we are working hard on the team to put this behind us.”

Besides the obvious reasons for appeal, Gordon explained the severity of the penalty was a major contributing factor. “We felt 100 points was over-the-top. We might have been alright with 25 points, but 100 points is for blatant cheating and manipulation of the rules.”

Going into the appeal, Robby Gordon Motorsports brought two complete front ends to plead their case. In addition, two representatives from Dodge Motorsports were on hand to help explain how the team got the nose.

“It was a clerical error,” Gordon explained. “[Dodge] thought the nose would be approved by Daytona and it wasn’t.” In the first practice session of the weekend Gordon was the second fastest Dodge in fifteenth spot.

As for Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500, Gordon points out the team must, “do the best job it can and manage the tires. We need to position ourselves to run in the top-10.” With the 100 points reinstated Gordon now finds himself in 21st, just fifty-five points outside of the top-12.