NASCAR driver Robby Gordon ended Monday’s 9th stage of the 2010 Dakar Rally in 12th place which was shortened to 354 km after being delayed due to dense fog in the area.

The stage took the competitors from Copiapo to La Serena and was the final stage in the Atacama desert in Chile.

"Today was a tough day, especially through the tricky dune sections and soft sand," Robby Gordon said.  "I got the Monster Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER stuck twice, but we survived with another top-10 finish.  One thing that we learned during this Rally is that we can't be stopped.  Our competition never stops; this race is about endurance and how quickly you recover from obstacles that are thrown at you. I think that we have done a really good job getting back up when we get knocked down."

Gordon remains 10th overall but is now five hours and 34 minutes behind leader Carlos Sainz.

Today’s stage will take the drivers from La Serena to Santiago via the mountains. The stage will be difficult but a relief from the dry desert the teams have endured for the past few stages.

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