Robby Gordon's efforts in the 2011 Dakar Rally suffered a major blow after problems with the right front wheel bearing on his Team Hummer entry prior to the start of stage 4 caused the veteran NASCAR driver to be disqualified from the 3,100-mile race.

The Team Hummer crew worked feverishly to make needed repairs, which forced them to be late for the start. Gordon completed stage 4 more than four hours behind the leaders.

Race organizers issued the following statement regarding Gordon’s disqualification:

Following a broken wheel bearing after 514 km of the link stage leading to the 4th special, American Robby Gordon (Hummer) was not able to reach the day's timed section, since the race officials had already closed the start point by the time his assistance team reached him. As a result, the Californian has been forced to abandon the rally.

The team has submitted a letter to race organizers asking to receive a time penalty instead of being disqualified.

Gordon, the only American to ever win a stage of the world famous Dakar Rally, started fourth in stage 1 on Sunday and finished eighth in the opening round of the 15 day event. Gordon dropped to 46th in stage 2 and battled back to 17th in stage 3.

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