In many ways, Brendan Gaughan is the racer's racer. With a background of driving anything on four wheels, if he has free time, he is probably racing. Gaughan is competing as a rookie in the NASCAR Winston West series this year. He drives the No. 20 Walker Evans Racing/Orleans Hotel & Casino Chevrolet, but when not racing in that series he is racing off-road trucks and late models.

This weekend's Winston West race is at the Irwindale Speedway. It is interesting to note that the Las Vegas (Nev.) native scored his first late model win at this track. That win came in April and the young driver led wire to wire. With 5 off-road championships to his credit, winning was nothing new to Gaughan, but winning a stock car event was. And he showed his excitement by doing a cartwheel and hand stand at the start-finish line in celebration of that win.

The crowd would like to see that performance again at this weekend's Snap-On 250. And you can bet the kids would be happy to see the Gator on the hood, grab that checkered flag. It isn't going to be easy to win Irwindale, but count on this team and driver to give it their best effort. And if they win it is going to be a lot of fun. In fact it will be a party!

Note of interest: Fans, especially the young ones are always wanting to see this car. Come and meet this nice, young driver at the autograph session at the Irwindale Speedway. He just may have a driver card with that gator on it!

RacingWest: What was your impression of the first Irwindale Speedway and what did you like or dislike?
Brendan Gaughan: The track and facilities are beautiful. The race itself did not go so well for us and NASCAR had a few glitches that they had to work out and I'm sure the second time around things will go much better.

RW: What will you do to improve your finish over the last race at Irwindale?
BG: We had a great run going in Portland and just finished testing at Salt Lake City. We feel we have a much better car and the team is much more prepared.

RW: How important are tires at this track and do you feel one brand has any advantage over another?
BG: The first Irwindale race I would have said there was an advantage. But Goodyear has put a lot of time, money, and effort in being number one and at Portland we had a great tire. Irwindale's tire should be even better.

RW: Who will be in charge of the tires for you during the Irwindale race?
BG: Well, that's not a very simple question. During practice I try to keep a close eye on the stagger but for the race it is a crew chief decision as to how the tires are used with input from myself helping in the decision.

RW: What did you find the most technically challenging part of the track?
BG: Lots of turn, very little straight-aways!!

RW: Have you had any practice at the track since the last race?
BG: Yes, I have run a couple of Super Late Model races there.

RW: What do you like the most about the Irwindale Speedway?
BG: There are too many things to list. The track itself is in perfect condition. The garage area for tech and the facilities for the spectators and participants is top notch.

RW: Do you ever get a chance to practice pitstops and if you do what kind of time have you been averaging?
BG: Yes, Walker Evans Racing is a full time race team and we are constantly practicing. Each race I have gained positions in the pits. We may be the only team in the Winston West Series that can change 4 tires in 18 seconds...Don't believe me, time us!!

RW: After Irwindale you have 2 short-tracks and 2 super-speedway races coming up. Care to predict if your best finishes will be on the bullrings or super-speedways?
BG: That one is easy for me... Super-speedways.

RW: How difficult is it for you and the crew to have two races, back to back? Does it present any special problems?
BG: Like I mentioned before, we are a full-time race team with more than one car it posed no problems for us.