Is there truly a hometown advantage for a driver? One driver certainly hopes so. Brendan Gaughan, of Las Vegas, Nev., will be competing in this weeks NASCAR Winston West Series event at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“We really feel that being a hometown favorite, so to speak, will definitely help us.” Said Gaughan, “It really gets the crew pumped up.”
With a disappointing run a Phoenix International Raceway, the entire Orleans Racing team is looking to prove that they are still the team to beat and get back on their championship stride. And they will be looking to prove themselves at Las Vegas.
If you are ready to meet a great team and driver, come on out and meet Brendan Gaughan and the Orleans Racing Team! Looking for a future star? Look no further! The brightest stars shine in the west and Gaughan like a number of his peers will be especially brilliant this Wednesday Night at the Bullring! Don't miss seeing the stars race under the night skies when you are in Vegas!
RacingWest: What are your goals for this season?
Brendan Gaughan: To win a third Championship in a row for NAPA, and win Orleans Racing a second consecutive championship!
RW: How did the season-opener at Phoenix International Raceway go for you and the team?
BG: Well... We "WERE" awesome! The guys built a couple of brand new cars over the winter and this was one of them. It very well may have been the best car ever built on the West coast! But a right front tire let go going into turn 3, while we were running a half lap ahead of the field with Ken Schrader.
RW: Have you had a chance to test at The Bullring in Las Vegas?
BG: We test there quite often. Thanks to our shop being located at LVMS and the their excellent support, we were able to test at the Bullring number of times dating all the way back to last year.
RW: What are you expecting at the event and what do you think it will take to win?
BG: Of Course, the NAPA car will win (Mine not Michael Waltrip's)!! The Bullring is a very challenging track, and it will be tough to pass, but that will make for some exciting racing!
RW: How do you feel now that the series is on one tire?
BG: I am very happy that the series is on one tire. Now the best Car and Driver and Team
will be the deciding factor as to who will win. Didn't really like the tire at
Phoenix but as long as we all run them, I am happy.
RW: There seemed to be mixed emotions having a Winston Cup driver win the race at PIR. There will be a Winston Cup drivers in this event as well. Do you think there is less of an advantage for the Winston Cup drivers on a short-track than a larger track like PIR and why or why not?
BG: The only mixed emotion I heard came from the bench racers. I don't believe they will have much of an advantage at the Bullring because they have never run there before, therefore how can you say "They have an advantage because they are WINSTON CUP drivers" I say bologna!!
RW: Do you like running with or without the Winston Cup drivers in a Winston West event?
BG: Hell Yes I like running with the best! Why race if you don't want to compete against those who are considered "the Best". And I have not heard one racer complain about them taking our purses. The only people saying that are the people watching, not the competitors!
RW: Do you have a car or driver appearance scheduled at Vegas?
BG: Yes, we will be at the Orleans Casino on Tuesday night. And be available at the shop all week long!! Stop by and check out the shop, we welcome all visitors!
RW: What is your favorite thing to do at Vegas when not busy with the car?
BG: Well, since I have been born and raised in Vegas and still call this place home, I have a lot of favorite things and places. But not enough time or space to write about them!
RW: Will you be competing at any other events while in Vegas?
BG: Yes, the Orleans Race Team will be entering the UAW-400 Winston Cup race on Sunday. We have leased a vehicle and all the necessary motors and equipment from RCR racing for qualifying and race. See you on Sunday!
RW: What is your game-plan now that one race is down and your goals may have to be adjusted?
BG: Since we have our home here in Vegas, we are considering what happened in Phoenix to be our "Handicap". We now must rise to that occasion and just flat out GET IT DONE!! Race consistently and put our team in a position to win each week.
CREW CHIEF: Shane Wilson
SPONSORS: NAPA Auto Parts/ Orleans Hotel & Casino
TRANSPORT DRIVER: Bill Caldwell "Wingnut"
SPOTTER: Billy Holbrook "The Batman"
CREW: Martie Moore, Todd Retelsdorf, Wilbur Lafont, Mike Master, Aaron Brown
