ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series race truck driver Branden Underwood signed a driver development deal this week with Brendan Gaughan Racing for 2010. Brendan Gaughan currently drives #62 Southpoint Hotel, Casino & Spa, Chevrolet Impala SS, for Rusty Wallace Racing in the NASCAR’s Nationwide Series and he currently is in the top 10 driver points standings.
Branden Underwood is a 16 year old Junior High School Student from Las Vegas Nevada. Underwood stated “he is excited to be driving for Brendan Gaughan Racing, he inspires me to become a great driver! With his support he will be able to allow me to race the full schedule in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series in 2010’’.
With this being Underwood’s first year racing the #28 Dodge Dakota in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series is an adjustment he is getting used to, driving the 2600 lb. race truck on a circle track compared to a 300 lb. go kart. With Underwood’s background racing open wheel karts for 8 years, career racing record of 21 First Place Wins, 101 Top Five finishes, and 36 top Tens. And with WKA National and IKF Regional Championship titles prepared him for this new series.
Currently in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series Underwood has finished 5th place at Havasu 95 Speedway, received a hard charger award for most trucks past and qualified at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring with a 6th place pole position and several top ten finishes. He will be competing the season racing at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway and again at Havasu 95 Speedway.
Dana Stahl is the Crew Chief for Underwood Racing, his experience includes;
5 years as Brendan Gaughan’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Setup and Heavy Fab person, 20 years of building race cars and 15 years racing stock cars. Stahl stated “I enjoy working with young talented drivers and Branden has great racing skill techniques to become a successful race car driver and the potential to be a winner”!
Branden Underwood’s goal for 2010 is to finish in the top five in every race, and to take what he learns to move up to the next level one day in Craftsman Truck Series, progressing to Nationwide and then graduating to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.
Branden would like to thank his current sponsors who helped him race the current 2009 season. Terrible Herbst, Prestige Plumbing, Star Nursery, Bill Varnes at Mirage Racing Products, Butch’s Speed Shop, Patricks Signs and Hogan Chiropractic. For sponsorship opportunities with Underwood Racing contact KerriU@aol.com.
