LAS VEGAS (May 15, 2001) Looking to make it three in a row, Orleans Racing heads to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula for the Sunday, May 20th, FoodsCo NASCAR Challenge Salinas 250 at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. Drivers Hershel McGriff and Brendan Gaughan are looking forward to conquering the 2.238-mile road course.
Shane Wilson, crew chief for the No. 16 NAPA/Martin Senour Chevrolet Monte Carlo, is confident of a great finish in the 154.422-mile race. Says Wilson of his driver, Brendan Gaughan, "I have a guy that has driven a lot of road courses, and I've been successful at a lot of road courses. I have all the confidence in the world as we head to Laguna Seca."
Team co-owner Michael Gaughan, father of driver Brendan Gaughan, would like another win for Orleans Racing. "If we get lucky and win Laguna Seca, that would mean we've won three in a row and all three types - speedway, short track and road course," said Gaughan. NASCAR legend, Hershel McGriff, who drives the No. 04 MBNA/Park Corp Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Orleans Racing this year, competed at Laguna Seca when the course was a 1.9-mile layout.
Between 1973 and 1981, the NASCAR Winston West series made six stops at Laguna Seca, with McGriff capturing the pole in the 1973 event. The new configuration doesn't daunt McGriff.
"I've won a lot of road courses. Laguna Seca has changed since I last drove it, so it will be a learning experience. But we will do good. We have a good team, a good car, and a great driver," said McGriff.
For more information about Orleans Racing, visit our websites at www.orleansracing.com and www.hershel-mcgriff.com.
