Brendan Gaughan in a joint venture with veteran car owner Bill McAnally will be driving the No. 16 NAPA/Orleans Motorsports Chevrolet for 2000 season. Gaughan from Las Vegas, started his rookie year without much fanfare, but before the 1999 season was over the personable driver was crossing the line with top-fives and was a threat for the win at every event he entered.
Look for Gaughan to be a threat again this year. Today he will compete in the first race of the millennium for the NASCAR Winston West at Phoenix International Raceway. After a good qualifying run, he will start 11th on the grid. Knowing Gaughan, he isn't going to waste time worrying about what is in his mirror, he will be chasing down the leaders.
Next week the team travels to California to compete in both the NASCAR Winston West and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Events. Future plans include a run for the championship in the NASCAR Winston West schedule and select NASCAR Craftsman Truck, NASCAR Winston Cup and even CORR offroad events. Come on out to Phoenix or Mesa to cheer him on. You may also visit him on the web at orleansracing.com for driver profiles, updates, photos and much, much more.
Name: Brendan Gaughan
Team: Orleans Racing
Car No.: Winston West 16 & Craftsman Truck 62
Car Owners: Bill McAnally and Michael Gaughan
RacingWest: Will you be racing the entire Winston West season or only select events?
Brendan Gaughan: The Orleans Racing Team will be competing in the entire NASCAR Winston West Series, four to six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events, two to three NASCAR Winston Cup events, and two recently-added CORR Off-Road races!
RW: If racing select events, which ones are you planning on entering?
BG: In the NCT, we will definitely enter Phoenix, Mesa Marin, Portland, and Monroe. We also are currently making plans to run Gateway International and Chicago Motor Speedway in the Truck Series. Fontana and Phoenix are the sites for our two Winton Cup races with Texas as a possible third race. All the Cup races are tentative until we see how well we test.
RW: What are your goals this season?
BG: First and foremost, we are here to win back-to-back NASCAR Winston West Championships for NAPA Auto Parts and Martin-Senour Automotive Finishes. Next, is to show well at our selected NCT venues and place ourselves in a position to run a full season next year. Finally, we hope to make the show for the two Winston Cup races scheduled.
RW: Have you made any changes on your team this year?
BG: Yes. Bill McAnally has joined forces with The Orleans to create what will hopefully become the standard for racing on the west coast. The crew consists of a mixture of Bill McAnally's championship crew along with many of the people who have been on my team for most of my career. We will continue to be the familiar No. 16 in the Winston West Series but will sport the No. 62 for our NCT races and Winston Cup races. Our primary sponsor is NAPA Auto Parts.
RW: What changes have you made with your car and/or where did you get your car?
BG: We have all of the winning Chevrolet Monte Carlos that helped Bill McAnally capture the 1999 Championship, and have added one of my old Monte Carlos from Walker Evans Racing. We have also built two brand new racecars. Our Silverado trucks came from the acquisition of the Chesrown Racing team last fall and are all the former trucks of the successful NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, Rick Carelli.
RW: Do you feel your car is ready for the event?
BG: All of our vehicles have been very well prepared by the new team and are ready to race.
RW: What do you think will be the trick for a good finish at Phoenix International Raceway?
BG: I have to pace myself. I will run 150 laps in the Craftsman Truck race followed by 100 laps in Winston West. My goal is to qualify well in the NCT, keep a steady pace all day, and make a run in the end. In the West car we are going to every track with the attitude that we should be on the pole and win every race! But patience must rule. I learned that last year and plan on being really patient.
RW: Have you had an opportunity to test at PIR?
BG: Yes, fortunately we were able to have a one-day test session at PIR and it went well. We had new equipment and new people and it was good to get our feet wet together.
RW: What are your feelings of the elimination of the points race in Japan?
BG: I'm rather disappointed. I really liked the race in Japan. It brought good publicity to our series and the people over there loved us. It was the biggest crowd I have ever seen for a Winston West Series event.
RW: If you don't win this event, who would you like to see win?
BG: Somebody that won't be racing all year!
RW: Will you be offering any opportunities for the fans to get your autograph at Phoenix?
BG: Of course. I don't have specifics yet, but since NAPA is the race sponsor, I'm sure we will be doing something for all the NAPA people in the area.
The shop consists of:
Kevin Kroyer - Engine Builder
Ken Simonson - Chief Fabricator
Marty Moore - Fabricator
Chris Diederich - Car Chief
Shane - Truck Chief
"L'il" Scotty Meesters - Engine Tuner, Fabricator
Will Lafonte - Mechanic, Truck Driver
"Gator" Griff - Truck Driver
