Circle Bar Racing Tabs Brendan Gaughan to Drive No. 10 International MaxxForce F-150

Circle Bar Racing announced today the selection of Brendan Gaughan as the driver of the No. 10 International MaxxForce™ Diesel Ford F-150 for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. With continued sponsorship from International® Truck and Engine Corporation of the two-truck effort at Circle Bar Racing, Gaughan will team with 11-year series veteran Rick Crawford. Bryan Berry, who led Gaughan's truck series effort in 2007, will assume crew chief duties for the No. 10 entry. The announcement was made prior to this week's Preseason Thunder test session at Daytona International Speedway (Jan. 11 – 13).

"I really want to thank the Mitchells for giving me this opportunity, and Rick Crawford for helping to get it in place. I appreciate the fact that Circle Bar Racing found value, not only in me, but my crew as well, and now it's time to go win races in the No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford." said Gaughan. "I wore No. 10 when I played high school football and now I'm looking forward to driving it into victory lane."

With eight career Craftsman Truck Series victories to his credit – including a stretch of four consecutive wins at Texas Motor Speedway between 2002 and 2003 – Gaughan will look to improve on his 11th-place points finish in 2007.

"It's exciting to know that I'm stepping into a competitive situation right from the get-go, and I look forward to building on the accomplishments of an organization that has been a staple in the Craftsman Truck Series for more than a decade," said Gaughan. "I've had my best results at Texas Motor Speedway in the past, and knowing that it's the home track for Mr. Mitchell and Circle Bar, that just adds to the anticipation of the season."

Circle Bar Racing expanded to a two-truck operation in 2007 and experienced immediate success, posting two top-10 finishes in the final driver point standings. With Crawford behind the wheel of Circle Bar Racing's flagship No. 14 Ford since its truck series debut in 1997, the organization has posted five victories and four poles.

"We couldn't be prouder to have Brendan representing Circle Bar Racing, International and Ford," said Lisa Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Circle Bar Racing. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership from his previous role, and he knows what it takes to race for wins and a championship. We feel with the combination of Rick Crawford and Brendan Gaughan, Circle Bar Racing will not only be one of the toughest competitors on the track, but one of the most entertaining off the track as well."

Circle Bar Racing was established in 1978 and has been synonymous with Ford Motor Co. since becoming involved in the motor sports, having competed in nothing but Ford products in that time. The organization, which has competed in the Indianapolis 500, CART and NASCAR, was formed by Tom Mitchell and is headquartered in Ozona, Texas.

"I'm excited to have Brendan as a teammate at Circle Bar Racing, and I'm ready to start the 2008 season and head to the high banks of Daytona with Kevin 'Cowboy' Starland (crew chief, No. 14) and Bryan Berry leading our two teams," said Crawford, winner of the 2003 Daytona 250. "We have high expectations for the season, and we'll both be looking to make bold moves out on the race track in our International Truck and Engine Ford F-150s."

The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season commences on February 15, at Daytona International Speedway with the running of ninth annual Daytona 250. Live action can be seen on SPEED, the exclusive home of the Craftsman Truck Series.