Brendan Gaughan Q & A at California Speedway

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan stopped by California Speedway to promote the upcoming NASCAR weekend and answered some fan questions on Monday. Catch Brendan for a spectacular night race on Friday, February 24. Remember children 12 and under are free, for tickets call 800-944-RACE.

Q. How hard is it to have a shop in Vegas and traveling to the East Coast every week? – Garrett W. of Las Vegas, NV
We can’t lie, it is a little more difficult. But the main thing is to have a smart and prepared race team. We have been doing this for so long now, that we have the logistics down. How far ahead we have to plan, how much earlier we have to leave, shuttle trucks and extra truck drivers. These are a few of the things that we have gotten accustomed to and have become very adapt at. Also, don’t forget, in the Craftsman Truck Series, we only have 25 races on our schedule which leaves us a little more time (for a life) and to make it back and forth.

Q. Do you think you have a shot at winning at California Speedway? – Nick
I think we have a shot at winning every race!! But the team does put a lot of effort into the west coast races. California Speedway has always been one of my favorite race tracks and don’t forget, the Orleans Team is the defending champions of the race. Steve Park got his first Craftsman Truck Series win here last year!

Q. I heard you had some new sponsors coming on, any hints to who they are? When are you planning fan meeting this year? – Colleen L.
The team has been working really hard this off season, on the trucks and on the business side of things. We have moved Charlie Wilson into the General Manager role for the team and we were fortunate enough to hire Tom Buzze as our shop Manager. These two moves have really worked out well so far. Next we talked to JASPER and they are returning as a primary sponsor for the Orleans Racing team. The JASPER Engines folks and I have forged to good of a relationship to just throw it away.

As far as fan club meetings go, Melissa and the Snowman are already planning a lot of new things for the fan club members, so keep watching brendangaughan.com for more info and details!

Q. If I come to the Speedway, could I get your autograph? I am a big fan of yours. – Steve P.
I have always liked to be the most accessible driver and the Dodge trailer that has traveled to the race tracks for the last 4 years is no longer traveling to the race tracks. Therefore, we are currently scrambling to find another avenue to due our at track appearances. But I promise, being one of the west coast races we will find a place and make sure that the fans get to know about it! Keep checking on brendangaughan.com and orleansracing.com for more details.

Q. What is happening to the No. 62 New Orleans Dodge in the Truck Series this year? – Mike of Ontario, CA
The traditional No. 62 Orleans Hotel and Casino Dodge has been put into early retirement. But the paint scheme that has become synonymous with the Orleans team will return on the No. 77 Orleans Dodge this year along with the JASPER Engines paint scheme and a couple of others that will be run throughout the 2006 season.

Q. Are you going to be making any appearances in the area during the upcoming races at California Speedway? You are my favorite driver in the Craftsman Truck Series and my Explorer still has the No. 77 stickers on it ‘cause I know you will be in a Cup ride in the near future. You have too much talent and energy to be held back! Good luck in your motorsports career, this is going to be your year! – Roy S. of Fontana, CA
I always make time when I come to California Speedway. Just not quite sure exactly where I will be yet, but I promise we will get the info out in plenty of time so that we can have fun with the Southern Cal fans!

And I appreciate what a huge fan that you are and, yes, we all know that I have energy to spare, but I am very happy rebuilding the Orleans team to its former greatness and don’t really care or worry about getting back to the Nextel Cup Series. It won’t be anytime soon, that’s for sure!

Thanks everyone for your time and I can’t wait to see you all at the California Speedway in a couple of weeks!!!

Racing tickets make great holiday presents or rewards for family, friends, employees and coworkers during the holiday season. Treat yourself and loved ones to season tickets or individual tickets to any of the 2006 events. To purchase tickets for the 2006 California Speedway racing season, contact the speedway ticket office at 800-944-RACE [7223] or purchase your tickets online.

from CaliforniaSpeedway.com