NASCAR: Orleans Racing Postpones Cup Debut, Announces 2000 Schedule
1 March 2000
ORLEANS RACING POSTPONES CUP DEBUT, ANNOUNCES 2000 SCHEDULE Las Vegas, Nev.) - Orleans Racing today announced its race schedule for the 2000 season. The NAPA/Martin Senour-sponsored team will run the full NASCAR Winston West series schedule, as well as several Craftsman Truck series events, including the March 18th Phoenix International Raceway, March 26th Mesa Marin Raceway, June 3rd Evergreen Speedway, and October 28th California Speedway events. The team also announces that it will postpone its debut into the Winston Cup series. Plans to attempt to qualify for the upcoming Winston Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway were cancelled due to the team's inability to obtain adequate test time prior to the event. The team has rescheduled its Cup debut to the April 30th event at California Speedway. Driver Brendan Gaughan commented, "The guys all worked very hard on the Cup car, and are understandably disappointed. Between the weather and the new car blues, we just didn't feel ready, and we all know that you don't show up for a Winston Cup race unless you're 100 percent ready. The car will be excellent. We just need some more time." Bill McAnally, president, Orleans Racing, said "Our 2000 schedule provides great exposure for our sponsors, NAPA and Martin Senour, and puts us in a position to not only defend our 1999 Winston West championship, but also get some good experience in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series." Concerning the postponement of the Cup debut, McAnally explained "It's a disappointment, but we agree that postponing our Cup debut is the best decision for us. We're very lucky to have sponsors behind us who understand how important it is to be truly ready for such a big move. We need to thoroughly test the new car we've built prior to attempting to qualify for such a high-level event. Rescheduling our initial Cup effort to the April event at California Speedway allows us nearly two months additional preparation time." Orleans Racing owns and operates the No. 16 NAPA Auto Parts/Martin Senour Automotive Finishes/NAPA Filters/NAPA Belts & Hoses/Orleans Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Winston West Series and the No. 62 Craftsman Truck Series teams, operated under the direction of team co-owner Bill McAnally. In addition to winning the 1999 NASCAR Winston West championship, McAnally's team led the series in the Gatorade Front Runner Award and the Clevite Engine Builder Award races, laps completed and best average finish. Results from the 1999 Winston West season included two wins, five top fives and ten top ten finishes and two Bud Pole Awards. 2000 Event Schedule March 17, 18 Phoenix International Raceway Phoenix AZ - Craftsman Truck-Winston West March 24,25,26 Mesa Marin Raceway Bakersfield CA - Craftsman Truck-Winston West April 22 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas NV - Winston West April 27-30 California Speedway Fontana CA - Winston Cup - Winston West May 20, 21 Laguna Seca Raceway Monterey CA - Winston West June 2, 3 Evergreen Speedway Seattle WA - Craftsman Truck June 24 Irwindale Speedway Irwindale CA - Winston West July 4 Portland Speedway Portland OR - Winston West July 16 Evergreen Speedway Monroe WA - Winston West August 19 Irwindale Speedway Irwindale CA - Winston West September 4 Rocky Mountain Raceway Salt Lake City UT - Winston West October 21, 22 Mesa Marin Raceway Bakersfield CA - Winston West October 27, 28 California Speedway Fontana CA - Craftsman Truck November 11 Irwindale Speedway Irwindale CA - Winston West