NASCAR WWEST: Strong Teamwork Puts Orleans Racing Driver Brendan Gaughan in First Place
29 March 2000
March 29, 2000 (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Orleans Racing's homework really paid off this weekend at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California, where it notched a first place finish in the Outback Steakhouse Presents the Coors 250, and took an early-season lead in the point standings. Driver Brendan Gaughan and the NAPA/Martin Senour-sponsored team dropped back several positions just after the green flag dropped marking the start of Saturday's NASCAR Winston West event, then worked patiently and tirelessly throughout the first 126 laps, re-gaining positions and waiting for an opportunity to take over the lead. That opportunity came on lap 127, and Gaughan stayed easily ahead of the pack for the remainder of the 200-lap race. "This is the one I've been waiting for," remarked a jubilant Gaughan from Victory Circle. "Our plan was to drop back early, and slowly pull up. The fact that it all worked shows the NAPA team definitely knows what they're doing. It's all been coming together." Gaughan and the team capped off the weekend by finishing a solid 13th in Sunday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, the Dodge California Truck Stop 250. "Our results this weekend reflect all the hard work the team has put in over the past several months," said Bill McAnally, president, Orleans Racing. "Shane has helped us a lot on pit stops and set up, and the entire team has put forth a huge effort to make this happen. This team has really started to gel." The Dodge California 250 was broadcast on ESPN2 on March 26 beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. The Outback Steakhouse Presents the Coors 250 will be broadcast on Speedvision on May 6 at 9:00 p.m. and on May 11 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Orleans Racing owns and operates the No. 16 NASCAR Winston West Series and the No. 62 Craftsman Truck Series teams sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts/Martin Senour Automotive Finishes/NAPA Filters/NAPA Belts & Hoses/Orleans Hotel & Casino/Prolong Super Lubricants Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The teams are 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. - end -