[jks812]

Hearing that Brendan Gaughan most likely will be driving for Rusty Wallace Inc. in the Nationwide Series for 2009. Also hearing that the deal is not completely finalized as yet, and Gaughan is also looking at possible opportunities available in the Cup Series.(12-19-200

[jks812]

UPDATE: The deal has not yet been finalized, however, because Gaughan is waiting for a final decision to be made on Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's #41 Sprint Cup Dodge. A source close to the situation called Gaughan's deal with RWR "99 percent done," with an announcement expected after the holidays. That would leave the seat of the Circle Bar Racing #10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford vacant for next season. Asked about a possible return to the #10 Truck, Gaughan told Sirius Speedway Wednesday "I won't drive a truck for anyone but them. We have a great relationship, and I really enjoy driving for Tom Mitchell and Rick Crawford. But there are a couple of other opportunities out there, and we want to give everything a good look before making a decision."(Sirius-Speedway.com

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

UPDATE: The deal has not yet been finalized, however, because Gaughan is waiting for a final decision to be made on Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's #41 Sprint Cup Dodge. A source close to the situation called Gaughan's deal with RWR "99 percent done," with an announcement expected after the holidays. That would leave the seat of the Circle Bar Racing #10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford vacant for next season. Asked about a possible return to the #10 Truck, Gaughan told Sirius Speedway Wednesday "I won't drive a truck for anyone but them. We have a great relationship, and I really enjoy driving for Tom Mitchell and Rick Crawford. But there are a couple of other opportunities out there, and we want to give everything a good look before making a decision."(Sirius-Speedway.com

You've been down this road once, with Penske, Gonzo.

Remember the definition for insanity; don't the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

You've been down this road once, with Penske, Gonzo.

Remember the definition for insanity; don't the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

I was thinkin the same dang thing Bob. Not gonna end good this time around either.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I was thinkin the same dang thing Bob. Not gonna end good this time around either.

Especially if he goes with Earnhardt/Ganassi. Two "stumbling, grasping for straws," who merge isn't likely to be a ticket to success. But, I could easily be wrong. I hope I am. I like both Gonzo and Chip; neither are in NA__AR because they have to or because they don't know anything else.

But I would rather see him stay with Tom Mitchell. Tom is probably one of the most under rated team owners currently in NA__AR.

As far as him racing for Rusty... That is the most insane thing I've heard. He has about as much chance of success there as someone who would go to work for Brenden's dad managing one of his casinos, with the hope that one day he'd take over the entire corporation.

My personal feeling is to never go to work in a close-knot family business, working with family members, with hopes of rising to the top. The odds are it just isn't ever going to happen.

[jks812]

I would like to see him stay in the trucks with the same team. I don't want him to go to cup and I don't really want him driving for Rusty either.

[Racer Duck]

One of the problems with "wishing" and the "real world" is "wishing" don't care about paying the bills or personal goals - it's all about us wanting something to make us feel good.

Now, I wouldn't say Brendan has any worry about being able to pay his bills, but I think he does have ambition (as well as talent.) He WANTS to race in Cup: he wants the prestige and he wants the bigger paycheck and he wants to see his name in the headlines Monday morning. He'll never get that if he stays in trucks. At the same time, if he can't get a Cup ride, being in the Cup-lite league is the next best thing.

Just look at Benson and Hornaday: they are acknowledged superstars in trucks, but considered also-rans in Cup and Cup-lite. They've chosen to be big frogs in a small(er) pond 'cause they've been to the city (big pond) and didn't like it. I challenge anyone to make the case that either one of them would be a serious factor in any Cup race, much less for an entire season - the fact is both have achieved their "comfort level" and are unwilling to venture out on a (semi) permanent basis.

Brendan, on the other hand, has had a single season in Cup (2004 driving the Kodak car) with passable results. methinks he's always thought he's capable of duplicating that season and possibly improving on it. Whether he is or not is not so important as him being able to scratch that itch (in his eyes.)

I wish him well. I believe he's one of the very few "players" capable of moving (back) into Cup and making an instant mark .. unlike Speed and Sliced Bread, though the EGR outfit is definitely suspect though they are capable of fielding a competitive team .. just don't know if they will.

I don't care much for Rusty either, but he has something many owners don't: he knows how to drive and win. And it doesn't hurt that he has a Championship trophy in his trophy case either... Lord knows Brendan is light years better than Steven...

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

One of the problems with "wishing" and the "real world" is "wishing" don't care about paying the bills or personal goals - it's all about us wanting something to make us feel good.

Like my dad always says... if wishes were fishes, we'd all have a fry.

[jks812]

I agree with you RD about Johnny and Ron. As good as they are in the trucks, they are no where near that good in a car. I also agree that Brendan would probably do pretty good in a car. It's not that I don't want to see him succeed in cup, I do, I just don't want to lose him in the trucks.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by jks812

I agree with you RD about Johnny and Ron. As good as they are in the trucks, they are no where near that good in a car. I also agree that Brendan would probably do pretty good in a car. It's not that I don't want to see him succeed in cup, I do, I just don't want to lose him in the trucks.

It's both good and bad that the general public doesn't realize that trucks are where the real racing is today. I guess if NASCAR were to promote it more it would become sour to us just as the cup series has become. No real easy way to get more $$$ into trucks without it being destroyed from within management ranks.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

It's both good and bad that the general public doesn't realize that trucks are where the real racing is today. I guess if NASCAR were to promote it more it would become sour to us just as the cup series has become. No real easy way to get more $$$ into trucks without it being destroyed from within management ranks.

Thats true. I believe if they started messing with it and promoting it much more, they would then ruin it like they have the cup series. But I think from the ratings increase this past season, more people are finding out the trucks have the best racing. Here's hoping Nascar doesn't figure it out.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

One of the problems with "wishing" and the "real world" is "wishing" don't care about paying the bills or personal goals - it's all about us wanting something to make us feel good.

Now, I wouldn't say Brendan has any worry about being able to pay his bills, but I think he does have ambition (as well as talent.) He WANTS to race in Cup: he wants the prestige and he wants the bigger paycheck and he wants to see his name in the headlines Monday morning. He'll never get that if he stays in trucks. At the same time, if he can't get a Cup ride, being in the Cup-lite league is the next best thing.

Just look at Benson and Hornaday: they are acknowledged superstars in trucks, but considered also-rans in Cup and Cup-lite. They've chosen to be big frogs in a small(er) pond 'cause they've been to the city (big pond) and didn't like it. I challenge anyone to make the case that either one of them would be a serious factor in any Cup race, much less for an entire season - the fact is both have achieved their "comfort level" and are unwilling to venture out on a (semi) permanent basis.

Brendan, on the other hand, has had a single season in Cup (2004 driving the Kodak car) with passable results. methinks he's always thought he's capable of duplicating that season and possibly improving on it. Whether he is or not is not so important as him being able to scratch that itch (in his eyes.)

I wish him well. I believe he's one of the very few "players" capable of moving (back) into Cup and making an instant mark .. unlike Speed and Sliced Bread, though the EGR outfit is definitely suspect though they are capable of fielding a competitive team .. just don't know if they will.

I don't care much for Rusty either, but he has something many owners don't: he knows how to drive and win. And it doesn't hurt that he has a Championship trophy in his trophy case either... Lord knows Brendan is light years better than Steven...

Very good point, Charlie. My desire to see Gonzo stay in Trucks IS something which gives ME a "warm & fuzzy." I guess it's because I've pretty much given up on Cup as being a "real racing" series, but rather one almost strictly for media hype, advertising and contrived entertainment. The Truck series is the closest thing NA__AR has in its three main series which even remotely resembles what I term "real racing."

Besides, I still haven't figured out what Brenden did to whiz in Dom Miller's Cherrios? His being discarded for Travis Kvapil will probably always be a mystery to me.

For that reason it makes me feel good to deny Cup a driver like Brenden. Cup just, in my eyes, doesn't "deserve" him. But, I'm sure that you're right. He considers his racing career incomplete without some sort of success in Cup.

As far as the "Big fish in a small pond" syndrome, one name immediately springs to my mine, Mike Eddy. I first met Mike in 1968, when he joined the ASA, before it became a major touring series. He ended up with six or seven ASA championships and had numerous chances to go to ARCA and NASCAR. But Mike never had a desire to be anywhere but the Midwest and declined the offers (He did run a couple of ARCA races in Ohio).

I think there is something to be said for not surcoming to the glitz and glamor and riches of NA__AR. Everything comes with a price tag attached.

[jks812]

UPDATE 2: Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC (RWR) have announced that former NASCAR Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Brendan Gaughan, will pilot the team's #62 Chevy in a full-season bid for 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. Gaughan assumes the ride-formerly the #64-driven by David Stremme and Max Papis to a top-ten finish in the 2008 standings. Brian Berry, Gaughan’s long-time truck series crew chief, will accompany Gaughan in his move and head the #62 team in 2009.(Rusty Wallace Racing PR