Richard Childress Racing’s Mike Dillon and long-time NASCAR competitor Brendan Gaughan announced Friday morning at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, that Gaughan, 38 will return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series full-time in 2014 driving the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro.
Gaughan, the Las Vegas, Nevada native last competed full-time in NASCAR’s second-tier series in 2010 driving for Rusty Wallace Racing.
Friday’s announcement is not all that surprising, noting that Gaughan’s teammate Ty Dillon is also moving up to the NNS tour next year after spending two full-time seasons on the circuit. The presence of the RCR banner on the Camping World Truck Series tour next season though remains to be seen.
When addressing the media on Friday morning, Gaughan an eight-time winner in trucks noted that this was the perfect time to make the jump back to Nationwide and furthermore that RCR located in Welcome, North Carolina was “his home.”
“I’m really happy to be taking on this new challenge in my career and returning to full-time competition in the Nationwide Series,” said Gaughan. “We didn’t accomplish our goal this season of winning the Truck Series championship, but with the achievements Shane (Wilson) has in the Nationwide Series, and knowing how strong the team currently is, I’m extremely excited to be entering a new season moving up in the NASCAR ranks. Also knowing that I’ll be driving championship-caliber RCR equipment has really provided me with a lot of confidence to make this move.”
Although Gaughan doesn’t anticipate running any NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races next season, Dillon said that they will “probably” find a race for him to do at some point. More than likely, that will be at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, his hometown track.
The move makes sense for the former Truck Rookie of the Year as Richard Childress Racing. Why?
The time has come where I feel that Gaughan will have an impeccable year (2014) in Nationwide competition and he will be a great mentor for Ty Dillon and Brian Scott, the other two full-time entries confirmed for next season. He’s done his duties in the trucks.
Gaughan’s driving style also makes him a threat. His late-style attack on the field, could be a benefit and ultimately what keeps him in the championship hunt.
Ultimately, Richard Childress feels the same way.
“It is great to have Brendan Gaughan and South Point back with us for another season,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Brendan has proved he can race and win in NASCAR. We’re looking forward to having him with us full time next year in the Nationwide Series driving the No. 62 South Point Chevrolet Camaro. Michael Gaughan has been a big supporter of RCR, and racing in general, for many years and it’s a privilege to have him and Brendan as part of our team in 2014.”
One thing that Gaughan will have to do though is win. He’s very consistent when things go his way, but just hasn’t been able to seal the deal as far as winning is concerned.
In 84 starts, his best finish is second in the spring race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. And heading into Saturday’s fred’s 250 powered by Coca-Cole at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Gaughan hasn’t won in a truck since 2003.
Over 14 years of NCWTS racing, the former NASCAR Winston West Series champion has raced for six different teams including his father, Michael Gaughan. He debuted in 1997 driving for Walker Evans and subsequently drove for Mike Farris, Gaughan (Orleans Racing), Tom Mitchell and Germain Racing before landing at RCR.
More RCR News:
– A spokesperson for Richard Childress Racing said that Austin Dillon’s 2014 plans, which are said to include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is coming “soon.” It’s expected when that announcement happens, Dillon will revive the No. 3, which hasn’t been used in NSCS competition since Dale Earnhardt’s Sr. death in the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
– Furthermore, Gaughan will not compete in any of the remaining 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series races to prepare for his 2014 endeavors.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
