Brendan Gaughan Joins Rusty Wallace Racing

Officials of Rusty Wallace Racing, LLC (RWR) announced that former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Brendan Gaughan, will pilot the team's No. 62 Chevrolet in a full-season bid for 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.  Gaughan assumes the ride—formerly the No. 64—driven by David Stremme and Max Papis to a top-ten finish in the 2008 standings.
 
The car number change—from No. 64 to No. 62—further establishes Rusty Wallace Racing's family-owned heritage.  The No. 62 was chosen in honor of Gaughan's family racing background, which includes eight Truck Series wins while driving vehicles fielded by his family-owned No. 62 Orleans Racing team.
 
Stated Gaughan, "It's going to be very exciting for me to drive the No. 62 again.  That number has a lot of meaning to my family that not many people know about.  My big brother John's football number was 62 and my two big brothers have always been my heroes in life. "

Further, the team announced that Las Vegas-based South Point Hotel and Spa will serve as primary sponsor of Gaughan's No. 62 team for a number for races in 2009.  RWR plans to announce the complete sponsor lineup for the No. 62 in the coming weeks.

In addition to its driver and sponsor announcements, RWR also announced several other key personnel moves:
 
• Brian Berry, Gaughan's long-time truck series crew chief, will accompany Gaughan in his move and head the No. 62 team in 2009.

• Former No. 64 crew chief, Dale Ferguson, will move to the team's No. 66 entry and third-generation driver Steve Wallace, for 2009.  Ferguson led RWR's No. 64 team and driver David Stremme, to 16 top-ten finishes in 2008, en route to a top-ten finish in the final owners' standings.
 
• Former No. 66 car chief, Shane Huffman, has returned to the team after a brief hiatus and will serve as car chief for Gaughan and the No. 62 team in 2009.