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The Story At NASCAR.com
By Marty Smith
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Craftsman Truck Series points leader Brendan Gaughan said Friday that Dodge Motorsports has signed a multi-year contract with his team, and that the manufacturer has aspirations of entering Gaughan in at least two Nextel Cup Series races and two NASCAR Busch Series races in 2004.
"That's (Dodge's) hope, but who knows with what team or what race?" Gaughan said. "It might be out of my own shop, and I'd love that because I'd have control over it. I'd lack engineering and technology, but we have Busch cars and Winston Cup cars at my shop, so we could do it."
Gaughan has been a staple of the Winston Cup rumor mill of late, mainly in regards to the No. 19 Dodge currently driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Despite three top-fives in his past six starts, Mayfield is rumored to be on his way out at Evernham Motorsports.
Gaughan appreciates the attention, but not at another driver's expense.
"We see each other in the garage and wave, that's it," said Gaughan of his relationship with No. 19 team owner Ray Evernham. "It's nice to be mentioned, but not when (it means) Jeremy's getting fired. Hell, he's driving the hell out of that thing lately."
Gaughan isn't faring so badly himself. The third-year CTS star is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2003, with six victories and a shot at a championship. Somehow, the sponsorship well remains dry.
"How can I not have a sponsor? Seriously, man?" asked Gaughan. "A year like this and no bites? It's frustrating -- I can't tell you how bad. We have a manufacturer.
"The Orleans Racing team has the deal, which makes me happy. If and when I ever leave this team, the team has to survive without me. They've gone too hard, worked too hard, gone too far just to close up.
"If I could get a sponsor, then I would look (at Winston Cup). Right now I'm not even looking because my team isn't ready for me to leave. I'm staying in the Craftsman Truck Series. It would take the moon wrapped around a paper bag delivered on my doorstep (to go to Winston Cup)."
By Marty Smith
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Craftsman Truck Series points leader Brendan Gaughan said Friday that Dodge Motorsports has signed a multi-year contract with his team, and that the manufacturer has aspirations of entering Gaughan in at least two Nextel Cup Series races and two NASCAR Busch Series races in 2004.
"That's (Dodge's) hope, but who knows with what team or what race?" Gaughan said. "It might be out of my own shop, and I'd love that because I'd have control over it. I'd lack engineering and technology, but we have Busch cars and Winston Cup cars at my shop, so we could do it."
Gaughan has been a staple of the Winston Cup rumor mill of late, mainly in regards to the No. 19 Dodge currently driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Despite three top-fives in his past six starts, Mayfield is rumored to be on his way out at Evernham Motorsports.
Gaughan appreciates the attention, but not at another driver's expense.
"We see each other in the garage and wave, that's it," said Gaughan of his relationship with No. 19 team owner Ray Evernham. "It's nice to be mentioned, but not when (it means) Jeremy's getting fired. Hell, he's driving the hell out of that thing lately."
Gaughan isn't faring so badly himself. The third-year CTS star is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2003, with six victories and a shot at a championship. Somehow, the sponsorship well remains dry.
"How can I not have a sponsor? Seriously, man?" asked Gaughan. "A year like this and no bites? It's frustrating -- I can't tell you how bad. We have a manufacturer.
"The Orleans Racing team has the deal, which makes me happy. If and when I ever leave this team, the team has to survive without me. They've gone too hard, worked too hard, gone too far just to close up.
"If I could get a sponsor, then I would look (at Winston Cup). Right now I'm not even looking because my team isn't ready for me to leave. I'm staying in the Craftsman Truck Series. It would take the moon wrapped around a paper bag delivered on my doorstep (to go to Winston Cup)."