CONFIRMED: Gaughan to RWR in 2009

Rusty Wallace Racing has just announced what Sirius Speedway first told you two weeks ago, that former NASCAR Truck Series Rookie of the Year Brendan Gaughan will drive the team’s No. 62 Chevrolet in a full-season bid for 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.

Gaughan takes over the car driven by David Stremme and Max Papis to a top-10 finish in the 2008 championship standings.

The car will change numbers — from #64 to #62 -- in honor of Gaughan’s racing background, which includes eight Truck Series wins while driving vehicles fielded by his family-owned No. 62 Orleans Racing team. Gaughan said, “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.”

Wallace said, “I’ve known Brendan and his family for quite some time now, and they’re all absolutely first-class people. Brendan has shown that he has the talent to get the job done; I could see that back in 2004 when we were teammates at Penske. He’s a more mature and focused driver now than he’s ever been, and we’re really looking forward to having him as a part of our team in 2009.”

The Gaughan family’s South Point Hotel and Spa will serve as primary sponsor of the No. 62 Chevrolet for a number for races in 2009. RWR will announce its complete sponsor lineup in the coming weeks. Gaughan’s long-time truck series crewchief, Brian Berry, will accompany to the RWR team in that capacity. Former crewchief Dale Ferguson will move to the team’s No. 66 car, driven by Steve Wallace. Former 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.