Gaughan’s name has come up in connection with rumors in the Winston Cup garage in recent weeks, but he reiterated Friday that he plans to return to the Truck Series next year with his Las Vegas-based team that is sponsored by the hotel-casino, The Orleans, owned by his father, Michael. “These guys have given their lives to this team and it would not be fair for me to say, ‘Thanks guys, see you later,'” Gaughan said. Gaughan said that before he moved up to Cup he’d have to be sure it was the right opportunity for him and also would have a sponsor lined up to keep the Truck Series team going for the guys who’ve been working with him. “I am 28 years old, I am not 18,” Gaughan said. “I am only going to get one shot at it. I have to make sure I take it with the best. …I can walk through the Cup garage and nobody looks at me. My phone hasn’t been ringing as much as everybody thinks, but I am glad people are talking. If I had a sponsor and the right team I would be ready to go. But to get me to leave right now, it would take the moon wrapped up in a brown paper bag and delivered to my doorstep.”(ThatsRacin.com)(10-17-2003)
AND 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.(NASCAR.com)(10-18-2003)
