a few rumors have been floating:
Gaughan supposedly talked to the #0 Haas-CNC team, but hearing Mike Bliss will end up in the car.
Gaughan could go back to the Truck Series as a teammate to Steve Park for the team owned by hi father, Park is signed thru 2005 in the #62 truck.
And one that is a tad ‘out there’ is Gaughan teaming up with Robby Gordon and Jim Smith [kiss my what?], but not sure if it would a full time deal, Truck team, run in Gordon’s Busch car or a 2nd Cup team.(12-9-2004)
UPDATE: hearing that Gaughan will drive the #77 Jasper Penske Dodge Truck with Jasper Engines as the sponsor in the Truck Series?(12-10-2004)
UPDATE 2: Brendan Gaughan tells Sirius Speedway (Sirius Satellite Radio) that he will run a heavy schedule of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events next season, after being released by Penske-Jasper Racing earlier in the week. Steve Park will run the full season in the #62 Orleans Dodge, and I will be in a second truck the #61 in a bunch of truck races, maybe even the full schedule. Rusty Wallace has also asked me to run his Busch car in a handful of races that Jeremy (Mayfield) and Jamie (McMurray) dont run. Thats not official yet, but the offer is there. Gaughan said he is relieved to have his future decided, adding, The decision was more theirs than mine. Its their team, and if they didnt want me there, I didnt want to be there. Im happy to be where I am now. I beat Brian Vickers in the Rookie of the Year chase this season, but you never heard anything about him being replaced. There were no rumblings coming out of Hendrick Motorsports. You need to know you have the support of your team. Gaughan said he expects to make major sponsor announcements for both himself and Park within the next 2-3 weeks.(12-11-2004)
UPDATE 3: Steve Park will return to the No. 62 Orleans Dodge full time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005, Orleans Racing officials confirmed Dec. 13. The team also announced that Brendan Gaughan will drive a second Dodge fielded by Orleans Racing in at least the 16 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events that are companion races to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events. More details will be released at a later date.(Orleans Racing site/PR)(12-13-2004)
UPDATE 4: Gaughan will run the #77 and am hearing Jasper Engines could be a sponsor in some form.(1-15-2005)
UPDATE 5 Jasper and schedule: Cementing a relationship formed in 2004, Jasper Engines and Transmissions and Orleans Racing announced a sponsor partnership for the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign. The new partnership puts Jasper Engines and Transmissions on the #77 Orleans Racing Dodge, which will be piloted by Brendan Gaughan. The partnership is not limited to vehicle sponsorship as a technology alliance between the Indiana based engine and transmission remanufacturer and the Las Vegas based race team has been formed. Sponsorship for the #77 Jasper Engines and Transmissions Dodge will encompass 18 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events while the technology exchange will touch all of Orleans Racing’s on-track programs for 2005. And Gaughan looks forward to continue representing the Jasper Engines and Transmissions installer network. “I enjoyed working with all the people at Jasper Engines and Transmissions in 2004”, says Gaughan, “and to be able to build on that relationship is certainly exciting.” The #77 Jasper Engine and Transmissions, Orleans Dodge will make its debut in the Dodge Dealers 250, which takes place February 18th at Daytona International Superspeedway. 2005 Event Schedule For the #77 Jasper Engines Dodge:
Daytona, 2/18; California, 2/25; Atlanta, 3/18; Martinsville, 4/9; Gateway, 4/30; Mansfield, 5/15; Lowe’s Motor Speedway, 5/20; Dover, 6/3; Michigan 6/18; IRP, 8/5; Bristol, 8/24; Richmond, 9/8; New Hampshire, 9/17; Martinsville, 10/22; Atlanta, 10/29 Texas, 11/4; Phoenix, 11/11;Homestead, 11/18.(Orleans Racing PR)(2-10-2005)
