McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced today that the team has added free agent and NASCAR veteran Brendan Gaughan to the organization’s driver lineup for the inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) race in San Diego, Calif. on the Coronado Naval Base. Gaughan, a former NASCAR Winston West Series champion for team owner Bill McAnally, returns to NASCAR competition for the first time since 2020 and will pilot the No. 20 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Silverado RST.
Gaughan and McAnally have deep ties tracing back over 25 years, as the driver and owner pair combined to capture consecutive NASCAR Winston West Series championships in 2000 and 2001. McAnally was also involved in establishing Orleans Racing in 2000, the organization that Gaughan took to victory lane for his first NCTS victory in 2002.
The Las Vegas native’s desire to compete in the inaugural race on the Coronado Naval Base was driven by his military ties. Gaughan is an Honorary Squadron Commander for the U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team and will feature their logo on the bed top of his No. 20 Chevrolet in San Diego. A close friend and former Georgetown football teammate of Gaughan’s, Captain (Ret.) Ryan Shann, spent the majority of his 28-year career in the Navy stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and was the Commanding Officer of Seal Team 1 in 2015-2016.
“This is so cool to come back and race in a truck again for Bill,” Gaughan said. “We’ve got a ton of history together, tons of great memories, and this is going to be something we’ll talk about for a long time. Ever since I heard the race at Coronado was going to happen, I knew I wanted to run something, and I’m just glad Bill and I were able to make this happen. This is a great chance for the NASCAR community to celebrate and recognize our military with a unique event, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Gaughan will take the green flag for his 218th NCTS start and his 504th NASCAR national series start on Friday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
— McAnally-Hilgemann Racing —