Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan Truckin’ into a prime ride

Friday, July 27, 2001 | 9:49 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand's motor sports notebook appears Friday. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Brendan Gaughan has competed in only four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races this season but the 26-year-old Las Vegas native apparently has made a name for himself on the circuit.

In a big way.

Gaughan is one of the drivers being considered to replace Scott Riggs in one of the top rides in the NCTS -- the No. 2 Ultra Motorsports Dodge. Riggs is leaving the team at the end of this season to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2002.

In 13 races this season, Riggs has posted three wins and 11 top-10 finishes and sits atop the series points standings.

"A lot of things happen when you have a little success," Gaughan said of the reports that he could be in line for a full-time truck ride next season. "It feels great to be able to have opportunities arise and it's a credit to the guys at Orleans Racing."

Although Gaughan would not directly address the Ultra Motorsports rumor, he did acknowledge that he and team owner Jimmy Smith are "old friends" and have known each other since their off-road racing days in the 1990s.

Gaughan, who is running a full NASCAR Winston West Series schedule and is leading that series' points standings, is running only a limited truck schedule this season with Orleans Racing and TKO Motorsports. In four starts, Gaughan has a second- and a third-place finish.

Although he admitted it would be hard to turn down a fully funded ride with a top-caliber truck team, Gaughan said his preference would be to try to compete full-time in the Truck Series with his Las Vegas-based Orleans Racing team.

"We're working on trying to stay in Las Vegas and run the operation here," Gaughan said. "I believe it can be done out of Las Vegas with Orleans Racing and the guys here."

"I figured it would (die down) after we ran the race in Chicago and everybody had something else to talk about and maybe put their attention elsewhere. It wasn't fun -- it wasn't a bed of roses, I'll tell you that.

"I was disappointed because some of the same (reporters) who are your "buddies" when they need a story or want to talk to you about something, are the same ones who were making a joke out of it. That was kind of upsetting but I found out who my friends are, I guess." ...

Austin Petty, the 19-year-old son of Kyle Petty, became the fourth member of NASCAR's "first family" to win a race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The younger Petty took the checkered flag in a 15-lap Bandolero Outlaws feature on the track's quarter-mile oval Tuesday night, joining grandfather Richard, his father, and late brother Adam as winners at the speedway.

"This is such a competitive series," Tagliani said. "We've had eight different winners in the first 10 races of the season. I'd like to add my name to that list and keep Team Player's streak of success going.

"I've been saying all season that once we get a few breaks going our way, watch out; we're going to be a big force the rest of the way. Team Player's has been on the podium for two straight races, and we're not about to stop there."

Hamilton suffered severe injuries to his legs and feet in a crash during the Casino Magic 500 on June 9 at Texas Motor Speedway and has undergone numerous surgeries at Methodist Hospital.

"Well, they tell me Richard Petty won 200 races in NASCAR," Force said. "I'm going to be around here for awhile, but I don't think I'm going to be around long enough to do that."

Force, who is well on his way to a record 11th NHRA title, will be out for win No. 98 this weekend in Seattle.

Drag-racing veterans John Irving and Bill Dudley took top honors in Wednesday's "Street Muscle Madness on The Strip" Wednesday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Irving, of Boulder City, took Street Muscle honors by defeating Mark Acton of Las Vegas and Dudley captured the Import Eliminator trophy by downing Boojie Natividad of Las Vegas.

Drag racing continues this weekend at The Strip with an open Test 'n' Tune session tonight and the National Performance Center E.T. Bracket Racing Series on Saturday.