Gaughan gears up for Daytona

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Like most people who were raised in a racing family, Brendan Gaughan grew up watching the Daytona 500 on television and dreaming of one day driving at the "World Center of Racing."

The 26-year-old Las Vegas native will get that opportunity in Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, but Gaughan is far from being intimidated by the legendary 2.5-mile oval.

"Part of it has to be the thrill of being here for the first time -- you're not human if you don't have those feelings," Gaughan said Monday between practice sessions for Friday's race.

"At the same time, you've got to try to keep your emotions on an even keel. I'm fortunate in that I'm not awestruck by a lot of this because I grew up racing for Walker Evans, my hero. I got to race against Parnelli Jones, who was another one of my heroes."

Those experiences, as well as playing basketball at Georgetown University and competing in the Baja 1000 -- the Daytona of off-road racing -- has prepared Gaughan for the next big step in his career.

After competing in various off-road series since he was 15 and winning the NASCAR Winston West Series championship the past two seasons, Gaughan is taking his Las Vegas-based Orleans Racing into the Truck Series on a full-time basis this year.

Gaughan's performance Monday -- his first day of on-track activities since arriving in Daytona last Wednesday -- was a clear indication that he and his team are ready to make the jump to the big leagues.

After a disappointing test at Daytona last month, where he was 32nd fastest out of 41 drivers, Gaughan's NAPA Dodge consistently picked up speed during Monday's three practice sessions and was 18th fastest (among 47 trucks) going into today's qualifying session.

"We want to qualify in the top 12," Gaughan said. "We didn't have any expectations to come here and get the pole, we just hope to have a great racetruck and race well."

While Gaughan's crew is fine-tuning his truck's body in preparation for Friday's race, Gaughan is working on his own body to get ready for the 23-race season. He has been working with a personal trainer and has lost 25 pounds from his 5-foot-9 frame in three weeks.

"I don't believe in the whole 'super-skinny-for-horsepower' thing -- I think that's dangerous," Gaughan said. "At the same time, there's a danger of being too heavy and I was on the too-heavy side -- I was way on the too-heavy side."

Although Friday's Florida Dodge Dealers 250 is the marquee event of the NCTS season, Gaughan said he has learned that one race usually does not make or break a season.

"Yes, it is Daytona and it is a big race," Gaughan said. "If it goes well and you win this sucker ... it's great, but in the grand scheme of things it is only one race.

"You get ready for that race Friday and hope you do well but if you don't, you're not out of points championship."