Brendan Gaughan Gambles with Fuel Strategy to Collect a Sixth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway
Brendan Gaughan drove the No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro to a sixth-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Gaughan started in the 27th position and elected to bring his No. 62 Chevrolet to pit road for right side tires and fuel during the first caution on lap nine. The Las Vegas-native restarted 34th and began to gain spots on the field throughout the next 20 laps. During Gaughan’s second pit stop, the team made chassis adjustments to improve handling of the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Crew chief Shane Wilson gambled during the Lap 70 caution by making the call to take fuel only, and no tires. The call restarted Gaughan in the 11th position putting him in an ideal place to draft his way to a sixth-place finish on the 2.5 mile superspeedway. The finish places the No.62 South Point Hotel & Casino driver and team fourth in the championship points standings.
BRENDAN GAUGHAN QUOTE:
“It’s great to be leaving Daytona without a bunch of wrecked cars and without being in the big one. I really like the new rule package NASCAR has put in place this season and I believe from the fan reaction, they like it too. I had so much fun out there today. This is an awesome start for the South Point Chevrolet. I’m so glad to be starting off the season with this sixth-place finish. This is the best finish I’ve had here and it means a lot to me and my team.”