South Point Racing
Encyclopedia
Orleans Racing was a NASCAR
team that competed in the Craftsman Truck Series
and the NASCAR West Series. It was owned by businessman Michael Gaughan for most of its existence, although others have had a partial interest in the team. The team fielded the #62 and #77 Dodge
s for Michael's son, Brendan, fellow West Series driver Scott Lynch, and former NEXTEL Cup driver Steve Park
. The team was notable for being the only NASCAR team based in the state of Nevada
, on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway
.
) West Series in a partnership with famous West Series owner Bill McAnally and famous racer Walker Evans
. Running the famous #16 Chevrolet
sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts and with former off-road racer Brendan Gaughan
at the wheel, the combination scored nine victories and back-to-back West Series championships in 2000 and 2001. The team would later move Gaughan up to the Truck Series while running Scott Lynch in the West Series. McAnally would continue his West team with drivers such as Austin Cameron
and Brian Ickler
. Lynch continued to drive for the team, winning both Rookie of the Year and the West Series Championship in 2003.
, but finished second to Jack Sprague
in 2001. Gaughan and his Orleans Racing team would move up to the Trucks full-time in 2002
with NAPA and the number 62 to contend for Rookie of the Year honors. Despite the criticisms of many who said that a team based in the Western United States would not make it in NASCAR
, Gaughan proved all of his detractors wrong by winning both races at Texas en route to an 11th place finish in the points and the 2002 ROTY crown. In 2003 Orleans Racing would only improve, as Gaughan would win a series high six races, including his second consecutive sweep at Texas and a hometown victory at Vegas
, heading into the season finale at Homestead. In an ironic twist, lady luck would deal the Orleans team a bad hand, as Gaughan was taken out in a wreck on lap 101 with Marty Houston
and finished fourth in points behind Travis Kvapil
. The team's underdog status moved Brendan up into the NEXTEL Cup
Series, to drive for Roger Penske
in 2004. While Gaughan was in Cup, Orleans tapped former Cup driver Steve Park
to wheel their #62, sponsored by Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Park would take his first career Truck Series win at Fontana
, but struggled with consistency and was released at season's end. Scott Lynch would take over the #62 full time in 2005, but like Park, struggled and was released. With the reduction in manufacturer support from Dodge, Orleans was forced to downsize to only the #77 truck in 2006.
. However, the season proved difficult due to the increase in competition and Gaughan could only muster a 19th place finish in the points. In 2006
, the team changed its name from Orleans Racing to South Point Racing, due to Michael's acquisition of South Coast Casino in exchange for selling Coast Casinos
to Boyd Gaming
. A high for the newly named South Point Racing was a second place finish at Homestead and a 15th place finish in points. The team, switching manufacturers to Chevrolet
, climbed to 11th in points, with a near win at Texas.
to form Wyler-Gaughan Racing. The partnership, however, would involve the Gaughan's leaving their home state of Nevada for Mooresville, North Carolina
and switching manufacturers to Toyota, along with having a teammate in Richard Johns. However, for unknown reasons, the deal fell through and the once great South Point Racing was disbanded, with only Brendan and 10-12 of his crew remaining, eventually moving to Circle Bar Racing
. The shop was inactive for three months but was most recently used by Cup teams as a shelter during the extremely rainy Auto Club 500
.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
team that competed in the Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
and the NASCAR West Series. It was owned by businessman Michael Gaughan for most of its existence, although others have had a partial interest in the team. The team fielded the #62 and #77 Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
s for Michael's son, Brendan, fellow West Series driver Scott Lynch, and former NEXTEL Cup driver Steve Park
Steve Park (NASCAR)
Stephen Park is a professional race car driver. Park is currently racing in the #35 Waste Management Recycle America Monte Carlo in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East....
. The team was notable for being the only NASCAR team based in the state of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
.
Winston West
SPR debuted in the Winston (now Camping WorldCamping World
Camping World is an American corporation specializing in selling parts and service for recreational vehicles and supplies for camping. The company is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is privately held. Camping World has 70+ retail/service locations throughout the United States, and also sells...
) West Series in a partnership with famous West Series owner Bill McAnally and famous racer Walker Evans
Walker Evans
Walker Evans was an American photographer best known for his work for the Farm Security Administration documenting the effects of the Great Depression. Much of Evans's work from the FSA period uses the large-format, 8x10-inch camera...
. Running the famous #16 Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts and with former off-road racer Brendan Gaughan
Brendan Gaughan
Brendan Gaughan is an American stock car driver. Gaughan is the grandson of Vegas gaming pioneer Jackie Gaughan and son of Michael Gaughan, a hotel and casino magnate. Gaughan currently drives the #62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck...
at the wheel, the combination scored nine victories and back-to-back West Series championships in 2000 and 2001. The team would later move Gaughan up to the Truck Series while running Scott Lynch in the West Series. McAnally would continue his West team with drivers such as Austin Cameron
Austin Cameron
Austin Cameron is a NASCAR race car driver. He was born in El Cajon, California). He drives the #88 RaceCarCeilingFans.com Chevrolet in the NASCAR Grand National West Series, and the #61 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series for Bill McAnally.-Racing career:Austin Cameron began racing go-karts at the...
and Brian Ickler
Brian Ickler
Brian Ickler is an American race car driver. He drives the #18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He is also the owner of Ickler Motorsports, an ARCA Remax Series team.-Early life:Ickler started in off-road racing when he was 14 years old...
. Lynch continued to drive for the team, winning both Rookie of the Year and the West Series Championship in 2003.
Truck #62 History
During their championship run in the West Series, Orleans Racing made 5 starts in 2000, but only 3 in 2001. The latter year showed the NASCAR world what a single car team from Las Vegas could do, as Gaughan nearly pulled off an upset victory at the June race in TexasTexas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
, but finished second to Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is currently a free agent. Sprague has finished in the top-ten in the points standings almost every year he has raced in the trucks, and won three championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001 while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.-...
in 2001. Gaughan and his Orleans Racing team would move up to the Trucks full-time in 2002
2002 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season began February 15 and endedNovember 15. Mike Bliss of Xpress Motorsports was crowned the champion at season's end.See also: 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2002 NASCAR Busch Series- 2002 Team Chart :...
with NAPA and the number 62 to contend for Rookie of the Year honors. Despite the criticisms of many who said that a team based in the Western United States would not make it in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, Gaughan proved all of his detractors wrong by winning both races at Texas en route to an 11th place finish in the points and the 2002 ROTY crown. In 2003 Orleans Racing would only improve, as Gaughan would win a series high six races, including his second consecutive sweep at Texas and a hometown victory at Vegas
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
, heading into the season finale at Homestead. In an ironic twist, lady luck would deal the Orleans team a bad hand, as Gaughan was taken out in a wreck on lap 101 with Marty Houston
Marty Houston
Marty Houston, is a former driver in NASCAR. His younger brother, Andy and father Tommy Houston have driven in NASCAR as well.-Craftsman Truck Series Career:...
and finished fourth in points behind Travis Kvapil
Travis Kvapil
Travis Kvapil is an American race car driver. He currently drives for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...
. The team's underdog status moved Brendan up into the NEXTEL Cup
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
Series, to drive for Roger Penske
Roger Penske
Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated...
in 2004. While Gaughan was in Cup, Orleans tapped former Cup driver Steve Park
Steve Park (NASCAR)
Stephen Park is a professional race car driver. Park is currently racing in the #35 Waste Management Recycle America Monte Carlo in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East....
to wheel their #62, sponsored by Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Park would take his first career Truck Series win at Fontana
California Speedway
Auto Club Speedway is a two-mile , low-banked, D-shaped oval superspeedway in Fontana, California which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since 1997. The track was also used for open wheel racing events until 2005. The racetrack is located near the former locations of Ontario Motor Speedway and...
, but struggled with consistency and was released at season's end. Scott Lynch would take over the #62 full time in 2005, but like Park, struggled and was released. With the reduction in manufacturer support from Dodge, Orleans was forced to downsize to only the #77 truck in 2006.
Truck #77 History
The #77 truck debuted as the #61 truck driven by West Series driver Scott Lynch, who scored 12th place finishes at Homestead and Phoenix. After his release from Penske, Brendan returned to Orleans Racing in 20052005 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season began February 18 and ended November 18. Ted Musgrave of Ultra Motorsports was crowned the season's champion.A rule change affected the qualification process in 2005...
. However, the season proved difficult due to the increase in competition and Gaughan could only muster a 19th place finish in the points. In 2006
2006 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season began on February 17, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway with the GM Flex Fuel 250, and ended on November 17, 2006 with the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Todd Bodine of Germain Racing was declared champion...
, the team changed its name from Orleans Racing to South Point Racing, due to Michael's acquisition of South Coast Casino in exchange for selling Coast Casinos
Coast Casinos
Coast Casinos Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boyd Gaming Corporation. Coast Casinos is the number 2 locals casino brand in the Las Vegas market behind Station Casinos.-History:Principally owned and founded by Michael Gaughan....
to Boyd Gaming
Boyd Gaming
Boyd Gaming Corporation is a Paradise, Nevada based business engaged in the development, ownership and operation of hotels and casinos throughout the United States...
. A high for the newly named South Point Racing was a second place finish at Homestead and a 15th place finish in points. The team, switching manufacturers to Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, climbed to 11th in points, with a near win at Texas.
Demise
For 2008, SPR was to merge with Toyota team Wyler RacingWyler Racing
Turn One Racing is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. They currently field the #60 Red Bull/Fuel Doctor USA Chevrolet Silverado for Red Bull development driver Cole Whitt and the #66 GoPro Chevrolet Silverado for Justin Marks...
to form Wyler-Gaughan Racing. The partnership, however, would involve the Gaughan's leaving their home state of Nevada for Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville, North Carolina
Mooresville is a large suburban town in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, USA. It is in the Metrolina metro area. The population was 32,133 at the 2010 United States Census...
and switching manufacturers to Toyota, along with having a teammate in Richard Johns. However, for unknown reasons, the deal fell through and the once great South Point Racing was disbanded, with only Brendan and 10-12 of his crew remaining, eventually moving to Circle Bar Racing
Circle Bar Racing
Circle Bar Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The team is owned by Tom Mitchell, and they hold the distinction of having one of the longest lasting teams in the Truck Series. They field the #14 Ford F-150...
. The shop was inactive for three months but was most recently used by Cup teams as a shelter during the extremely rainy Auto Club 500
2008 Auto Club 500
The 2008 Auto Club 500 was the second race of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and started on February 24, 2008 at Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in Fontana, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. The race was telecast on Fox starting at 3:30 PM US EST/12:30 PM PST, with MRN and Sirius...
.