Queers4Gears spoke with the driver of the Southpoint Casino #62 – Brendan Gaughan after qualifying for the Smith’s 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Brendan had gained speed from the first to the final practice session (172.254mph up to 173.661) but qualified P21.  Q4G talked to Brendan about his qualifying effort, what this race means to Las Vegas and the reports that he’s heading to Richard Childress Racing in 2012.

Q4G:  First let me ask you about the truck – you found some more speed in the second practice – tell me about your qualifying run.

BG:  We knew we weren’t going to be stellar in qualifying.  Our Tundras that we’re tying to build right now are race Tundras.  They’re not very good at qualifying.  Right now, the way the rules are set up, you can go for qualifying or race (trim) if you’re in a Toyota… and we’re going for Race (trim).  This is home.. so it’s a little like – uggghhh!  But it’s a good race truck.  We believe we’ll be good in race trim when the green flag drops tomorrow.  I am one of the few drivers in this series who has experience on this track in the daylight. I feel pretty good about our chances in the race…now it’ll probably get us 17th or 18th (place) Which is where we think we’ll end up – hope it’s not any further back than that.

Q4G:  Is this (LVMS) an easy track to gain position?

BG:  Yeah, here, Texas, the Charlotte’s… the mile and a half tracks that lead to multi-groove racing. When you have the multiple groove it’s a lot easier to move around and to pass people vs. a track like Martinsville.

Q4G:  As a home town guy and a local business man – how important is this weekend to Las Vegas?

BG:  If you look at the numbers when the races come to town – be it NHRA, Sprint Cup, Camping World Trucks and now Indy Car – you can look at the numbers at the casinos, the number of covers that the restaurants do and the hotel room bookings are up.  There is so much to do here.  That’s what makes Vegas such a great race destination – no offense to Talladega or Martinsville… or any of those East Coast Tracks… if you have limited disposable income and want to take a vacation to see a race…. would you rather go somewhere they are going to charge over 200 bucks for a small hotel room – or would you rather come to Vegas and get a room on The Strip for 70 bucks a night… they are giving them away.  Plus, you have all the shows and everything else Vegas has to offer.  That makes this the premier racing destination.  Now that Indy car has their Championship (last race) here I think NASCAR needs to think about moving their Championship race here -that would be fantastic.

Q4G:  Are you still using the Ab Circle Pro to keep those pounds off?

BG:  Well if you’ve noticed (points to his firesuit) I’m not quite as lean as I was.  The AB Circle Pro is pretty easy but I got too lazy.  With stuff that’s going next year I’m gonna have to loose a lotta weight, so I will get back on that Ab Circle Pro and I will be back down a few pounds – to make sure I get myself back in playing shape.

Q4G:  You mentioned next year…. this morning Dave Moody reported on Sirius-Speedway that you are in negotiations to run a part time schedule in the Nationwide and Truck series for Richard Childress Racing…. (with a laugh Brendan cut in)

BG:  It’s a little early to talk about it, I’ve been talking to a lot of places about a lot of things.  Max (Papis) and I were just talking to each other (about the fact) that we’ve all been talking to the same people…. everybody in this sport is talking to everybody right now if your looking for a ride.  The good thing is that I have the Southpoint Casino that does help sponsor a little bit – so I have the ability to take on some of that sponsorship cost.  But wherever I go next year, if I’m not winning races it will be my last year.  I know I said that this year and it didn’t pan out quite like we wanted, so we’ve decided to do one more (year.)  But wherever I go it’s going to be that caliber of a place (RCR).  I like what he (Dave Moody) said and I hope it comes true…..

Q4G:  So you would rather run a partial schedule in a…. (Brendan cut it)

BG:  I want to run in …. I mean, when Kyle Busch gets out of the 18 car (NNS) or truck – gimme a chance in the 18 car or truck.  He dominates in it, so if I could finish in the top 5 with it at least I know I’m right there – but if he’s that good I would need, at least, to win one.  I believe he (Dave Moody) said RCR (was the potential destination in his story).. if Kevin (Harvick) can get of that race car and finish 3rd, I need to be able to finish in the Top-5. I mean, if they’re doing it every week, if the equipment is that good….. then I believe in myself and I believe I can still do it.  So I want that definitive moment that says it’s you or it’s not you – and let’s go make a career or go home and sell cars.