Brendan Gaughan is putting a cap on his 23-year NASCAR driving career by running a four-race NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2020. It began with the 62nd Daytona 500 Feb. 16 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway where the veteran racer finished a strong seventh.
Gaughan drives for Beard Motorsports, piloting the No. 62 Beard Oil Distributing/South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro. Gaughan’s City Lights Shine, a whiskey moonshine produced by his 17A Stillery – the first legal distillery in the history of Las Vegas – serves as an associate sponsor.
In addition to Daytona, Gaughan races June 21 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Aug. 29 at Daytona and Oct. 4 at Talladega for what will be his final NASCAR Cup Series start.
“I love racing, and competing with Beard Motorsports these last few years have made for some of my most enjoyable moments in NASCAR,” said Gaughan, who currently has more than 60 NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to his rookie season in 2004. “We do a lot with a little, so when we run up front and lead laps, it’s very satisfying because you know all the work that went into it.
“I wouldn’t want my last races as a NASCAR driver to be with any other team. Mark Beard Sr., and his entire family are passionate about racing, and NASCAR in particular. We’re all competitive and want to perform, but we’re going to have fun doing it. That’s how we all got started in the sport – because it was fun. And as I wrap up my career, I’m going to make sure it stays fun.”