NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brendan Gaughan will drive the #66 South Point Casino/TRG Porsche GT3 at this weekend's Grand-Am Rolex Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.
Gaughan will make his first Grand-Am Series start with co-driver and Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Andy Lally.
Gaughan will also be competing in his regular ride, the #62 USfidelis Chevrolet, in the Nationwide race.
"Growing up in the off-road world if you had aspirations on going to the next level in racing you looked to sports cars or Indy cars," Gaughan said. "As my career progressed and I was fortunate enough to get into the NASCAR side of things my passion for road racing has never diminished.
"I have been very familiar with Andy's accomplishments and am both proud and honoured to have the opportunity to be his co-driver. I can only hope to have lap times remotely close to his!
"Initially, I was just hoping to run the Grand-Am race to get some laps in to be better prepared for the Nationwide race in my #62 USfidelis Chevy. But after learning that I was going to be running with Andy and the car that's fifth in the points, now I'm hoping to gain valuable track experience and try to help the team gain more points."
TRG regular Lally is looking forward to sharing his ride with Gaughan, whom he has met before in the infancy of their racing careers.
"A lot of people don't know this but Brendan and I actually went through our driving school together 16 years ago," Lally said. "I've been rooting for him for years through his NASCAR career and we got to race against each other a bit while I was doing a partial truck schedule. I think he will do very well at Montreal and can't wait to team up with him for this race.
“I was with TRG in 2007 when we won the inaugural race at Montreal and look forward to trying to get to the top step of the podium again. We have been struggling a lot as many of the prep two teams have come to better grips with their cars. It will be interesting to see how we stack up at Montreal. I think it will be a hard fought race but I can't even guess who will have the advantage."
Meanwhile Kevin Buckler, TRG team owner, is happy to have Gaughan in his car at Montreal: "It will be really cool to see Brendan in a Porsche," Buckler added. "He is a very talented driver both on asphalt and in the dirt.
“The Porsche will be another new animal for him, but with his talent and go-for-it spirit I am sure he will be up to speed in no time at all.
“Andy is looking forward to running with his old driving school mate and having a strong run in Montreal this weekend. Having some of these NASCAR stars over here running with us is definitely good for both series'."
