Bill McAnally Racing, Orleans MS Join Forces

December 3, 1999 (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Bill McAnally Racing and Orleans Motorsports have merged to create what they hope will become the most prestigious motorsports organization in the western states.

The newly formed organization will operate under the name "Orleans Motorsports" from a 14,000 square foot state of the art facility in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Research and Development Center.

Under the agreement, Bill McAnally and Michael Gaughan, the owners of the two former teams, are now partners. McAnally has taken the title of General Manager and is responsible for management of the team, and all race related activities and sponsorship relations. Gaughan also owns The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.

McAnally's long-time sponsorship relationship with NAPA and its associated manufacturers will continue under the new arrangement, with NAPA taking the lead as primary sponsor. The #16 NASCAR Winston West cars and Craftsman Trucks will feature the familiar NAPA design. The Orleans Hotel's logo will be carried on the deck lid of the Winston West cars and on the bed cover of the Craftsman Trucks. The new design will be debuted after January 1st at a number of show car appearances.

Brendan Gaughan, who showed great promise throughout his rookie season in the Winston West Series, has been named as driver for the 2000 season, replacing former McAnally Racing driver Sean Woodside. The team's plans for the 2000 season include the full NASCAR Winston West Series schedule and eight events selected from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule, concentrating on events at venues located in the Western states.

"This merger allows both me and NAPA to move our program to the next level," said McAnally. "Michael has worked with me to put together a dream shop that has anything and everything a race team could possibly want. I'm very pleased that we've been able to combine our resources to create a first-class operation. With strong support from NAPA, their store owners and manufacturers, The Orleans Hotel, and with Brendan behind the wheel, the team feels confident that it will have a strong start in the 2000 season."

McAnally continued, "I want to wish Sean Woodside the best of luck in his future efforts. He's a great driver, and I'm very happy that, together, we were able to win the championship." McAnally Racing and Woodside recently returned from Japan where they clinched the 1999 NASCAR Winston West championship.

Work for the 2000 season is already underway. The new facility is being given the final touches, and McAnally is in the process of moving his Winston West operation into the new shop. The Trucks and equipment from the former Chesrown Racing operation were purchased several months ago, and have already been moved to Las Vegas.

Driver Brendan Gaughan is looking forward to the 2000 season with a new team. "Bill ran a great program last year. He has proven that he is capable of a championship effort, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with him."

Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) owns and operates the No. 16 NAPA Auto Parts/Martin Senour Automotive Finishes/NAPA Filters/California Integrated Waste Management Recycled Oil Program Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Winston West Series team. In addition to winning the 1999 NASCAR Winston West championship, the team led the series in the Gatorade Front Runner Award and the Clevite Engine Builder Award races, laps led, laps completed and best average finish. Results from the 1999 Winston West season included two wins, five top fives and ten top ten finishes and two Bud Pole Awards.