Gilliland to attempt maiden Cup start

Gilliland was a virtual unknown prior to his Busch victory at Kentucky last Saturday.

The rookie, who has put together a low-budget 20-race programme, had never finished above 29th in his six previous Busch starts. His Kentucky result has been hailed as one of the greatest upsets in NASCAR history.

Gilliland will drive for CMJ Racing, who have yet to qualify for a Cup race in 2006, this weekend, but he revealed that he has already been approached by some of NASCAR's bigger names.

"We've got a lot of attention from this win, and it's been a pretty big deal, bigger than I ever imagined," said Gilliland in a pre-race teleconference.

"I've gotten some pretty good phone calls, pretty neat. You know, you race your whole life for an opportunity and to try and succeed in NASCAR racing. To see it all coming true before your eyes is a pretty amazing sight."

Chevrolet have also offered to provide more assistance with Gilliland's Busch programme.

"Chevrolet called us today and told us the race we won this weekend was their 300th Busch Series win," Gilliland said. "So big as it was for me to get my first win, it was big for Chevrolet to get their 300th win. 

"They stepped up and they can help our team a little bit more and possibly give us some opportunity to go to the wind tunnel. Prior to now, we have not been able to do that."