Penske adds third car
Penske Racing will expand its NASCAR Nextel Cup effort this season by running a third car for rookie Brendan Gaughan
The #77 car, which will run with sponsorship from Kodak, will officially be run by a partnership between Penske and Jasper Motorsports, who last year ran Dave Blaney. The deal has been rumoured for weeks, but was only confirmed as pre-season testing began at Daytona International Speedway.
Details of Penske's acquisition of the Jasper team are not entirely clear. The two team's engine operations were combined early last year, and Penske's influence on the smaller team became more apparent through the season.
Gaughan raced in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series this season, leading the series in race wins on his way to finishing fourth in the championship.
"I am thrilled to get this opportunity and thankful to so many people," said the Las Vegas native. "I appreciate the confidence that Kodak and the Penske organisation have shown in my abilities. I can't wait for the 2004 season to begin."
Gaughan will join Ryan Newman, who won a series-high eight races in 2003, and 1989 champion Rusty Wallace at Penske.
Kodak had been widely courted by Nextel Cup teams since the company ended its long-standing sponsorship of Morgan-McClure at the end of last season. The McClure team is one of several still looking for backing as the new season looms.
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