Gaughan race team disbands after merger fails

A deal that would have merged Las Vegas-based South Point Racing with another team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is off, and Southern Nevada's only major racing team is closing its doors.

The South Point truck team is owned by Michael Gaughan, whose son, Brendan Gaughan, was its driver.

It was announced a month ago that Gaughan's team would merge with Wyler Racing to form Wyler-Gaughan Racing. Gaughan was to close its operation in the industrial park adjacent to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and consolidate operations at Wyler's shop near Charlotte, N.C. Gaughan was to drive one of two trucks and possibly a Toyota part time in the Sprint Cup series.

"We put our trust in somebody, and trust got abused," Brendan Gaughan said.

Tom Buzze was general manager for the Gaughan team and put the deal together with Wyler, where he now works in a similar role.

"We made a deal, and it fell through. Right now, we're not capable of keeping South Point Racing open," Gaughan said. "My big concern is taking care of my guys."

Gaughan said about a dozen South Point Racing employees committed to move with him to the new team. He said he is working on a deal to drive for an existing truck team next year, but it must include positions for his teammates.

"Those guys have waited with me and for me. I could probably take a ride and leave everybody behind, but I don't want to do that," Gaughan said.

The Wyler team this year fielded a truck for former series champion Jack Sprague, who left at the end of the season to join Kevin Harvick's team in the truck series.

Gaughan ended this year 11th in truck series points, with three top-five finishes. His team has won nine races since 2002, when it began competing full time.