Blaney could be odd man out - Brendan Gaughan may be leading candidate: Penske Racing and Jasper Motorsports are considering an arrangement where they would split ownership of Jasper's No.
77 Fords and bring the team under the Penske umbrella next season.

NASCAR Truck series standout Brendan Gaughan is the preferred candidate for the ride if the new deal is completed, sources said. Dave Blaney, who currently drives the No. 77, would not return to the team next season. - The Miami Herald



Brendan Gaughan still in picture as No. 3 Penkse driver: NASCAR team owner Roger Penske finally addressed the rumors surrounding his fielding a third car for Las Vegas' Brendan Gaughan next season in the Nextel Cup Series.
Penske said last Thursday in an interview on the Speed Channel's "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" that rumors of Penske Racing hiring Gaughan were premature -- but he admitted it "could be a possibility." Penske also confirmed that he and several other Nextel Cup team owners have been approached by Kodak about a sponsorship opportunity for the 2004 season.
Kodak sponsored the No. 4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports this season but apparently is looking to hook up with another team. "There has been interest by our team to possibly look at a third car," Penske said. "Kodak has come back through and talked to four or five teams in Charlotte; they came to our
shop and we made a proposal. So, at this particular time, we have interest

... to bring another young driver in might be a real opportunity for us for
next year."