2010 Looks a Lot Like 2008 to Gilliland

Statesville, NC – For Riverside, Calif., native David Gilliland, Las Vegas will just continue the homecoming started last weekend at the California Speedway. Gilliland and his No. 38 Taco Bell team will compete in Sunday’s Shelby American at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway, keeping Gilliland on the west coast near family and friends.

Gilliland also will be making his second start with Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing this weekend. Coming to the team, Gilliland has reunited with co-owner Doug Yates, Roush-Ford Racing Engines, Ford Racing and teammate Travis Kvapil. This is the same combination he had in the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

Gilliland has three top-25 finishes at Vegas in the Sprint Cup Series including a 14th-place finish last season. The team will have associate sponsorship from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas this weekend.

David Gilliland on the Similarities of 2008 and the Las Vegas Oval:
“This really is like going back to 2008 in a lot of ways. That’s exciting. Doug Yates was the guy who gave me my first opportunity to race in the Sprint Cup Series, and we’re good friends today. Having Doug a part of this team, and having Bob Jenkins giving us the resources, this is a good group to align with. We showed some good things at California and I’m pleased right now.

“The motors that Doug gives us are great. In all the races that I’ve had this horsepower, I’ve never had to worry about anything. It gives you a lot of confidence knowing that you’re not going to have any problems. It’s a great worry off your back.

“Being back with Travis is a bonus, too. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. We work together really well, and I trust him to bounce ideas off. He understand how the Fords race and that’s a benefit that we can give to each other. We’ve got the experience with these cars and engine package. We’ve got to take advantage of that. Ford is a great company too. I think we’ve got all the ingredients to have success this season.

“Moving onto Las Vegas, I like the track. It’s faster than the old configuration. It has more banking, and it has some character to it. There are some bumps going into Turn 1, and I think that’s pretty cool. It’s a relatively new place, but it’s a track all to itself with its racing characteristics.

“I like being on the west coast. I have my family and friends there, so it’s a lot like California. Our team stayed out here this week, too. I’ve got my friends from the team. We’re all in a good spot right now and we have something to build from. We’ll take it and race on Sunday.”