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Indianapolis, IN (July 27, 2007) – When Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Brad Coleman pulls into the track at O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend in preparation for the Kroger 200 it will be the first time he has ever laid eyes on the place, but it will not be his only first of the weekend trip to Indy.
The young Texan was invited by his longtime childhood idol and NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon and the Jeff Gordon Foundation to participate in the celebrity bowling tournament held yesterday in Indianapolis. With a real love for helping children and a desire to join other celebrity athletes to raise money for the Riley Hospital for Children, it was a special day for Coleman.
“It is always a special day for me when I get to help other kids, but today was extra special because I finally got to meet my childhood idol Jeff Gordon,” Coleman said with a smile.
The star studded event included Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, a host of ESPN and SPEED celebrities, professional athletes from the Indianapolis area, music stars, professional bowlers and many other notable NASCAR and media personalities. The Jeff Gordon Foundation has presented the Riley Hospital for Children with more than a million dollars of caring support this year alone.
Coleman will now visit the kids of the Riley Hospital for Children today and then focus his efforts on racing at ORP for the first time.
“I went to the Indy 500 when I was 10 and spent time at the big speedway, but I have never seen the IRP (ORP) track,” said Coleman. “I was able to get some good tips from Jimmie Johnson and a few others at the Jeff Gordon Foundation Bowling Tournament yesterday and I am looking forward to the race.”
Not many rookies fare well in the tight confines of ORP but that doesn’t concern Coleman.
“Jimmie Johnson was telling me that the best NASCAR Busch finish he ever had at ORP was like 27th or something and that makes you think twice. He is the Nextel Cup Champion so that shows you how tough that place must be,” noted Coleman. “I adapt very quickly to new tracks so I am confident we will do well and I know the JGR team will have me ready to compete.”
ORP marks the second of a six week stretch of consecutive races for Coleman, his longest run of the year. Following ORP it will be off to the road courses at Montreal and Watkins Glen, followed by the high speed track of Michigan and the night race on newly paved Bristol.