Coleman Finally Gets to Race at Watkins Glen
Only Major U.S. Road Course the Teenager has not Driven
Charlotte, NC (August 8, 2007) – Fresh off a Top 10 finish in Montreal last week, Brad Coleman will finally get his chance to race Watkins Glen. All of Coleman’s previous opportunities to race the famed 2.45 mile circuit during his run in the Rolex Grand American series came when he was only 17 and New York State law requires all race drivers to be 18 years of age.
“My Team16 teammate and friend, Colin Braun, fought that one for a long time as well and he finally got to race there last year,” remembered Coleman. “I have been to the track as a crew member but have never been able to drive on it. I am glad that I finally have the opportunity and am really excited about it.”
Coleman’s first lap around The Glen in the No. 18 Carino’s Italian Grill Chevrolet will complete the 19 year-olds’ quest to race on every major road course in the U.S. His journey throughout major U.S. road courses started with Formula Fran Am cars at the age of 14, then on to the Star Mazda Formula Series and ultimately the Rolex Grand American series where he raced Porsche 911 GT3’s and Daytona Prototypes on America’s finest circuits all the while training in stock cars at short tracks such as South Boston and ACE Speedway.
“We always focused my career development on a balanced combination of ovals and road courses,” stated the young Houstonian. “We knew the skill sets gained from various types of tracks, cars, and racing conditions would prepare me well for the future. Road courses are highly technical in ways that ovals are not and ovals have their own unique set of technical challenges and demands that road courses do not have. I truly love racing on both and know for a fact that my skill sets from each carry over to the other and make me a better driver.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Busch Series rookie will get his chance to race against many of the best in the business this weekend in the Zippo 200 as there will be a host of road course specialists and Nextel Cup drivers joining the Busch race. It is estimated that at least 24 of the race’s entries will be filled by drivers with racing experience at Watkins Glen.
