AUSTIN, TX, (April 11, 2007) – Brad Coleman is ready to get in the No. 18 Carino’s Italian Grill race car. After a big welcome home from the Governor of Texas, throwing out the first pitch for Nolan Ryan’s Round Rock Express baseball team, and dozens of media interviews and appearances, the 19 year-old is ready to get on the Texas Motor Speedway track for the first time.
“It has been an unbelievable week but we still have a lot more work ahead”, said the Houston native. “I know Texas Motor Speedway is a big-time track and I will have to be patient and respectful, but I am looking forward to the opportunity. My Joe Gibbs Racing teammates will be ready and I know we will bring our best game to the speedway.”
This will mark the rookie’s first back-to-back race weekend for the Joe Gibbs Racing organization and only his fourth race with the team. He comes off a career-best-15th- place finish and Raybestos® Rookie of the Race acclaim in Nashville.
“We still need some time together ironing out all of the little things that make a good team great. I know I am working with some of the best guys in the business so I must work that much harder to do my part in helping us gel as a unit”, said Coleman. “We all know we are up against at least 20 Nextel Cup drivers and teams this weekend so there is not a whole lot of room for error.”
Coleman was discovered at a Texas go-kart track by LeMans Champion, Price Cobb. He then trained in go-karts in the Dallas area and eventually moved in with the Cobb family at a racetrack in Virginia at the age of 14, where he trained daily in many different types of race cars. While he currently enjoys calling Charlotte home, Texas will always hold a special place in Coleman’s heart.
After his debut in Texas, Coleman will pilot the No. 18 in Talladega (April 28); Richmond (May 4); Kentucky (June 16); Milwaukee (June 23); Gateway (July 21); Indianapolis (July 28); Montreal (Aug. 4); Watkins Glen (Aug. 11); Michigan (Aug. 18); Bristol (Aug. 24); Dover (Sept. 22); Memphis (Oct. 27) and Phoenix (Nov. 10). The remaining races in the No. 18 will be shared by fellow teammates Aric Amirola (7), Kevin Conway (8), and Tony Stewart (3).