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FT. WORTH, TX, (April 15, 2007) – Joe Gibbs Racing 19-year-old standout rookie Brad Coleman capped off his big welcome home week at Texas Motor Speedway by driving the No. 18 Carino’s Italian Grill Chevrolet to a 16th place finish in yesterday’s O’Reilly 300 in front of more than 200 friends and family. His finish put him among the Top 3 NASCAR Busch Series drivers in the race that do not compete in Nextel Cup.
“It has been a rather incredible two weeks and I am glad we could wrap it all up with a strong finish”, said the Houston native. “Carino’s Italian Grill launched their new brand this week and I have been very busy off the track. We have had at least three appearances every day plus multiple media interviews, a meeting with Governor Perry and throwing out the first pitch at the Round Rock Express baseball game. While that was a lot of fun it sure felt good to get behind the wheel of the race car.”
Coleman brought the Carino’s car up from the 39th starting position, making him the most improved driver of the race by advancing 23 spots.
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“I was overly-conservative in qualifying and had to start 39th”, stated Coleman. “I knew my team had given me a good car and I wanted to give them a strong race result in return. We worked our way cleanly through the pack and finished with a Top 20 which was my goal coming into this track for the first time, so I am very pleased with our progress. It was a great week for Carino’s Italian Grill, me, and my great JGR team.”
This race marked the rookie’s first back-to-back race weekend for the Joe Gibbs Racing organization and only his fourth race with the team. He came off a career-best-15th- place finish and Raybestos® Rookie of the Race acclaim in Nashville, finishing as the second top rookie in the Texas race yesterday.
Coleman will now 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).