19 Year-Old Gibbs Rookie Leads Most Laps in Record Shootout
TALLADEGA, AL - In what proved to be a NASCAR Busch
Series-record 36 lead changes by 20 different drivers, teenage driving
phenom Brad Coleman led the most laps in route to his first NBS Top 10
In just his fifth start for Joe Gibbs Racing, first NBS restrictor plate
race, and first run at Talladega Superspeedway, Coleman won the Pole
Award and secured his third consecutive Top 20 finish in a field loaded
"This was the most fun race I have ever run," said the exuberant
youngster. "Starting on the pole was exciting and we held the lead for
14 laps before experiencing the train. I knew it was coming, and I got
shuffled to the back of the lead pack pretty quickly. That's where my
patience kicked in and I settled in for the race. I avoided a number of
wrecks that happened right in front of me, then got on the right train
to the front to end the race."
Coleman made a variety of quick moves to avoid five near-miss accidents
that occurred within the danger zone of his No. 18 Carino's Italian
Grill Chevrolet. Miraculously, the talented teenager avoided the carnage
and was able to bring the Carino's car to an impressive ninth place
"Carl Edwards came up to me after the race and said you did a good job
today. When a Cup driver comes over to shake your hand it really makes
your day. My crew later told me that Carl had radioed to his crew chief
during the race to go over to my pit and tell my guys I was doing a
great job. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel. Today was a
real blessing in more ways than I can describe," said Coleman.
The rookie gave a wealth of credit to his Joe Gibbs Racing team.
Coleman added, "I knew we were close to gelling as a team. Only five
races together and we are starting to feel like a very strong unit. I
can't thank my Crew Chief Jason Radcliffe and teammates enough for a
top-notch effort. And my spotter, Terry Hooten, wow, he was like a
visionary today. He made it all work."
Coleman will now head to Virginia, where he lived with his mentor and
coach LeMans Champion Price Cobb while attending high school in
Martinsville. He will pilot the No. 18 Carino's Italian Grill Chevrolet
in the Circuit City 250 in Richmond, then at 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).