Brewco Rookie Coleman Takes Second in ARCA Debut

Nashville, Tenesee (April 15, 2006) - Brewco Motorsports rookie Brad Coleman was not acting like your typical rookie on Saturday afternoon at Nashville Superspeedway. The 18-year-old was calm, cool, and collected during his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut, en route to an impressive second-place finish in the PFG Lester 150.

Coleman started the race high in the field, after qualifying the No. 62 Federated Auto Parts Ford in third place. Crew chief Shawn Parker began coaching his rookie driver over the team radio even before the drop of the green flag Saturday, reminding Coleman to be patient, drive with his head, and take care of his equipment.

Coleman did just that, staying in the top-five for most of the event, and by lap 48 was leading the race by as much as 2.5 seconds.

The No. 62 car was in 24th position after the pit stop, but it wouldn’t be long before Coleman put the Brewco machine back in the top ten. Parker again reminded his driver to be patient, and “pick cars off one at a time.” Coleman followed the instructions and was in the 15th spot by lap 68, in 12th by lap 79, and in tenth place by lap 90.

Parker’s strategy to pit once early in the race and conserve fuel had worked, and after cars in the field made pit stops for gas and tires, Coleman was in the third place by lap 99. Following a caution on lap 108, the Brewco car was in second place, ready to go for the win. However the team fell just short of victory at the end, only 0.538 seconds behind race winner Stephen Leicht.

“For the restart at the end, I was really just focusing on the guy ahead of me and trying to get the best restart I could,” Coleman said. “Overall it was a great race and I couldn’t be more excited.  I wish we had the win, but you can’t be disappointed with a second place finish in your very first outing as an ARCA team and driver.  The guys did a great job.”

The No. 62 Brewco team is scheduled to compete in the ARCA RE/MAX Series next weekend when the tour visits Salem Speedway in Southern Indiana.

“I’m excited for Salem,” Coleman said. “It will be a lot of fun going back to a short-track race, kind of like returning to my days at ACE Speedway, except this time it will be with banking.”