Brad Coleman
Encyclopedia
Bradford Coleman is an American
stock car driver. He was a high school graduate of Carlisle School
.
Coleman was discovered at an indoor karting center in Houston, TX by LeMans champion Price Cobb
. He set a record at 16 years-old at the Rolex 24 at Daytona when he and his teammates finished 7th in the GT class driving a Porsche 911
GT3, making them the youngest team in history to drive and complete the famed race.
Following extensive training and racing in stock cars and formula cars, he made his big league stock car racing
debut in the ARCA RE/MAX series at Nashville Superspeedway
on April 15, 2006, where he finished second. In 9 starts, Coleman posted 8 top five finishes including 3 poles and 1 win. On June 10 of the same year, Coleman made his debut in the Busch Series
the same week he graduated from high school. In 2007, Coleman ran 17 races for Joe Gibbs Racing
in the #18 Carino’s Italian Grill Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series with Aric Almirola
, Kevin Conway
, and Tony Stewart
filling in the remainder. He put together 3 top 5 finishes, 5 top 10 finishes, 7 top 15 finished and 9 top 20 finishes in only 14 races, including back to back top 5 finishes at Milwaukee and Kentucky and another top 5 finish at Watkins Glen
.
It was announced on October 2007 that Coleman would leave Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2007 season. He signed with Baker Curb to drive the #27 Kleenex
Ford Fusion full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008, and it was later announced that he had signed with Hall of Fame Racing
as well, with plans of running a part-time schedule in 2008
, and a full-time run in 2009. He made his Sprint Cup Series debut in the #96 Texas Instruments
DLP HDTV Toyota Camry
starting at the 3M Performance 400 on August 17, 2008, due to previous driver J.J. Yeley being released. Due to his new Sprint Cup ride, Coleman left Baker Curb Racing. However, after only one start, he was released by Hall of Fame Racing. In 2009 Coleman returned to the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He shared the #20 Toyota with Joey Logano
and Denny Hamlin
and drove 8 races. In 2010 he will move back to Joe Gibbs Racings #18 Toyota, the car he drove in 2007 and share the ride with Kyle Busch
.
In 2010, Coleman ran six races with a best finish of 6th, twice. He qualifyed on the outside front row at Kentucky, alongside teammate Joey Logano. He was running in the top-ten at Gateway until being involved in a wreck with teammate Matt DiBenedetto
. At Road America he was leading inside of ten laps to go but was forced off the track on a late restart by Brad Keselowski
but recovered to finish 6th.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stock car driver. He was a high school graduate of Carlisle School
Carlisle School
Carlisle School is a small private school for grades PS-12 located in Martinsville, Virginia. Serving over 400 students from throughout the region, it also offers an international baccalaureate program. Carlisle is known for their academics, as well as their tremendous success in sending their...
.
Coleman was discovered at an indoor karting center in Houston, TX by LeMans champion Price Cobb
Price Cobb
Price Cobb won the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans together with John Nielsen and Martin Brundle in a Jaguar XJR-12. He also owned an Indy Racing League team in 1998 and 1999 for Roberto Guerrero and Jim Guthrie...
. He set a record at 16 years-old at the Rolex 24 at Daytona when he and his teammates finished 7th in the GT class driving a Porsche 911
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...
GT3, making them the youngest team in history to drive and complete the famed race.
Following extensive training and racing in stock cars and formula cars, he made his big league stock car racing
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
debut in the ARCA RE/MAX series at Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
on April 15, 2006, where he finished second. In 9 starts, Coleman posted 8 top five finishes including 3 poles and 1 win. On June 10 of the same year, Coleman made his debut in the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
the same week he graduated from high school. In 2007, Coleman ran 17 races for Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
in the #18 Carino’s Italian Grill Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series with Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola
Aric A. Almirola is a Cuban-American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives the #88 Unilever/Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports. Almirola attended the University of Central Florida working on a degree in mechanical engineering before leaving to...
, Kevin Conway
Kevin Conway (NASCAR)
Kevin Conway is an American NASCAR driver. He is the 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Conway has raced in motocross, legends, the World Karting Association, and the United States Automobile Club.-2002-2005:...
, and Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
filling in the remainder. He put together 3 top 5 finishes, 5 top 10 finishes, 7 top 15 finished and 9 top 20 finishes in only 14 races, including back to back top 5 finishes at Milwaukee and Kentucky and another top 5 finish at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
.
It was announced on October 2007 that Coleman would leave Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2007 season. He signed with Baker Curb to drive the #27 Kleenex
Kleenex
Kleenex is a brand name for a variety of toiletry paper-based products such as facial tissue, bathroom tissue, paper towels, and diapers. The name Kleenex is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Often used as a genericized trademark, especially in the United States, "Kleenex"...
Ford Fusion full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008, and it was later announced that he had signed with Hall of Fame Racing
Hall of Fame Racing
Hall of Fame Racing was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing team principally owned by Jeff Moorad, Tom Garfinkel, and Tom Davin. The team was created as a joint venture between former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman...
as well, with plans of running a part-time schedule in 2008
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season began on February 9, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday, February 10, 2008 for the 50th Daytona 500 on February 17...
, and a full-time run in 2009. He made his Sprint Cup Series debut in the #96 Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
DLP HDTV Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
starting at the 3M Performance 400 on August 17, 2008, due to previous driver J.J. Yeley being released. Due to his new Sprint Cup ride, Coleman left Baker Curb Racing. However, after only one start, he was released by Hall of Fame Racing. In 2009 Coleman returned to the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He shared the #20 Toyota with Joey Logano
Joey Logano
Joseph Thomas "Joey" Logano , nicknamed "sliced bread" by Randy LaJoie, is an American stock car auto racing race car driver who currently drives the #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series and the #20 GameStop/Sport Clips Toyota Camry in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs...
and Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin
James Dennis Alan "Denny" Hamlin is an American race car driver. Though originally born in Tampa, Florida, Hamlin was raised for most of his life in Chesterfield, Virginia. After racing in go-karts for a number of years, he worked his way up to Late Models by 2004 and signed a development contract...
and drove 8 races. In 2010 he will move back to Joe Gibbs Racings #18 Toyota, the car he drove in 2007 and share the ride with Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Thomas Busch, is an American NASCAR driver and team owner. He currently drives the No. 18 Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the No...
.
In 2010, Coleman ran six races with a best finish of 6th, twice. He qualifyed on the outside front row at Kentucky, alongside teammate Joey Logano. He was running in the top-ten at Gateway until being involved in a wreck with teammate Matt DiBenedetto
Matt DiBenedetto
Matt DiBenedetto is a NASCAR driver who is currently driving in the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series. Matt first showed an interest in auto racing after receiving his Little League trophy around age 8. His father noticed he preferred watching automobile racing on television over...
. At Road America he was leading inside of ten laps to go but was forced off the track on a late restart by Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski
Bradley Robert Keselowski is an American auto racing driver currently competing in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger in the Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire Company/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series for Penske Racing...
but recovered to finish 6th.