Dream come true: Coleman ready to make his Sprint Cup debut
By SceneDaily Staff
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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Brad Coleman is ready to make his “lifelong dream” come true in this weekend’s 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway by making his Sprint Cup debut.
Coleman is taking over Hall of Fame Racing’s No. 96 Toyota beginning with this weekend’s race. He has been testing for the team, but after J.J. Yeley was let go, Hall of Fame picked Coleman as the replacement.
“I’m just really excited to do my first race for Hall of Fame Racing,” Coleman said. “After the year of testing I’ve done, I feel prepared and I’m ready to get in the car.
“My goal when I first got to the Nationwide Series was to gain the respect of all the other drivers – race them hard, but race them clean and give them room. I accomplished that goal. In the Sprint Cup Series, I want to do the same thing. I want to finish races without any damage and gain the respect of the Sprint Cup guys. I want to race them hard, but race them clean.”
Coleman has yet to drive NASCAR’s new car in a race, but he has tested it at a variety of tracks.
“It’s a challenging car to drive – more of a challenge than a Nationwide Series car,” Coleman said. “It’s got a lot more horsepower and it’s a lot more top-heavy and it doesn’t handle as well in the corners. You have to drive it a lot harder, but it’s fun with that rear wing because you can lay it out on the line and that rear wing will catch you a little bit.”
One aspect of the race Coleman isn’t used to is the longer distance. Sunday’s race will be 400 miles, longer than any Nationwide Series race he’s participated in.
“I’ve been working out really hard for about the last year-and-a-half,” Coleman said. “The races are long races and they’re very tough. Not many people know how difficult it is to drive these stock cars on an oval. It’s very physical. I’ve been working out very hard these last couple of weeks. I’ve really stepped up my program and my hydration and I’m just stepping it up to get ready for these Sprint Cup races.”
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Brad Coleman
Comments
4 responses to "Dream come true: Coleman ready to make his Sprint Cup debut"
Charles OBrien said:
Aug 13, 2008 at 2:28 PMLike Dave Rodman (nascar.com writer)just said on Sirius Satellite, "Coleman is a great talent and proved himself at every level of the sport. It will be important for Hall of Fame Racing to have the pateience it will take to be successful." Here's to HOF giving Coleman the patience and support it will take to win together. Maybe with the help with of Gibbs they will get it done. Go Brad and HOF!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportCharles OBrien said:
Aug 13, 2008 at 2:29 PMGuess I gotta go buy a DLP/HDTV now to watch the races!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSteve C said:
Aug 13, 2008 at 8:53 PMI think it is a shame to put a un-experenced youngster in a non- competive car. HOF has had two good drivers in the past three years and still could not preform. What makes them think this youngster can turn a failing team around when an experenced professional could not.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsaid:
Aug 14, 2008 at 7:01 AMI AGREE WITH STEVE ITS TO SOON TO PUT BRAD IN A CUP CAR. DON'T GET ME WRONG I LIKE THE KID, I'VE BEEN VOTING FOR HIM FOR FAVORITE DRIVER IN NATIONWIDE BUT HE SHOULD STAY THERE IN NATIONWIDE ONLY FOR ANOTHER YEAR. SEEMS LIKE ALL TEAMS ARE RUSHING THIS YOUNG GUYS NOW DAYS. I'M NOT SURE JOEY IS READY TO TAKE OVER THE 20 CUP CAR AS GOOD A DRIVER AS HE SEEMS TO BE. BUT IF THE COACH THINKS SO SO FAR HE HAS MADE GREAT CHOICES. GET WELL QUICK COACH.
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