Roush Fenway Racing's Colin Braun ready to compete next season in Nationwide Series
Roush Fenway Racind driver Colin Braun celebrates his first victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Michigan International Speedway earlier this season. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
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Roush Fenway Racing’s Colin Braun enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series despite seven DNFs that hampered any real hopes of being a serious title contender.
The turning point of Braun’s season turned out to be his first career win, which came at Michigan International Speedway in the season’s ninth race and in his 35th series start.
The victory couldn’t have come at a better time for Braun: It came in the backyard of team co-owner Jack Roush’s Roush Enterprises in nearby Livonia, Mich., and on the heels of a late battle for the lead with Sprint Cup standout Kyle Busch.
But perhaps more importantly, the victory jumpstarted Braun’s season after recording four DNFs in the first eight races. The Ovalo, Texas, native arrived at MIS 18th in the standings but left in 12th and kept picking up steam from there.
Braun built on the momentum of that triumph, which came on June 13, to shore up five third-place finishes over the remaining 16 events.
The last of those runs, which came in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, allowed Braun to move up two positions to fifth in the final standings a year after placing 13th as a rookie.
Braun wanted more in the final race, however, after starting from the pole position and leading five laps.
“I think on one side of me I'm really happy to have gotten in the top five in points, and the other side is frustrated we didn't run better than we did,” said Braun, who will be moving to the Nationwide Series in 2010 to drive a No. 16 Ford full time for Roush Fenway. “I feel like since we did get in the top five in points we can kind of put this race behind us and work on building the Nationwide car and get ready to go Nationwide racing next year.
“I'm sure it will be pretty different.”
Braun will carry Truck sponsor Con-way Freight to the Nationwide Series for 18 races and Truck crew chief Mike Beam will move up with Braun to call the shots.
Driver: Colin Braun
Age: 21
Team: Roush Fenway Racing
Finishing position: Fifth
2009 stats: One win, nine top-fives, 14 top-10s, five poles, seven DNFs
Years in Trucks: Two
Career stats: One win, 12 top-fives, 22 top-10s
