Coleman Earns Top 15 the Hard Way

Charlotte, August 2, 2009: For most of the 165 laps into the 250 lap Iowa Speedway NASCAR Nationwide Series debut, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brad Coleman had kept the No. 20 BigSpot.com Toyota in the Top 5 of the field. Lap 166 changed all of that when he felt the car get loose on the entry to turn one. The car slid up the track and caught the No. 32, sending both cars into a synchronized spin.

The crew worked hard on the crumpled BigSpot.com car as the field cycled through the yellow flag laps and got Coleman back out on the track only one lap down. Coleman and his team eventually worked the car from the 24th spot back to the lead lap and were able to finish a respectable 13th in a wild race that tied the record number of cautions for the series this season.

“We had been running really well all day and felt like we had a shot to win,” said Coleman. “We fought the car being tight for a while but the team had it dialed in. While I know the guys wanted the win as much as I did, I am proud of the fact no one gave up and we brought a pretty crunched-up race car back into the Top 15. You don’t do that without some great work from your crew chief and the guys in the pits.”

Coleman talked about the unfortunate incident.

“The 32 (Brian Ickler) car and I were battling for a Top 5 when I drove it under him going into turn one and got loose. I couldn’t save it and wrecked us both. I feel bad because he didn’t deserve it, but its happened to me before and it’s just a racing incident. I immediately went over to their team hauler to apologize to them after the race."

Coleman is not scheduled to be in the race next week at Watkins Glen, but knows with a Top 5 and Top 10 finish in his first two outings at the famed road course, he would do well.

“I really would like to be driving at Watkins Glen but Joey (Logano) is scheduled for that race and I know he will do well. I am already excited about taking the No. 20 BigSpot.com Toyota to Michigan because the Gibbs cars have done so well this year on the big open tracks. Our team has been through a lot in my short run in the car and I am confident it will all come together for the result we know we can achieve.”