Catchfence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 4, 2010) – Brad Coleman and Jason Ratcliff will reunite on track for the first time in three years when they pair up to run the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend.

Coleman and Ratcliff last worked together in 2007, Coleman’s Raybestos Rookie of the Year season. In 17 races in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18, Coleman posted three top-five and seven top-10 finishes, all with Ratcliff as his crew chief.

Coleman also won his first career pole in the series that year, at Talladega Superspeedway, leading 50 laps and finishing in the top 20 on 10 different occasions.

The highlight of the season came at Kentucky Speedway, where Ratcliff guided Coleman to a second-place finish. Coleman also had top-five finishes at Milwaukee and on the road course at Watkins Glen.

Coleman’s consistent performance earned him the highest average finish of any non-Sprint Cup driver in the Nationwide Series that year – a record only bested to date by teammate Joey Logano.

Ratcliff believes in Coleman and says the young Texan has what it takes to be successful in NASCAR.

“Brad had a phenomenal rookie year with us, and I know he has done a lot of growing since that time both as a driver and a person,” said Ratlciff, the 2009 Nationwide Series championship crew chief for driver Kyle Busch. “He has what it takes, and even though he has not been in the car since last August, we know he will get up to speed very quickly.”

“It’s not easy jumping in the car for a few races and competing against drivers who are in the car every week, but he has a lot of natural talent, and we are going to give him every opportunity to live up to his rookie performance and reputation,” said Ratcliff.

Coleman returned to JGR for the 2009 season, driving the No. 20 with crew chief Dave Rogers on a part-time schedule. But Coleman moved to the No. 18 for 2010, and JGR Vice President for Nationwide Series Operations Steve deSouza figured Ratcliff is the right man for Coleman.

“The first year, Jason had him in a mindset, ‘I just want you to do what the car’ll give you and what you’re comfortable doing.’ Last year, he just missed a couple poles by the tick of it, but he was determined to win races at all costs. Ratcliff will manage Coleman’s expectations and get the most out of him.”

Coleman’s return to the Nationwide Series comes after Busch won the two most recent races in the No. 18, but Coleman doesn’t feel any added pressure.

“Obviously, I am relieving the hottest driver in NASCAR right now and expectations are going to be high anytime you are in a Gibbs car, but I can accept that,” the 22-year-old Coleman said.

“Last year I uncharacteristically pushed it too hard a couple of times and got some bad breaks to boot, but this year is different.” Coleman added, “I have all the confidence in the world in Jason and the 18 crew and know when I drive within myself we can be successful.”

The 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway oval is no stranger to Coleman, as he made both his Nationwide Series and ARCA debuts at the track.

Coleman has five Nationwide starts at Nashville, posting a best finish of 10th last year. He also was 15th in 2007 – with Ratcliff as his crew chief. In two ARCA starts at Nashville, Coleman has recorded a second and a third-place finish, winning the pole there in 2006.

Coleman will carry sponsorship from SafeWay Driving Centers at the Nashville event.

BRAD’S QUOTE ON NASHVILLE:

“Nashville is a great track in a great city. I have been fortunate to have some good finishes there and been very close to winning a couple of races on that track, so I am happy to be going back to work in Nashville.”

Coleman is set to be in the No. 18 JGR Toyota for the next three races:

Nashville, Kentucky Speedway and Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

- Joe Gibbs Racing Press Release