Solid West Coast Swing Puts No. 27 Team in Top 10 in Season Point Standings

Brad Coleman

(Las Vegas, Nev.) March 2, 2008 – Brad Coleman may not be old enough to gamble in Las Vegas, but the youngest driver in the Sam’s Town 300 managed to beat the odds on a very fast Las Vegas Motor Speedway track to finish ninth in Saturday’s race.

The driver of the No. 27 Scott Ford Fusion was the highest finishing non-Cup experienced driver in a contest loaded with 26 Sprint Cup veterans.

Following his career-first incident in a practice session on Friday, Coleman had to qualify and race in a back-up car. He qualified the car in 22nd position then meticulously maneuvered through a series of wrecks and a race-record 13 cautions to bring home Baker Curb Racing’s first top-10 finish of 2008.

“I am happy to be able to bring the guys a top-10 with all that we were up against,” said Coleman. “The team did a great job of working through the back-up car with me and continually making the No. 27 Scott Ford Fusion better throughout the race.”

On lap 131, Coleman made a stunning move, threading the car between the wall and a spinning Marcos Ambrose to keep the team’s hopes alive.

“It was a little crazy out there and Terry (spotter) did a great job of giving me eyes in the sky,” stated Coleman. “When Marcos went spinning towards the wall my only hope was to thread the needle. They said that one looked pretty cool on TV!”

Coleman has developed a reputation over the years of having an uncanny knack for avoiding major wrecks with Houdini-like skills.

“Brad amazed us again with his ability to be smooth in really crazy situations,” said Shawn Parker, crew chief. “He made several stunning moves that kept us out of trouble and in the hunt for a good finish at the end. He drove another great race and the team keeps getting better together. I am really excited about the future of this season.”

The team now heads to Atlanta, another track Coleman will be racing on for the very first time.