Coleman’s day doesn’t end like it started

Brad Coleman

(Phoenix, Ariz.) April 14, 2008 – Coming off his best qualifying position of the season, Brad Coleman and the No. 27 Scott Tissue Ford Fusion were positioned to finally leave a mark on the 2008 season at the start of the Bashas’ 200 in Phoenix on Friday.

Starting in the eighth position on the outside row, Coleman’s day looked like he was primed to give his competition a run for their money.

“The car felt the best it had all season,” said Coleman. “I really thought we could get out there and really make a statement. The No. 27 Scott Tissue Ford Fusion was solid in qualifying and I knew we would be able to run well. It just ended up not being our night.”

However, mistakes on the track and on pit road hampered the team’s path to a strong finish in the race with the team taking the checkered flag in the 23rd position.

“Brad really drove the tires off of the car,” said Shawn Parker, crew chief. “We had a strong car and it was disappointing to not see it finish where we would have liked. However, two penalties on pit road really cost us, along with some other mistakes we had out there. We will learn from what happened and be ready to come back here in November and run strong.”

The team heads south for the next race, the Mexico 200, in Mexico City next Sunday.