Brad Coleman Back On Track at Nashville

From the team press release:

Charlotte, NC (June 2, 2009) – The last time Brad Coleman was in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race was August of 2008 when he brought home a Top 10 finish at Watkins Glen. Ten months later, the 21 year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver is looking to regain momentum when he gets back on track at Nashville in the No. 20 Rudys.com JGR Toyota Camry at the Federated Auto Parts 300.

Considered by many to be one of the top NASCAR Sprint Cup prospects coming off his 2007 rookie NASCAR Nationwide Series season with Joe Gibbs Racing, Brad Coleman endured a tough sophomore year. With JGR unable to obtain sponsorship for a full 2008 Nationwide Series run, Coleman was faced with the prospect of driving a handful of races or moving to another team to get a full season under his belt. After conferring with JGR President J.D. Gibbs and VP of Nationwide Series Operations Steve DeSouza, the trio agreed he needed the full season of seat time and experience at all of the tracks on the circuit.Joe

Within the week, the 19 year-old signed a full season deal with two newly purchased race teams. He signed with Baker Curb Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Hall of Fame Racing in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“I may be the only guy ever to sign with a Ford team in one series and a Toyota team in another series at the same time,” smiles Coleman. “It was a move everyone agreed to at the time and it promised me a lot of seat time in both the Nationwide and COT cars which is what I needed.”
It proved to be a valuable but difficult learning experience. Both teams faced new ownership complications and the financial challenges that came with the downfall of the U.S. economy in 2008.

“I wouldn’t trade that learning opportunity for the world, nor would I ever want to go through it again,” stated Coleman. “I got a lot of seat time in both cars and developed a level of patience, maturity and appreciation that I know will serve me well for years to come.”