1-13-2008 - Colin Braun's new animal is a truck

Joe Jennings - www.motorsports.com

Daytona Beach, FL: Teenage driving sensation Colin Braun kicks off his 2008 season as co-driver of the AIM Autosport Ford Riley in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Braun has been a regular in the Grand-Am Rolex Series for three years but starting next month he will transition to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving a Ford F150 for Roush Fenway Racing.

Braun's career break came a few months ago when famed NASCAR owner Jack Roush recruited the youngster to drive for his powerhouse team. Without oval track experience, Roush entered the young driver in a handful of ARCA RE/MAX races in 2007, setting the stage for a full season of NASCAR competition in 2008. "My chance to drive for the Con-way (sponsored) team came when Travis Kvapil exited the truck," Braun says. "Jack (Roush) says, 'The more driving you do, the better you will be.' I can't wait to get going."

Braun tested the truck at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and will test again on the Daytona tri-oval this month. "Mike Beam will be my crew chief, and he has so much experience. Also, Travis (Kvapil) has been very helpful regarding the truck, as have the other members of the Roush Fenway team."

To get his feet wet with oval tracks and stock cars, his new team has had him in a Car of Tomorrow and plans to have him test a Nationwide Series car soon. "The ARCA experience gave me a feel for a car but the truck is a whole new animal for me to drive," said the well-spoken driver. "The truck is a whole lot different for me to drive but I am accustomed to the downforce of the truck, which should help me out."

The Roush Fenway drivers have offered lots of counsel to Braun, and he has been talking with them non-stop. "Carl Edwards has been very helpful, as has Travis (Kvapil) and Erik Darnell. Also Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle have offered me advice. They have told me what to expect and I feel prepared going into the season. Now it is up to me."

Braun is quietly confident and keen-eyed observers expect the young Texan to progress up the ladder of success.