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ARCA: Series Debut Up Next for Colin Braun at Gateway
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
08/27/2007 - 07:00 PM
Concord, NC
 
Former Grand Am driver Colin Braun recorded a top ten finish in his first ARCA RE/MAX event at Gateway International Raceway. (Photo: Brian Cleary/Getty Images) ยป More Photos
The newest driver to the Roush Fenway Racing stable, Colin Braun, is looking forward to his first ARCA start this Friday at Gateway International Raceway. Braun is currently racing in the Rolex Grand Am Series and in just 14 starts; he has accrued two poles, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. Not bad for the Ovalo, Texas native who is just 18-years old.

"Everyone at Roush Fenway Racing is excited about having Colin Braun join our team," said Roush Fenway's general manager, Max Jones. "Colin's completed several ARCA tests for us with great success and is putting forth a tremendous amount of effort to learn as much as possible in a short period of time. He's one of the hardest working kids we've had in here and it shows."

Braun has successfully completed five ARCA tests including a test at Gateway on August 14. Braun was one of the fastest cars on the track and took away knowledge that will help him this coming weekend.

"We ran about 100 laps during the test so I think I'm pretty comfortable with the track," said Braun earlier this week. "Erik Darnell was there helping me out and giving me some good tips and pointers so we should be good for the race. We've done a lot of testing but we haven't really run in traffic or nose-to-tail in any sort of race atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to getting out there in an actual race situation and seeing what these cars are like in traffic."

During the test Braun also learned some of the challenges that come with the 1.25-mile oval.

"The biggest challenge for me is the difference between the turns." Braun continued, "One and two is very tight compared to three
and four. Learning how to save the car and the brakes, because it's such a breaking dependant track, will also be a challenge but I think I'm up for it. It's a long race and certainly I'm not used to how cars go through a race, if they fade, or what works and what doesn't tend to work. I think I'm going to have to be conservative at the start then go towards the end."

Crew chief Jeff "Lumpy" Campey has an optimistic outlook on the weekend and is looking forward to his first race as Braun's crew chief.

"We tested real good," said Campey. "Gateway is a little tougher track because everyone shifts but Colin's road course background should really help him there. Our goals are to run all the laps and stay on the lead lap. If we can do that, it will be a successful night for us."

And how will Braun adapt to an ARCA car according to Campey? "Colin has a lot of talent and he gets better and better every time he's in a car. He needs to learn how to not push the issues and be a bit conservative to start. Pit stops are new to him so that may be a challenge but overall I think his natural ability will take over and he'll be ok on track. He listens and he's methodical and that will pay off in the long run."

Braun will race a total of three ARCA races in 2007 - Gateway, Chicago and Talladega. Braun will also complete his obligations to Krohn Racing in the Rolex Grand Am Series in 2007. Braun has one race left in the 2007 Grand Am season at Miller Motorsports Park in Toole, Utah on September 12-15.

SOURCE: RFR Communications

ARCARacing.com