News
Team 16 Drivers Reach Ultimate Goal
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Houston, TX (December 10, 2005) – Last year
at this time, 16-year-old drivers Brad Coleman and Colin
Braun were training hard for their record setting run
in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A year later, the two drivers
have announced the ultimate success of the Team16 concept
as they have both received opportunities to take their
professional careers to the top levels of Motorsports.
Coleman, who had a remarkable 2005 racing season in
both the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and the Rolex Grand
American Series, has been signed to a driver development
contract by perennial Top 5 NASCAR Busch team, BREWCO
Motorsports. He will start his season off in ARCA races
with plans to put him in his first Busch Series race
this summer.
Braun was invited to keep his focus on running a Daytona
Prototype in the Rolex Grand American Series. His performance
in 2005 was rewarded with a full-time ride in one of
Krohn Racing’s DP’s. His first race will be at the Rolex
24 at Daytona, where it all started last year for the
two youngsters.
When asked how it would feel not running together as
Team16, Coleman said “It has been a great ride, but
we knew what our ultimate goal was, and we achieved
it. We knew we would have to go our separate ways when
the opportunities came, and that time is now. Colin
and I will always be good friends and have great respect
for each other on and off the race track.
Braun echoed his teammates’ sentiments, stating “We
worked really hard to prepare for this day. We have
both committed every aspect of our lives to racing for
a living and we paid the price. While we would always
like to run together, we are both really happy for each
other.”
The Team16 concept was the brainchild of the two drivers’
fathers, Brandon Coleman and Jeff Braun. Both brought
different disciplines to the effort; Coleman was the
former CEO of a highly successful marketing firm and
Braun is recognized as one of the top engineers in all
of racing. They admit it was a perfect match.
“Our professional roles and responsibilities were very
clear”, stated Coleman. I didn’t ever tell Jeff what
to do with the car and he left me alone to lead the
branding and public relations efforts. It is amazing
how well we worked together, and both boys benefited
from it in a big way.”
Braun added, “You would be hard pressed to find two
young drivers with this much disciplined training in
the total package approach to professional motorsports.
We all worked really hard to make this dream come true
and it is very gratifying to watch it happen.”
While Team16 won’t be running the Rolex 24 at Daytona
together, they have set sterling examples and cleared
the way for a host of young drivers that are now eyeing
the Grand American series as their opportunity for the
future.
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17 Year-Olds Finish Top 10; Knocked Out of Top 5 Finish in Last Lap
Alton, VA (October 9, 2005) -- It was about to be another dream-come-true day for Brad Coleman and Colin Braun as the boys had the Daytona Prototype securely in 5th place with only half a lap left in the Rolex Grand American Race at Virginia International Raceway. After 2 hours and 44 minutes of grueling competition with many of the world’s best sports car drivers, Colin was bringing the car around for the final time and a Top 5 celebration when he was abruptly knocked off the track by a series veteran. Fortunately, Colin was not injured and the boys finished in 9th place, securing their first Top 10 finish in only two Daytona Prototype races.
“We were so close”, stated a disappointed Braun. “Brad and I had worked really hard to bring that car home in the Top 5 and to be taken out right at the end is disappointing to say the least. The Essex Racing Team did a great job and gave Brad and I a quick car. We are both looking forward to our next opportunity to race with the top sports car drivers in Grand Am.”
When asked about the incident, Coleman said “If Colin or I knocked the two drivers off the track that knocked us off in the last two races; the veterans would be saying we were too young to be in this top level series. Now they know we are for real and not just showing up to be the youngest anymore, we are coming to win. I wish our next race was next weekend, but we will have to wait.”
Team16 has had a phenomenal year, starting out with a world-record setting performance at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and ending with a Top 10 finish in a Daytona Prototype. Announcements for next years’ plans are expected to be released soon.
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Carlisle School Honors Teenage Race Car Drivers with Pep-Rally
Martinsville, VA (October 5, 2005) -- Who says pep-rally’s are just for football teams? Record setting Rolex Grand American Team16 drivers Brad Coleman and Colin Braun were honored today at an old-fashioned pep-rally at Carlisle School in Martinsville. The boys were treated to an hour long showing of spirit by over 400 students, cheerleaders, school band, and pep squad as they prepare for the VIR 400 Rolex Grand American race to be held this weekend in nearby Alton, VA.
Carlisle School is recognized as one of the best private College-Prep schools in the nation and is also where young racing phenom Brad Coleman selected to enroll two years ago as a high-school junior while pursuing his professional racing career.
When asked about his school, Coleman stated “Carlisle is a special place to me. I have a lot of great teachers, counselors and friends at that school. They allowed me to continue my busy racing schedule and worked hard to make sure I received a great education at the same time.”
In February, 16 year-olds Brad Coleman and Colin Braun set a World Record as part of the youngest team to ever race in and complete the famed Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. The youngsters garnered an impressive Top 10 finish (7th) in their Porsche 911 GT, earning them the respect of many of the best NASCAR, IRL, and Sports Car drivers in the world. The teenagers then broke another record when they moved up to the Daytona Prototype race car this summer at Birmingham, AL.
Simon Owen-Williams, Carlisle’s Head of School, said of the pep-rally, “It was a great time for all of our students and faculty. How often does a school get to cheer one of its’ own as a professional race car driver? We are proud to play a big role in Brad’s career and happy to send him and his teammate off to their last race of the season in style.”
The VIR 400 Rolex Grand American Series race is October 6-9 at Virginia International Raceway in nearby Alton, VA.
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Grand Am Rookie Wins NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Rookie Points Championship
ALTAMAHAW, NC (September 30, 2005) -- 17
year-old Rolex Grand American Series Team16 driver Brad Coleman won
the 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Rookie Points Championship at
ACE Speedway in his first season of Late Model Stock Car racing. The
young Texan finished Top 10 in all but one of the 21 races and
garnered Top 5 finishes in 10 of his last 11 outings. Coleman will
be qualifying and starting the Team16 Essex Racing/BottleRocket/Auburn
University/Crawford Ford in this week’s VIR 400, just about 30 miles
from the oval track where he clinched the Rookie Points
Championship. Long time ACE Speedway track owner now General Manager
Jim Turner said of Coleman, “I have seen a lot of good drivers come
through the short track ranks over the years, but I have never seen
a young man with this much talent. Not only that, but Brad is a
clean driver and a fine representative of the sport.”
When asked about his great season, Coleman said, “I am blessed to
have done so well in my first stock car season at a track that is so
full of veteran talent. My experience driving in the Grand Am series
was helpful and I also owe a lot of my success to Sellers Racing.
Those guys have tutored me for a year of testing and now a year of
racing. They are incredible.”
Coleman had moved to the VIR area two years ago to live with his
driving coach and mentor, Price Cobb of Synergy Racing. Cobb tutored
and trained Coleman daily at VIR and also encouraged his continued
stock car practice at the many oval short-tracks in the area. |
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Team16 Turns 17
 (September 28, 2005) Houston, TX -- Team16 Drivers Colin Braun and Brad Coleman may have to look for a new name for their successful race team. The well-known teenage drivers have raced under the moniker of Team16 ever since they set the record of the youngest team to ever race in and finish the Rolex 24 Hour of Daytona this past February. As of last week, Braun turned 17 and joined his teammate, Coleman, who had already blown the candles out on his 17th cake.
“Somebody told me we may be too old to drive now”, laughed Braun. “It has been a lot of fun to race in the Rolex Grand American Series as the youngest drivers in their history. More importantly, it has been a great experience for both of us to race with drivers we consider to be among the best in the business.”
When asked about the name change, Coleman said “I think you will still see us as Team16. Our efforts have created quite a brand with that name and logo and I don’t think we will be trying to figure out how to make it 17. Besides, no one can ever take away the fact that we were 16 when we successfully (7th in class) ran the 24 Hour.”
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Teenage Grand American Drivers Capture Hearts in Alabama
(August 4, 2005) Birmingham, AL -- Team16 drivers Brad Coleman and Colin Braun were busy boys last week in Birmingham. Not only did the accomplished racers become the youngest drivers in Rolex Grand American history to race in a Daytona Prototype, but the pair of Texans successfully captured the hearts of the Alabama cities of Birmingham and Leeds along the way.
In a matter of days, the popular youngsters were presented the Keys to the City by the Mayor of Leeds, were luncheon guests of the largest Kiwanis Club in the world (Downtown Birmingham), helped Auburn University raise awareness and support for their SAE Racing and Motorsports education programs, spent one morning playing racing video games with the patients at Children's Hospital, visited patients and families at the Ronald McDonald house, garnered the front page of the Birmingham News, made guest appearances and interviews on multiple television features including ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, were special guests at the Annual Auburn University Football Kick-off Event, signed autographs at several private marketing partner events, met with a number of local officials and dignitaries, spoke at the Leeds Summer Reading Program for kids, signed the Birmingham Pledge against racism as professional athletes, and hosted Auburn graduate and NBA standout Sir Charles Barkley as their special guest to the race on Sunday. The pair took it in stride as part of their total training package to continue their quest to be the best-prepared young drivers in America.
Coleman noted "Working with the media, local communities, schools and marketing partners is just as important as working with your engineer and crew members. Colin and I like to promote the Grand Am series, our team, and racing in general as we travel about the country. Other teenagers and kids seem to look up to us and listen to what we are saying. We have a responsibility to give back because we are so blessed to be on track to race cars for a living."
Team16 accomplished their on-track goals as well. Qualifying the Essex Racing Crawford Ford in 15th, just behind Hurley Haywood and a spot ahead of Bobby Labonte, Colin took the car to 7th position before being knocked for a spin. The car stalled and the team lost several laps, but the pair never gave up, bringing the car all the way back to 13th.
"The race went very well", stated a satisfied Braun. "We started in 15th and worked our way up to 7th. When I was in 7th I unfortunately got tapped from behind and spun in the hairpin. It put us down a few laps and then Brad got in the car and did a good job to get us back up to 13th. Our main goal was to finish the whole race and gain the experience and learn as much as we could, and the team feels like we exceeded those expectations."
The Team16 drivers compete in other series as well, such as Coleman in the Dodge NASCAR Weekly Series in North Carolina on Friday nights and Braun in the Star Mazda Formula Series. Both have a great deal of open-wheel, stock car, and sports car experience for their age and are working towards futures as professional race car drivers.
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Team16 to Sport Auburn University Logo
 
(July 30, 2005) Birmingham, AL -- Team16 drivers Brad Coleman and Colin Braun will be sporting the familiar AU (Auburn University) logo on their #5 Crawford Ford Daytona Prototype this weekend as they establish themselves as the youngest drivers in Grand Am history to race the sleek machine. The two young men have agreed to promote and raise funds for Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering SAE, Baja, and Formula Teams.
Auburn University alums have been encouraged to attend the Porsche 250 sponsored by Bradley Arant Rolex Grand American race and Barber Motorsports Park has agreed to contribute $5 to the War Eagles Racing programs for everyone that attends from AU.
When asked about the promotion, Brad replied "Auburn University is a great school and has a unique Motorsports related education program. We wanted to contribute our time and media exposure to help those college kids achieve their programs goals."
Knowledge has it that the young Texas driver is being courted by Auburn to attend the university in the fall of 2006. Both he and Colin were invited on Wednesday night to the annual Auburn Football Kick-Off event held in the Birmingham Civic Center.
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Team16 Drivers Given Keys to the City
 (July 26, 2005) Leeds, AL -- For only the second time in the history of the City of Leeds, Alabama, the Mayor presented the honorary "Keys to the City" to an athlete. The first was given to NBA great Charles Barkley and the second to young race car drivers Brad Coleman and Colin Braun, racing here this weekend in the Rolex Grand American race at nearby Barber Motorsports Park.
"It was an honor to present these accomplished young men the keys to our City. Leeds is supportive of the Motorsports and Automotive industries and proud to have Barber Motorsports Park as a vital part of our community. Not everyday do we get the pleasure to welcome two record-setting teenagers and possibly help recruit them to attend college in our fine State of Alabama."
The mayor had a good laugh when 17 year-old Brad Coleman thanked the Mayor for the honor and then asked the typical teenage question "Mayor, exactly where will these keys get me into?" The ceremony was held in downtown Leeds at a summer reading initiative with over 100 young children, dignitaries, and media in attendance.
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Roush-Yates Racing Engines Host Team16 Drivers at Mooresville
 (July 20, 2005) Mooresville, NC -- Roush-Yates Racing Engines hosted Team16 drivers Brad Coleman and Colin Braun at their racing engine shop today in Mooresville, NC. The two Rolex 24 Hour of Daytona record setting teenagers were invited to meet Robert Yates and tour the shop that developed the Ford Racing engine the boys will run in their Daytona Prototype at the Rolex Grand American Race next week in Alabama.
"I wanted to meet the young men that set the record at Daytona" said Yates, renowned engine developer for NASCAR. "I understand they will set another record at Barber Motorsports Park next week as the youngest team to ever race a Daytona Prototype in the Rolex Grand American Series. They will be driving one of our special built engines in the Essex Racing Ford Powered Daytona Prototype and I will be pulling for them."
The Roush-Yates Racing Engine shop is the leading developer of high powered racing engines for NASCAR, Busch, Craftsmen Truck and the Daytona Prototype for Grand Am.
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American Teenage Drivers to Set Daytona Prototype Record
 (July 14, 2005) Birmingham, AL -- In February, 16 year-olds Brad Coleman and Colin Braun set a World Record as part of the youngest team to ever race in and complete the famed Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. The youngsters garnered an impressive Top 10 finish (7th) in their Porsche 911 GT3, earning them the respect of many of the best NASCAR, IRL, and Sports Car drivers in the world.
On July 31, Brad (now 17) and Colin will establish another Rolex Grand American record as the youngest team to ever join the Rolex field in a Daytona Prototype. The pair of Texans has been training rigorously in preparation for their Daytona Prototype debut which will be the Bradley Arant 250 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham. They will be piloting the Essex Racing Crawford Ford thanks to long-time sports car team owner Michael Gue and a few key marketing partners that are solidly behind Team16’s plans for the future.
Gue was convinced these two young drivers were special when he witnessed their performances at the Rolex 24, Miami Homestead, and Fontana. “I was incredibly impressed with the experience and maturity level of these two young drivers, and wanted to see how they would do in the DP. They have handled the car and themselves very well during our test days and set some impressive track times in the process. Both young men are talented beyond their years and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see them do quite well in their first race.”
When the boys were asked about their preparation for their DP effort, Braun replied “With all of our varied racing experience, it is like we have driven this car in different pieces before. Once we were able to start testing the DP, it all came together for us.”
Coleman agreed, adding “Our years of training in formula cars and stock cars combined with this past year in sports cars has prepared us in a unique way. The DP is a combination of all of the cars we have raced.”
The Rolex Grand American race at Barber Motorsports Park will be televised on July 31, live on SPEED at 1 PM Eastern time.
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BottleRocket Sports & Entertainment to Represent Young Drivers
 (July 8, 2005) Memphis, TN -- Michael Thompson, Jr., President and CEO of BottleRocket Sports and Entertainment, announced today the firm’s representation of two of America’s best young race car drivers in the development of their professional race careers and marketing partnerships.
In February, 16 year-olds Brad Coleman and Colin Braun set a World Record as the youngest team to ever race in and complete the famed Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. The youngsters garnered an impressive Top 10 finish (7th) in their Porsche 911 GT3, earning them the respect of many of the best professional NASCAR, IRL, and Sports Car drivers in the world. The accomplishment also landed Brad and Colin a trip to New York City to appear live on FOX & Friends and ESPN’s Cold Pizza television shows, as well as other national media appearances and articles.
After winning multiple karting championships in his rookie season, Brad became the first 14 year-old U.S. driver to receive a professional open-wheel racing license. He has amassed more than 40,000 miles of race car experience and has raced at most every major road course in North America. While he has tremendous open-wheel experience, his current focus is on the 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and driving a Datyona Prototype with Colin in the Rolex Grand Amercian Championship.
Colin was born into the sport as the son of a famous race engineer, and was the first 14 year-old to ever win a U.S open-wheel championship. He has used his knowledge well to win multiple open-wheel championships and was named the Gorsline Company Up and Coming American Driver Award in 2004. Colin races in the Pro Mazda open-wheel series and teams with Brad to race the Daytona Prototype in the Rolex Grand American Championship.
“Our firm is honored to be representing these two fine young men. Very similar to our company, they are young, skilled, and ready to take on the world. We want to be there with them every step of the way,” stated Thompson.
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Teenagers Look For Strong Showing at California Speedway
(March 29, 2005) Los Angeles, CA -- Brad Coleman and Colin Braun will continue their quest for a Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series podium finish in the Grand American 400 on April 3, 2005 at California Speedway. The two teens have been turning heads as the youngest drivers to ever challenge for the season-long Grand American Road Racing Championship. They will be building on their record setting efforts in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in their first race of the season on the West Coast.
Team16 hopes to improve on their excellent Grand Prix of Miami qualifying position (3rd) next weekend at California Speedway. "I'm confident that we can repeat if not improve on our qualifying results from Homestead. I think we have a great chance to podium in this race as long as we stay away from trouble," said Brad Coleman. That quest continues April 1-3, 2005 in Fontana, CA where Coleman and Braun will drive the TRG #64 Porsche 911 GT3 for The Racer's Group. The race will be televised live April 2nd on SPEED at 4 PM Eastern time.
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Teenagers Set World Record, Continue Quest in Homestead
(March 3, 2005) Miami, FL -- Brad Coleman and Colin Braun will be the youngest drivers to ever challenge for the Grand Prix of Miami this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The two teens were part of a World Record setting team in February when the 16 year-olds raced in and completed the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, North America's most renowned and challenging endurance road race. The talented youngsters garnered a Top 10 finish (7th) at the famed Daytona International Speedway, earning the respect of many of the best professional NASCAR, IRL, and Sports Car drivers in the world.
The accomplishment also landed Brad and Colin a trip to New York City to appear live on FOX & Friends and ESPN's Cold Pizza television shows, as well as the opportunity to challenge for the season-long Grand American Road Racing Championship. That quest continues this weekend in Homestead, FL where Coleman and Braun will drive the TRG #64 Porsche 911 GT3 for The Racer's Group. The race will be televised live on SPEED at 3 PM Eastern time.
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Team16 on Media Tour in the Big Apple
(February 14, 2005) New York City, NY -- Team16 continues to make waves after Colin Braun, Brad Coleman and Adrian Carrio made history earlier this month when they finished 7th in class at the 2005 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The trio were part of Team16, the youngest-ever drivers to compete in the race, and their finish exceeded expectations. Colin Braun and Brad Coleman will be representing Team16 over the next few days from New York, where they're appearing on two nationally-televised programs, discussing their experience at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Tuesday, February 15th, from 8:00-10:00am ET, Colin and Brad will appear live on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" morning show, also rebroadcast at 10:00am ET. The following day, Wednesday, February 16, the boys will visit the studio of "FOX & Friends" for an interview during the FOX News Channel morning show. "FOX & Friends" airs beginning at 7:00 a.m. and runs until 9:00 a.m. ET.
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16 Year-Olds Finish 7th and Set World Record at Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona
(February 6, 2005) Daytona Beach, FL -- Brad Coleman, Colin Braun and Adrian Carrio saw their dream come true today as Brad brought the #16 TRG Porsche 911 GT3 successfully across the finish line of the famed Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Dubbed as North America's most renowned and challenging endurance road race, the team would have considered just finishing the race to be a successful venture. Not only did Team16 finish, but they did so in style by driving the 180 MPH Porsche 911 GT3 across the finish line in 7th place, quieting all doubters and earning the teens their place in racing history.
After nearly four months of solid driving, conditioning and media training, the trio arrived at Daytona International Speedway at the beginning of February looking to quietly go about their business, qualify for the race and run smartly. TRG and Team16 tested for a total of six days prior to the Rolex at Infineon Raceway, Texas World Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, ensuring that there would be no surprises for the drivers once the track went hot at Daytona.
Esteemed race engineer Jeff Braun put together a rigorous testing and development program for TRG's mechanics, and organized a rotation of spotters to help steer the drivers clear of trouble on track. Ross Bentley, founder of Speed Secrets, who co-drove with the boys during the Rolex 24, was instrumental in designing a comprehensive training program for each driver to help them prepare for the stress and rhythm of endurance racing. The Team16 effort was considered an overwhelming success by everyone involved.
Colin Braun: "We had a great race, and in the end, we accomplished our goals. It was great to race at night at Daytona - it was a challenge but it was also a lot of fun. We had very few problems during the race, and I feel that after all of our training and preparation, we were very successful. I'm thankful to everyone at Speed Secrets and TRG for all the training and help they gave us."
Brad Coleman: "It's a great feeling to just to finish the race, but I think we exceeded everyone's expectations by placing 7th in class and 17th overall. Plenty of people thought we wouldn't do it, but it's wonderful to prove them wrong. We had a great team supporting us, so it's been an awesome experience."
Kevin Buckler: "Everyone at TRG, and especially me, was very impressed watching Colin, Brad and Adrian run at the Rolex 24. I knew we had a winning combination in the middle of our testing program, because all three of the boys demonstrated maturity beyond their years, patience and speed in the race car. For the duration of the race, I kept my eye on them, and was thrilled to watch them steadily pick off their competitors. The Team16 venture was a big success."
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Three 16 Year-Olds Ready to Set Record at Rolex 24 Hour of Daytona
 (February 3, 2005) Daytona Beach, FL -- Three rising American racing stars are prepared to set a record this weekend at Daytona International Speedway as they pilot the Team16 TRG Porsche GT Cup race car at the historic Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The three young men, Brad Coleman (Houston, TX), Colin Braun (Ovalo, TX) and Adrian Carrio (Monument, CO) will pilot the 180 MPH Porsche Cup car for 24 straight hours against a field that may well prove to be the best collection of professional drivers in the history of American racing.
The trio were selected by The Racer’s Group (Sonoma, CA) CEO, Kevin Buckler, and have been on a fierce Porsche Cup GT training schedule for four months. The training, led by coach and fellow driver, Ross Bentley, began at Infineon Raceway in October and concluded in January at the Daytona official test.
Buckler, a 24 Hour Daytona champion himself, said “These three young drivers are professionals beyond their years. When you look at their resumes, watch them on the track, and meet them in person, you will understand why I selected them. On top of that, they have undergone the most intense training program I have ever witnessed for the 24 Hour. Everyone involved is taking this world record endeavor very seriously.”
Coleman won three karting series season championships in his Rookie year, and became the first 14 year-old American to ever receive a professional open-wheel racing license. He has formula car experience at most every major road course circuit in North America, and has raced in the Fran Am and Pro Mazda Series the past two years. He also trains extensively in stock cars on oval tracks in preparation for the 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and was introduced to the Porsche by Le Mans champ Price Cobb.
Braun was born to be a racer, having attended his first race at only two weeks old. It was a natural course for Colin to take as his dad, Jeff Braun, is a professional race engineer. Colin won many different karting championships then went on to become the first 14 year-old to ever win a professional open-wheel title and did so in back-to-back seasons in the Formula TR Pro Racing Series. He is now preparing to race in the Pro Mazda Series in 2005.
Carrio was also a young star in American karting, winning multiple championships during his career. After receiving his professional racing license at 14, he spent the 2004 season capturing Rookie of the Year honors in Formula TR Pro Racing and will focus on running the Pro Mazda Formula Series in 2005.
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The Racer's Group To Field Youngest-Ever Driver Lineup At 2005 Rolex 24 At Daytona
 (December 6, 2004) Sonoma, CA -- The Racer's Group (TRG) is ready to set a record at the 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona - the team will introduce the youngest driver lineup in the 43-year history of the event. Brad Coleman of Houston, Colin Braun of Ovalo, Texas, and Adrian Carrio of Monument, Colo., all age 16, will drive the No. 16 Team16 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in the 24-hour endurance race. Ross Bentley of Redmond, Wash., will be their coach and co-driver.
The teens have already shown their talent in professional racing.
Coleman is the youngest U.S. driver to receive a professional open-wheel racing license, at age 14 in 2002. He competed in the Fran-Am 1600 Pro Series in 2003 and in the Star Mazda Series in 2004, and is now training for the 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.
Braun is the youngest U.S. driver to win a professional open-wheel championship, topping the 2003 Fran-Am 1600 Pro Series at age 14. He won the 2004 rising star award for young American drivers, presented by Sir Stirling Moss on behalf of The Gorsline Company.
Carrio, also licensed as a professional driver at 14, earned rookie-of-the-year honors with his second-place finish this year in the Formula TR Pro Racing series. Like his teammates, he has won multiple karting championships, and he has also conducted extensive testing in sports cars.
TRG owner Kevin Buckler knows how to win at Daytona, after taking the class win in 2002 and the overall victory in 2003. He was impressed with Team16's performance in recent tests at Sears Point (Infineon) Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I selected these young driving stars based on a rigorous set of criteria. Throughout the testing, they met and exceeded my goals," he said. "I have to say I'm really impressed. They are fully committed, extremely mature beyond their years and really good drivers. They're pros in every sense of the word and they're definitely future stars. I'm proud to welcome them to The Racer's Group."
Coleman is probably due for a dry ride after enduring last year's rain-soaked Rolex 24, when he worked as a crew member. "I was part of the pit crew - I was the lollypop [sign] man and I had to help the tire-changer carry the tires. The best part was when I finally got to change into dry gear after the race," he recalled. This year, he'll be inside the car. "I'm still trying to let it soak in because it's a great opportunity for me. I'm very excited!"
Braun is ready for the magic of night racing. "I always thought it was a really cool deal when they raced at night," he said. "I remember sitting up in the grandstands watching all the cars and the brakes light up. I thought, 'Man, it would be so cool if I could ever drive one of these cars at such a historic race.' Finally, I've got the opportunity."
Carrio started in open-wheel racing, but he was soon drawn to Daytona. "Once I got wind of Daytona, it always really interested me because of the history; people devote their lives to this. It was one of those things I always wanted to do," he said. "I just think of how proud I am of the team. It's incredible to be out there having all this fun with all these big drivers."
Bentley, who scored a class win at Daytona in 2003, will do double duty as driver and coach for Team16. He is the author of three books and the founder and head coach of Speed Secrets Driver Development Services. He has designed an intense training program for Coleman, Braun and Carrio, including on-track testing, physical fitness, nutrition and mental preparation.
"Our goal is to prepare them better for one specific race than anyone else ever has been," Bentley said. "The amazing thing is how much experience these kids have for being 16 years old. They've got two years of car racing under their belts already! There's no doubt that they're fast. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn what it is to be smart and consistent, to be a great endurance driver, which will help them in their racing careers."
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is scheduled for Feb. 5 and 6 on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway infield road course in Daytona Beach, Fla.
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