CHINA GROVE, N.C. (April 27, 2010) – For the second time this year, Coleman Pressley will take over the wheel of the No. 23 Chevrolet for R3 Motorsports in Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway in the Bubba Burger 250.
Pressley, a third-generation NASCAR driver, made his debut with R3 Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway in March. This will be his second start at the .75-mile oval of RIR. Last year, he qualified a career-best 13th with another team, but dropped out with overheating problems just 16 laps into the race.
Short track racing, on a Friday night and under the lights are all factors the 21-year old Pressley is accustomed to when he’s raced in the past. Coming through the developmental ranks, he’s notched 26 Late Model wins making a track like Richmond very attractive to this up-and-coming driver.
This will be Pressley’s seventh NNS start of his career. He’s also scheduled to drive for the team at Darlington Raceway next weekend.
Even though there isn’t a primary sponsor on the car, R3 has donated the lower quarter panel area of their Chevrolet to Sal’s Pals. This charity is named for Sal Pinardo, an eight-year old boy in Toledo, Ohio who has Cystic Fibrosis. The organization is hosting their annual fundraiser and dinner on May 8 and more info is available at www.salspals.com
Car info: The team is taking Chassis No. 37 to Richmond. Last used at Bristol by Pressley, he was running 15th before contact with another car forced him into the outside wall and out of the race.
Fast Facts: This will be Pressley’s second start at the .75-mile oval of Richmond. In 2009, he started a career best 13th but was forced to the garage 16 laps into the race with an overheating problem.
Moving up in the OP – again: For the fourth-consecutive race, R3 Motorsports has moved up in the Owner’s Points standings. After a 20th-place finish by Robert Richardson, Jr. last week in Talladega, the No. 23 Chevrolet moved up two positions to 24th. They currently trail the 23rd place team by just four markers and 22nd place by 37 points.
How ‘bout a Burger, Bubba: Pressley is one of the five finalists in the Bubba Burger Create Your Own Burger contest amongst Nationwide Series drivers. If all goes well, he’ll create his recipe of a Turkey Bubba Burger, a cut and split hot dog, potato chips, peanut butter cups and some chili – all on a wheat bun – for judges to taste. If he wins, the entire R3 team gets a Bubba Burger lunch.
About Sal’s Pals: This charity was formed in 2001 when Sal Pinardo was born with Cystic Fibrosis in Toledo, Ohio. To date, Sal’s Pals has raise more than half a million dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through generous donations. For more information about Sal’s Pals and Cystic Fibrosis, check out their website of www.SalsPals.com on the internet. Sal's Pals is committed to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. They will use all of their strengths and talents to ensure successful fundraising events that raise money and create awareness for CF. They will embrace the future by recruiting and motivating families, friends and corporations to join their fight by inspiring within them a passion to join their cause. Their fight will continue until a cure is found for Sal, and the thousands of others that suffer daily from this disease.
Coleman Pressley Quotes: "I can't wait to get to Richmond and race that track. My dad has told me so much about it and I know how great the racing is there from what I've been able to watch in person and see on TV. I didn’t get a chance to do too much there last year, but that will be different this time with R3 Motorsports.
"The history of the track is something I really respect. But, I know I have to respect the track because of its layout, how fast it is and my fellow drivers, as well. My goals this weekend are to finish the race, bring the car home in one piece and learn everything I can during the weekend.
"Racing under the lights on a Friday night is what I grew up on, and I know the fans are going to be all pumped up. This is the type of racing I love and can't wait to get back out there in the No. 23 Chevrolet of R3 Motorsports."
Marketing Partnership Information: To become involved with R3 Motorsports and Robert Richardson, Jr., inquiries can be sent to timpackman@yahoo.com or by calling 704-507-1838