In the city where blues is king, Memphis Motorsports Park is quickly becoming known as the track where NASCAR Busch Series debuts are all the rage.
Led by reigning Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti (No. 42 Target Dodge) and 18-year-old Chase Austin (No. 64 HomeLife Communities Dodge), Saturday’s field at Memphis is again dotted by some high-profile drivers attempting to make their series debuts.
Last year, another open-wheel superstar, Juan Pablo Montoya, was in the debut spotlight along with Tim Schendel who was fresh off his victory in the Elite Division at the Toyota All-Star Showdown.
Austin, who turned 18 less than a month ago, will attempt to become only the second driver of African-American descent to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series (Bill Lester was the first in 1999). A teammate of Steve Wallace (No. 66 HomeLife Communities Dodge), Austin – a competitor in the NASCAR Grand National Division Busch East Series this year – will have to qualify on time.
Additionally, Colin Braun (pronounced “Brown”) looks to make his much-anticipated series debut in the No. 16 3M Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. Like Franchitti, the 19-year-old Braun – a Grand-Am Series “veteran” – made his NASCAR national series debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series last weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
In all, there are 14 drivers age 23 or under entered at Memphis and along with Austin and Braun, there are three other teenagers in the event: 18-year-old Bryan Clauson (No. 41 Memorex Dodge) who is the experienced series driver on the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates team with Franchitti (four starts); 18-year-old Landon Cassill (No. 24 National Guard Chevrolet) and 19-year-old Brad Coleman (No. 18 Carino’s Chevrolet). All three will be making their track debuts at Memphis.
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