Roush Fenway Racing announced today that they have signed 18-year old Colin Braun (pronounced brown) to their driver development program. Braun will be entered in select ARCA races in 2007, and will compete for Rookie-of-the-Year honors as well as the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship in 2008.
“This is an incredible opportunity, ” said Braun. “To drive for Roush Fenway Racing is a dream come true. I look forward to learning as much as I can, and growing as a driver and a person. There are so many talented people working within their organization. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and being with Roush Fenway Racing for a long, long time. “
Braun began racing at age six in Quarter Midgets in his home state of Texas. By age 14, Braun was racing in the National Auto Sport Association’s Fran-Am1600 Pro Series, where he won Rookie-of-the-Year honors, eight of 11 races and a championship. The following year Braun won eight races in a row and a second championship in the 2000 Formula TR Series. In 2005, Braun advanced to the Grand-Am Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve, where he currently drives for Krohn Racing. At just 16 years of age, he became the youngest ever Rolex Prototype driver. The following year he took home his first Grand Am win at the Daytona 250 and collected win number two of the season at Barber Motorsports Park. Braun is currently racing in the Grand Am Series where he sits third in points with three top-10 finishes in four starts.
“We’re very happy to announce the signing of Colin Braun to Roush Fenway Racing, ” said team owner Jack Roush. “Colin has shown a tremendous amount of promise in the Grand Am series, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish in stock cars. Colin is a young driver who has shown potential both on and off the track, and we’re happy that he will be part of Roush Fenway Racing going forward. “
Erik Darnell has been behind the wheel of the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion for two ARCA events, recording a second-place finish at Kansas Speedway in April and a win at Kentucky Speedway earlier this month. Braun is tentatively scheduled to drive the No. 99 Ford at Gateway International Raceway on August 31, and Chicagoland Speedway on September 8. Darnell, Braun and others will continue to drive the No. 99 ARCA entry in selected races throughout the 2007 season. Roush Fenway Racing is currently seeking sponsorship opportunities for 2007 and beyond.
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