Coleman leaves Gibbs for '08 full-time Brewco ride (cont'd)

When asked about leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, Coleman talked about wanting to run a full season for a championship and paid tribute to the people at JGR.

"When I signed with them last year in New York City I said it was a blessing and I still feel the same way a year later," Coleman said. "It looked like things were shaping up for a full-time run for the championship with JGR in 2008, but after the Gibbs Cup drivers had filled the sponsored Nationwide seats there was no room left for a full season. It would have been difficult for me to run another partial season in 2008 because I want to be in the racecar every weekend and I am thankful for Brewco and Kleenex providing me that opportunity.

"As for leaving my teammates, it is hard when you feel like you are leaving family. The people in the Gibbs organization are the best and I will miss them very much. I also want to publicly thank my crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, and all the guys that run the No. 18 Chevrolet for me. They always give it everything they have on and off the track to build a very successful program."

Coleman will now drive a car full-time that has been shared throughout the past two seasons by accomplished Nextel Cup drivers Greg Biffle, Robbie Gordon, Jamie McMurray and Ward Burton. The new owners' strategy will shift from weekly driver changes to one driver, lending their sponsor partners the opportunity to build consistency with their brands and the team a chance to run for the championship.

"I know a lot of the guys at Brewco and am confident we will have great teamwork and relationships as well, and I am really impressed with the new ownership team," Coleman said. "Mr. Baker and his guys are excited about the future and I am looking forward to being part of it."

Kimberly-Clark Corporations' (NYSE: KMB) national customer marketing manager, Jean Maurice Boyer, is looking forward to having Coleman represent their well-trusted brands.

"Brad will be a great representative of all our brands and we are pleased to have him drive our car as we extend our sponsorship of the Brewco Motorsports team," Boyer said. "We are already putting together some very innovative brand promotions for Kleenex, Scott, Viva, Cottonelle, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Depend and others for what we believe will be a fantastic 2008 season."

Associate sponsors have been secured for the 2008 effort and will be announced in coming weeks. Coleman still has two races to run for Joe Gibbs Racing, one at Memphis on Oct. 27 and the final at Phoenix on Nov. 10. Plans are underway to try and run Coleman in additional races this season under the Brewco banner and will be announced soon.