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Joey Coulter is ready to roll with the changing tides

Most drivers will tell you winning at Talladega takes a combination of skill and luck

Joey Coulter

Joey Coulter

Philippe Champoux

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 15, 2013) - The 18th race on the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) schedule at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway is one of two superspeedway races on the 22-race schedule. The Alabama track is the largest the series visits as well as one of NASCAR's top 10 fastest tracks on the circuit. The 2.66-mile Tri-oval holds the all-time NASCAR track record for an incredible fast lap of 212.809 produced by Bill Elliott in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying in 1987. It's also a track that most teams circle on their calendar as "The Wild Card."

Joey Coulter
Joey Coulter

Photo by: Philippe Champoux

Most drivers will tell you winning at Talladega takes a combination of skill and luck. Coulter proved he had the skill to run up front at Talladega earlier this season in the Nationwide Series, where he led three laps and was running inside the top 10 before a late accident relegated him to a 21st-place finish. Now with another race of experience on the famed track and veteran crew chief Harold Holly, an Alabama native, providing solid strategy atop the pit box, all the No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports team needs is to get a little luck to go their way. With several misfortunes keeping them from collecting a win this season, the team is hoping that the tides will change on Saturday and they will roll to victory in the fred's 250 powered by Coca-Cola.

Joey Coulter, Driver of the No. 18 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Toyota Tundra: Talladega Superspeedway is considered one of the top 10 fastest tracks in NASCAR. Do you enjoy superspeedway racing at Talladega? "It's hard not to enjoy racing at Talladega. It is one of the fastest tracks that we race at and when it comes down to the end, it's probably one of the most intense. Our trucks punch such a big hole in the air that the closing rate is really fast, which can make things unpredictable."

You have had two weeks off since your last Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Do you enjoy the down time between races or do you prefer a more back-to-back schedule? "Off weeks aren't good for me, I really enjoy racing every weekend. A break is good every once in a while, but for me the more racing the better. I recently hosted a charity go-kart race which was a lot of fun and I've been back a couple times since. Granted the karts aren't my Toyota Tundra, but I was making laps, racing against some fellow Truck Series competitors and that kind of kart racing really keeps you in shape for what we do in these trucks. Whatever I have to do to stay active and engaged, whether it's a go-kart or a late model, I'm in."

Do you feel like you have unfinished business in the No. 18 Toyota Tundra this year? "We do have unfinished business in the 18. Our goal this year was to win the championship. Our goals now have shifted to winning these last 5 races and performing like the championship team that we know we are."

Harold Holly, Crew chief of the No. 18 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Toyota Tundra: Do you approach superspeedway racing with a plan on how to run the race or do you allow the race to play out and then make a plan? "Ultimately you like to go into it thinking you have a plan, but anything can happen and based off of circumstances your plan can change a little bit. Some teams decide going into the race that they are going to lay back for a little while, but when the green flag drops, we are going to go and whatever happens, happens. We are going there to race, not lay back, that's our plan."

What type of race do you expect on Saturday? "Typical Talladega. It usually gets bottled up and the bottom is faster, then the top will make a big run. I believe it will be good three and four-wide racing and not just two-by-two racing through the field. It's a day race and it will be a little bit cooler,so I'm sure there will be some that test the waters, but I think it should be a good show for all the fans."

KBM

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