Charlie Bradberrys 2003 season was about as good as it can get. His first-ever NASCAR championship (Southeast Series) and a handful of victories, including the prestigious Snowball Derby (Pensacola, FL) to close out the season, were enough to get anyone pumped up about racing again in 2004. But now the Southern-based hotshoe will tackle the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2004. The 21-year-old will compete in a part-time schedule with hopes of attracting a sponsor to his family-owned team. We are going to run about 10 truck races this year with our own team, said Bradberry. We’re not sure of all the ones we are going to do just yet, but we do know we are going to open the year at Mansfield Motorsports Park (in Mansfield, OH) and we know we are going to run at Charlotte (Lowe’s Motor Speedway, NC). We are just going to see how things pan out from there. After the year I had last year, it was the next logical step, added Bradberry. I’m at a point where I really need to get my name out there and I’ve done what I can in the Super Late Model ranks. The way NASCAR has structured their system, the Truck Series is where I am graduating to; I just wish we had more financial backing, a marketing partner or another car owner to help me advance my career even further. I know I can succeed if given the right opportunity. At the same time, I’m excited about getting all this going. Bradberry also plans to continue running a select number of Super Late Model shows around the Southeastern United States, including several Southern All Star events. The first SAS run will come this weekend at the Earlybird 100 at Birmingham (AL) Speedway. We’ve got a short track truck and a speedway truck right now, said Bradberry. We’ve got a great crew chief in Philip Hamilton as well. We are really going to concentrate on the truck stuff this year. We know we are going to run seven races because that is the cut off for rookie status. If we are doing pretty good, then we will run up to 10 and if we can get some sponsorship help, maybe even a few more. Bradberry and the team are still looking for sponsorship to help them in their run at the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. For inquiries, call the team at 205-678-9205 and be sure to visit charliebradberry.com for more information.(Speed51.com)(2-27-2004)
