Keith Coleman Racing (KCR), a venture based in Eddyville, Ky., announced the formation of a new competitive racing operation recenlty to run in the NASCAR Busch Series. “We’re very excited about entering the Busch Series,” said Keith Coleman, team owner and resident of Hopkinsville, Ky. “Owning my own race team has been a lifelong dream,” added the New Orleans, La. native. To lead the team, Coleman tapped long-time friend Ruben Houser as team manager. Houser has been involved with KCR from its inception. Houser served on the McDonald’s Busch Team, driven by Bill Elliott from 1982 to 1986 and also has seven years experience building and racing short track cars. He carries several large responsibilities as team manager including shop organization and making sure the team has what they need to do their job successfully. Mike Byrd, a native of Clarksville, Tenn. has been selected as crew chief. Byrd has been affiliated with NASCAR for 25 years. His impressive record includes work with Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Racing and the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). Byrd has extensive experience as both shop foreman and crew chief. He’ll be assisted by Rodney Jockisch, who has taken the position of car chief. Jockisch has nine years in NASCAR as a shock and chassis specialist and has most recently been employed with NTI. His career includes stints with Ricky Craven Motorsports and Mark III Motorsports, among others. Joining the team as a consultant is Tommy House who spent a total of 26 years as a NASCAR official. He started with NASCAR in 1969, took a nine-year hiatus in 1981 and returned to the Busch Series in 1990. From equipment checks on cars, driver helmet checks, black box inspection and driver safety, House has been a part of it all. He retired as Safety Supervisor for the NASCAR Busch Series in May of 2004. The team’s headquarters is located at 50 Industrial Park Road in Eddyville, Ky. The race team will include a pit crew and shop crew, as well as a full support staff focusing on the areas of sales, marketing, public relations, and merchandising. Less than one mile from the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway and within five miles of I-24, the location is perfect for the transporting of racecars to races at various points across the country each week. KCR will enter six to seven races in 2004 and a full schedule in 2005. A second team will race in six to ten Nextel Cup races in 2005, in addition to a full schedule on the Busch Series. Both teams will race Chevrolet Monte Carlos. An announcement concerning the major sponsor and driver for both teams will be forthcoming in the near future.(KCR PR)(8-16-2004)
