Rose steps into Truck Series spotlight
By Troy Fletcher, Special to Turner Sports Interactive
December 31, 2001
12:20 PM EST (1720 GMT)
Great opportunities are hard to come by in the elite divisions of NASCAR. And Brian Rose isn't about to let his slip away.
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Brian Rose
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After his rookie season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2001, which consisted of only 15 races, Rose recently landed a job as the driver of the No. 4 Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing.
"I am thrilled to be with Bobby Hamilton and his truck team," said the 22-year-old Rose. "I know all of Bobby's talent and skills will only make me a better driver and this is a huge career move for me."
Although Rose is relatively new to the NCTS, he is more than ready to step into the 2002 spotlight.
"I know there is going to be more pressure and more expectations on me," he said. "But I think that is a good thing for me because I have a great crew led by crew chief Danny Rollins and I just have to focus on driving. And I really believe that we can finish in the top 10 in points and make a legitimate run for the championship with the team that we have."
A year ago, Rose drove the No. 51 Chevrolet for Ware Racing, posting an average finish of 21st place in his 15 events. His best performance was 12th at the season finale Auto Club 200 in Fontana, Calif.
"That was a good experience for me because I got a lot of seat-time in the Truck Series and it helped me get noticed by Bobby Hamilton," Rose said.
In addition to competing in the NCTS in 2001, Rose also drove Late Models at Nashville Speedway USA. In 2000, Rose was voted the "Most Popular Driver" at Nashville Speedway, in just his second year of driving Late Models.
Those are noteworthy accomplishments, especially since Rose never really envisioned himself as a racecar driver.
"All of this has been a dream come true for me," said Rose, a native of Bowling Green, Ky. "I never really thought much about cars growing up. I was always active in sports all the way through high school."
Actually, Rose didn't even start his driving career until 1997 behind the wheel of Jimmy Gross' No. 26 Goody's Dash car.
Rose has already been getting seat-time with his new team, testing at Talladega, Atlanta and Lakeland, Fla.
"Those tests went real well," said Rose. "We were able to learn a lot about the trucks, especially with aerodynamics package because we have a new body style."
Rose is optimistic all the kinks will be worked out come Feb. 15 at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.
"I definitely feel Daytona is the biggest race of the year," he said. "I know there is the rest of season after that race, but if I could pick one race to win I would, without a doubt, choose Daytona."
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