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DavidRFuller |
Jul 25, 2007 7:27:36 PM |
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Hi Colin- what are your plans with Roush next year?
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Colin_Braun |
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The plan right now is for me to run a full schedule in the ARCA series in 2008.
I will run 3 this year at Gateway, Talladega and Chicago. I look forward to it,
think it will be fun and hope to learn a lot. |
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LeadFoot |
Jul 25, 2007 7:28:15 PM |
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When will the 1st victory come? |
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Colin_Braun |
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For this season, that's a good question. I'm hoping soon. I believe the key is
to be in contention and be in position to win one. I definitely think before the
end of the season. |
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sportscarfan17 |
Jul 25, 2007 7:29:19 PM |
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How did you get your start in racing? |
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Colin_Braun |
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Started off racing quarter midgets when I was 5 years old. Then go-karts when I
was 8. Then cars for 2 years when I turned 14 and then moved in the Rolex Sports
Cars. If you mean how I got into racing I was kind of born into the sport with
my dad being a racing engineer. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:30:21 PM |
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Any idols in racing? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I would have to say Ayrto Senna because he was so determined and motivated and
passion for the sport |
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SwimRacer |
Jul 25, 2007 7:31:01 PM |
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Any time line for getting into Cup/Busch Series |
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Colin_Braun |
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Not really a timeline. More like see how next season goes and then see how
things progress. |
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LeadFoot |
Jul 25, 2007 7:31:56 PM |
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Differences between running a 6 hr race and a 2 hr race at The Glen? |
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Colin_Braun |
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It's definitely shorter. There really aren't many. You would think that people
would be a little more laid back in a 6 hr race but in the Grand-Am Series
you're always pushing. So really it's go as fast as you can in both set ups.
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diane |
Jul 25, 2007 7:32:30 PM |
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Are you going to NASCAR because you have to buy rides in U.S. Open Wheel? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I wouldn't say that. I'm going to NASCAR because there are so many
opportunities. Unfortunately every open-wheel team I spoke to was really focused
on how much money I could bring. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:33:49 PM |
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What's it like changing teammates 3 times in 1 calendar year? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I would say that's definitely something that has tested how well I get along
with people. As a racecar driver that is something you need to do. It's really
something the entire team has had to work around. I think the whole team has
struggled adjusting but hopefully we'll put things together and have some good
finishes. |
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SwimRacer |
Jul 25, 2007 7:34:52 PM |
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Keys for success at The Glen? |
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Colin_Braun |
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With the short course the key is to have a car that is very well balanced. In
regards to having a lot of speed and down force. That is what we look at to try
and maximize our aeropush and speed. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:35:52 PM |
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If you start racing NASCAR, do you think you will still drive in some GrandAm
events, in a DP? GrandAm needs more popular drivers. It's not about the teams:
it's the drivers. |
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Colin_Braun |
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Absolutely. I built that into my contract with Roush because that is something I
want to do personally. I really love running those races. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:36:11 PM |
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Ever raced at an oval? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I have only raced on an oval in my quarter midget when I was 5 and that is about
it. |
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DavidRFuller |
Jul 25, 2007 7:36:39 PM |
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Do you do any sim racing on a computer? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I do. Not online sim racing but I have a computer program called R-Factor to
practice on tracks that I haven't been on. |
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mesavista |
Jul 25, 2007 7:37:13 PM |
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what type of racecar would you like to drive that you have never had the chance
to drive yet? |
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Colin_Braun |
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Seeing as I've driven a NEXTEL Cup car I would have to say an F1 car. I think it
would be so much fun. With all of the grip they have it would be just a blast.
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:38:40 PM |
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How did the Roush deal come about? |
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Colin_Braun |
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Basically we had Roush build engines for our DPs. When the whole tobacco issue
happened at Watkins Glen, Boris Said took my place. We became good friends and
Boris really helped me. Boris' hard work and having the Roush engines helped set
things up.. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:39:43 PM |
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Do you honestly think that anyone can beat the 99 car? I know you guys ran a
little better last weekend, but even so, they just seem like they can't be beat,
unless they have some sort of issue. Even the 10 and 01 can't catch them. |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think the 76 Krohn machine can definitely beat the 99 car. I think we have a
really good starting set up for Montreal. Since no one has been there before it
levels things a little bit. Eventually they have to have a problem or make a
mistake and someone will capitalize. Hopefully it will be us. |
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mesavista |
Jul 25, 2007 7:40:17 PM |
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Are you planning to do any NASCAR road races next year? Love to see you drive at
Watkins Glen. |
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Colin_Braun |
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There is definitely a possibility. That is something I would like to do and I am
certain it is something the Roush people would like to see. |
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SwimRacer |
Jul 25, 2007 7:41:23 PM |
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Biggest surprise about The Glen? |
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Colin_Braun |
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Good question. Biggest surprise about The Glen had to be the elevation change.
That was something I was not expecting. It's a very up and down race track,
possibly the most on the Grand-Am schedule |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:42:14 PM |
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What's the biggest challenge being a driver of 18? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think the biggest challenge is getting the respect of the people around them
and get them to believe that you have a job to do. That you have a mature
outlook on things. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:43:19 PM |
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What is your schedule like for NASCAR? ARCA in 08, Busch in 09, Cup in 10? Or do
you think you will be in Cup sooner than that? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think the plan is ARCA for 2008 and then probably doing a Busch schedule in
2009. After that I'm not sure. Roush wants to see how things progress so I don't
want to get too far ahead of myself. I have a lot to learn and if they think I'm
ready for NEXTEL Cup then I'll do it. Hopefully it will be as soon as possible. |
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LeadFoot |
Jul 25, 2007 7:44:22 PM |
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What makes you most nervous about stock cars? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think the thing I have to work on the most is just the racing with everyone
else. They're so heavy and rely on aerodynamics. They move around a lot and
allow other to pass so definitely racing with other cars. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:45:12 PM |
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How long do you want to keep running the Grand-Am Series? |
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Colin_Braun |
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With the contract with Roush I can't run a full schedule next year. So
unfortunately this is my last full season in Grand-Am. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:46:07 PM |
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What is the biggest joy of racing a DP? |
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Colin_Braun |
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For me the biggest thing I enjoy is the close racing with the other cars and the
top level drivers. It's so much fun because we respect each other and the cars
can get so close to each other. Just makes for a lot of fun racing in the
series. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:46:54 PM |
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You young enough that you could be the first to do a lot of things: youngest
Daytona 500 champion sure would be nice. Do you think about firsts, or just take
it a day at a time? |
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Colin_Braun |
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For me I don't really think of firsts. I just want to succeed at what I'm doing.
At the age that I am, everything I do tends to be a first. I really just focus
on helping my team and doing the best that I can at that moment. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:47:41 PM |
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If you are only running a part-time GrandAm schedule, will it be the same team,
or maybe another team? A fair amount of other teams could use a good number 2
driver. |
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Colin_Braun |
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Not really sure what my plans are for next year in Grand-Am. Certainly going to
do the 24 hrs of Daytona. I'm not sure what else I will be doing as I need to
focus on driving in a stock car. |
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mesavista |
Jul 25, 2007 7:48:38 PM |
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your brother is involved in racing as a journalist. how is that having him cover
your races? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think sometimes the brotherly love between the two of us comes out. It's
really good to have him be there and spend time together. I really enjoy it.
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LeadFoot |
Jul 25, 2007 7:49:01 PM |
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What race would you want to win more than anything? |
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Colin_Braun |
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Probably the Daytona 500 just because it's the biggest stock car race and I'm
moving into stock cars. |
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DavidRFuller |
Jul 25, 2007 7:49:40 PM |
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Do you think ARCA will help you enough because as we've seen before Cup teams in
that series tend to run away with most of the races. |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think ARCA will help me quite a bit because there are so many Cup development
teams. I think it will be an intense race with the 5 or 6 ARCA teams that have
Cup team backing. |
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mesavista |
Jul 25, 2007 7:50:12 PM |
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will you have to drive a Ford in Grand Am, or can you drive for another mfg?
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Colin_Braun |
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It will certainly be a Ford in Grand-Am. As I'm signed up with Roush Fenway so I
will definitely be driving a Ford. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:50:50 PM |
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What car number and sponsor will you be sporting in ARCA next year? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I believe I will be driving the 99 car and as for a sponsor I know the team is
working very hard to find a sponsor for the team. So right now I'm not sure who
the sponsor will be. |
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LeadFoot |
Jul 25, 2007 7:52:21 PM |
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Who's driver style is similar to yours? In GA and Cup? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think my current co-driver Nic Jonsson is very similar to mine in Grand-Am. As
for NEXTEL Cup, I'm not really sure. I haven't been around the drivers or the
series a lot. I'm sure my driving style will be towards Carl Edwards and the
rest of the Roush drivers as they will be teaching me. |
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mesavista |
Jul 25, 2007 7:52:51 PM |
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how was it driving at le mans |
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Colin_Braun |
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Fantastic. I really enjoyed the entire experience. It was so great do drive
there with the history. Plus the track is just amazing. |
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DavidSheets |
Jul 25, 2007 7:54:00 PM |
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Is it safe to assume you will be at ARCA's first race of the 08 season, at
Daytona? If so, you will get to drive a stock car at Daytona. I know the Daytona
ARCA race is always a wreck fest. Worried? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I'll definitely be driving at Daytona in the ARCA can in 08. Hopefully we'll be
able to qualify at the front and stay out of trouble. I'm not too worried
though. I know the Roush people will give me a good car. |
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SwimRacer |
Jul 25, 2007 7:55:00 PM |
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Which of your strengths helps you most at The Glen? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I think probably the fact that I like a car on the lose side. That way we can
have a little less aerodynamics than other teams do. This lets us be really fast
on the straight-aways and be a little loser in the turns which is what I like. |
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| ED |
Jul 25, 2007 7:55:23 PM |
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what stock car races will you do this year? |
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Colin_Braun |
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This year I w/ill do Gateway, Chicago and Talladega in the ARCA car. |
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SwimRacer |
Jul 25, 2007 7:56:24 PM |
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What will the biggest challenge be moving from a DP to a stock car? |
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Colin_Braun |
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For me it will be the racing. I think driving the actual stock car, I have good
friends like Boris Said and Max Papis that can give me great pointers but I need
experience to really race in groups. That is what I will have to work the
hardest on. |
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DavidRFuller |
Jul 25, 2007 7:56:50 PM |
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Thanks for chatting with us, Colin. |
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Colin_Braun |
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I had a great chatting with you and thank you very much. |
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| ED |
Jul 25, 2007 7:57:47 PM |
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My daughter wants to know if you have a girlfriend |
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Colin_Braun |
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Yes I do have a girlfriend. It's funny you ask that question because we were at
a water park today. Myself, my girlfriend and my brother. We got done with that
and then I came over to do this. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:58:36 PM |
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What do you do about schooling? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I was home schooled. I did 1 year of Kindergarten and then was home schooled all
the way through high school. |
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GrandAmFan |
Jul 25, 2007 7:59:07 PM |
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Do you wish you could go to college? |
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Colin_Braun |
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I would love to do to college. That is something I will look at and see how I
can fit it in with the racing schedule that I have. |
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Colin_Braun |
Jul 25, 2007 8:00:02 PM |
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Thanks for having me on. I look forward to seeing all of you at Watkins Glen.
Please swing in and say Hi when you are at the track. I really enjoyed being
here and chatting with all of you. |
