All-American Driver Challenge (AADC) Champion, Bradley Riethmeyer, showed the patience and on track composure of a veteran during his debut race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Mansfield Motorsports Park this past Saturday. It was Riethmeyer's first step in fulfilling his lifelong dream of driving full time in NASCAR.

As if making his debut was not tense enough, the day was anything but typical as the race was delayed twice due to rain. "Actually, the rain delay helped us out because it allowed Gary (Huffman, crew chief) and I time to talk about what adjustments we needed," said Riethmeyer. "It did make for a long day though. I did not know we were going to run the eight hours at Mansfield!"

Riethmeyer ran most of the day in the top 25 after starting 29th. He maintained his lead lap position despite making three pit stops trying to massage the setup to his liking, while most of the lead trucks opted for a no pit stop strategy. After the third and final pit stop and the truck handling better underneath him, Riethmeyer raced his way into the top 20 and was running 18th until the final turn on the last lap when David Starr made contact with the rear of his truck. The contact sent Riethmeyer's truck up the banking and allowed three trucks to get by relegating him to a 22nd place finish. "In the end we had a great race, had a lot of fun and I'm glad to bring the truck home in one piece," said Riethmeyer. "The competitor in me is disappointed because I felt we could have run better. But the goal was to come here, make the race, complete every lap and finish the race. We achieved all of those and ran very competitively so the weekend was a success."

Plans are still up in the air as to the next start Riethmeyer will make in the truck series, but that does not mean he will not be racing. Riethmeyer will return to his All-American Driver Challenge USAC midget this weekend at Florence Motor Speedway in Timmonsville, SC where he was two wins and two poles in the first three races of the season in the Richard Petty Driving Experience Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series.

Riethmeyer also got an unexpected opportunity the day after the Mansfield race. AADC and Craftsman Truck owner, Tracy Trotter, invited him to watch the Indy 500 from the pits. Trotter was at the race to celebrate AJ Foyt's 50th anniversary as well as to watch John Andretti, AADC Judge and Advisory council member, make his first start in the 500 after a 12 year hiatus. When asked about his experience at the 500, Riethmeyer said, "Awesome! It was indescribable to be on the grid for the start of the 500, as if the weekend was not special enough, that put a cap on a perfect weekend!"

"I want to thank Tracy, Gary, my family and everyone at the Driver Challenge for helping make this a reality for me," said Riethmeyer. "I also want to thank Brendan Guaghan and all the guys at South Point racing for all the help they have given our team over the last couple of months."
 
The All-American Driver Challenge is a driver search and competition that is geared toward fostering the best up-and-coming talent, ages 15-23, for a future career in a professional American racing series. AADC winners will be developed for the opportunity to advance to higher levels of racing including the USAC National Midget, Silver Crown, Sprint and NASCAR Late Model Weekly Racing Series. The All-American Driver Challenge is presented by Calico Coatings and sponsored by American Racing Academy, Racingschools.com, Unique Pizza and Subs, Simpson Race Products, The Joie of Seating, Mechanix Wear, Under X, K&N Filters, Phoenix Physical Therapy & Sports Performance and endorsed by USAC. For more information on The All-American Driver Challenge visit www.allamericandriver.com.