HOUSTON – A former NASCAR driver is revolutionizing driver’s education in Houston, giving neurodivergent students the keys to independence through a specialized driving program that’s becoming the talk of the special needs community.
Brad Coleman, who raced for Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Cup Series from 2006 to 2011, now leads SafeWay Driving, where instructors like Clyde Briggs are helping students with autism and other neurodivergent conditions master the complex task of driving.
Neurodivergence describes individuals whose brains function, learn and process information differently from what is considered typical.
This includes conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and other neurological variations.
For these individuals, tasks that others might find routine can present unique challenges, but also opportunities for innovative learning approaches.
“This gives him independence, this gives him a life,” said Michelle Heinz, whose son, Nick, is learning to drive. Nick has autism and a rare genetic syndrome, represents countless students who once thought independent driving was out of reach.
There’s no limits for Nick
Nick’s story is one of remarkable perseverance.
“Nick is the most tenacious, amazing kid I’ve ever met,” his mother shared. “He ran for general secretary of Lone Star College on the Tomball campus and won. In spite of all of his difficulties and delays, he has exceeded every single estimate.”
That determination has been a constant throughout Nick’s life.
Michelle recalls how, when Nick was younger, he refused to be limited by his challenges.
“Our other kids were water skiing, and he wanted to water ski, but he has some difficulties. Every weekend he would beg us to take a ski lesson until he finally got it, and then he even slalomed. He’s just the most determined, hard-working kid I’ve ever known.”
Driving fast & driving safe
Coleman’s path to becoming a driving school owner began during his NASCAR career.
“While I was racing in NASCAR, one of the sponsors was Nationwide Insurance,” Coleman explains. “They would ask drivers to go do a sponsor obligation at a high school, talk to teens about the dangers of distracted driving. In the process of doing that, I discovered this passion that I’m making a difference in these kids’ lives, and this is something I want to do when racing’s over.”
The transition made sense to Coleman, who even branded one of his NASCAR vehicles with the SafeWay logo after purchasing the company in 2010.
“I had a good year of a SafeWay driving branded NASCAR. Said ‘student driver’ on the back. I got made fun of by a lot of drivers, but I would always say, ‘Well, that just means I’m in front of you if you see that,’” he laughed.
The school’s success stems from its methodical approach to driver education.
“Our Safeway system works perfectly because you build a foundation that you just keep working up on every lesson,” Coleman explained. “We don’t just throw you on the freeway in lesson one. Lesson one, you’re in a parking lot. When you show that you know how to control the car, we’ll move to a neighborhood. When you get that, we’ll move to a street.”
This structured progression is particularly beneficial for neurodivergent students, who often thrive with clear, step-by-step instruction.
The program offers extended training beyond Texas’s minimum requirement of seven hours behind the wheel, allowing students up to 37 hours of instruction to master driving skills at their own pace.
Nick’s father, Mike Heinz, emphasizes the importance of timing and individualized attention.
“If we’d have done this when he was 18, he wasn’t ready,” he explained. “Nick’s like a lot of kids that are neurodiverse – he’s six or seven years behind on some things. We just had to wait until he was ready. He’s ready now.”
The one-on-one instruction proves invaluable.
“It’s a little overwhelming if he’s got to get in a car with other kids and listening to them, or them in a car with Nick,” Mike said. “Here at SafeWay, he gets in the car by himself with the instructor, he feels totally confident. Nobody’s critiquing him.”
A well known secret
The program’s reputation has spread organically through Houston’s special needs community.
“The parents in the special needs community are a very tight-knit group,” Michelle explained. “This has been an open secret for years that if you want your child to drive, you can go to SafeWay. They will have someone very kind and understanding like Clyde.”
The impact extends beyond just driving skills.
“All of our kids have anxiety,” Michelle notes. “And they are really good about keeping them calm, being kind, being supportive, and they get more than just driving skills. They give them the confidence, which is huge.”
Getting on the road
For Nick, getting his license represents more than just the ability to drive.
His mother sees it opening new opportunities.
“They’ll be able to go out with friends,” she said. “All of our kids have a harder time socially, and this definitely is going to be a huge step socially, independence-wise, confidence-wise.”
Coleman, who has expanded the program to 22 locations, sees his mission as preventing “the phone call that nobody wants.” Safety remains the program’s top priority, but the broader impact on students’ lives is unmistakable.
“They’re giving them independence. They’re giving them confidence. They’re giving them a better life,” Michelle said. “We were told Nick would never walk and talk. He’s now driving. A lot of times parents of kiddos with special needs are so afraid they’re going to get hurt. Just give them that chance.”