Gingras, 33, A Top TBARA Rookie
Published: Jun 21, 2007
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At age 33, Brian Gingras not only seems a little old to be a rookie, but also he's nearing the stage where opportunities to advance in his racing career might be few and far between.
But that's the position in which the Winter Haven resident finds himself.
In his present racing job, he's powering his way to the Rookie of the Year championship in the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) winged sprint car class.
Using his second win to cushion his rookie points lead, now 112 points more than fellow rookie candidate D.J. Hoelzle, Gingras has made it virtually a two-man race for the top rookie honor. Driving the Craig Kugler-owned Constructive Solutions Inc. No. 99 sprinter, Flyin' Brian, as he's known, is keeping it as simple as possible.
"I have to keep ahead of D.J. every week," Gingras said via phone from his construction office Monday. "So far the wins are the difference as it seems every time I have good luck he struggles and just the opposite the next race."
Coming from a motocross background, Gingras ran Dwarf Cars, then moved to the Open Wheel Lites National Tour from 1997 until the switch this year to the high horse-powered sprints. All along the way, Gingras has known success.
"I learned quickly in the four-wheel ranks and worked hard to be the best at whatever I raced, every time out," he said.
His 2003 Florida Open Wheel Lites Championship attests to his hard work and determination, but at his age, Gingras knows he might be running out of time to go further in his career.
"I was thinking a move to USAC sprints in 2008 would be my best opportunity at this point to further my career, but there just may be hope left for us older rookies," Gingras said.
When he said that he was referring to Zephyrhills' David Reutimann, who is a Nextel Cup rookie this season at age 37.
Of course, Reutimann grew up in a racing family and started racing at a very young age; he competed in the Busch series on a limited basis since 2002 before joining the circuit full time this season and he's driven in the Craftsman Truck series since 2004.
Despite those differences, Gingras remains optimistic.
"If David can do it, why not me?" he asked.
Gingras would love it if his showing at TBARA would lead to an opportunity - even at his age - with one of NASCAR's developmental circuits.
DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY: Twenty-four trucks arrived at DeSoto Super Speedway for the 50-lap feature last weekend. Travis Roland took fast time, but Danny Anderson of Bradenton came home the winner, with Tampa's Charlie Montgomery second and Tommy Cavney of Willow Oak third. Jeff Scofield took his third All American Challenge Series win in a row, with Billy Bigley second and Pinellas Park's Robert Yoho third.
AUBURNDALE MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Mulberry's Wayne Morris captured both the Late Model feature and the Sportsman main event. Miami's Mike Powers led all 75 laps of the Pro Truck event and Casey Caudill of Daytona won the Kids Truck race.
EAST BAY STANDINGS
Limited Late Models: 1. Forest Gough 342, 2. Roger Crouse 333, 3. Bruce Harvey 318, 4. William Pugh 298 , 5. J.R. Prather Jr. 296.
Late Models: 1. David Schmauss 370, 2. Jackie Nosbisch Jr. 364, 3. Ryan Mitchell 327, 4. KD Kelley 295, 5. Josh Peacock 262.
Open Wheeled Modifieds: 1. Jeff Mathews 325, 2. Roger Crouse 297, 3. Raymond Rogers 287, 4. Dale Kelly 268, 5. Jamie Burrows 265.
4-Cyl Bombers: 1. Frank Miller 506, 2. D.B. Hogwaller 419, 3. Collin Kruse 388, 4. Kyle Eash 384, 5. Randy Tyler 316.
Outlaw 4's: 1. Chad Rose 506, 2. Shane Burrows 432, 3. Matt Hayes 415, 4. Cecil Martin 406, 5. Mavrick Varnadore 371.
