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Erwin trying to work his way back to IRL
06/14/2003
By Mike McClendon / Denton Record-Chronicle
Racecar driver Brandon Erwin has hit a few bumps in the road, but the Callisburg native is still behind the wheel, pushing the pedal to the floor and hoping to get his career back on track.
Erwin, who currently lives in Corinth, will compete Saturday in the Pikes Peak 100 at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado Springs, Colo. Erwin will be racing a car sponsored by Natural Golf and owned by Sam Schmidt Motorsports in the Infiniti Pro Series event.
Erwin's racing career seemed to be in the fast lane in 2001, when he competed on the Indy Racing League circuit for four races. But the sudden death of his mother and the loss of his racing sponsor forced his career into the pit - at least temporarily.
"I hit a wall," Erwin, 27, said of the struggles that forced him out of the IRL. "I had a run of bad luck, but I'm trying to climb my way back up."
Erwin received word of his mother's death while he was in Indianapolis attempting to qualify for the 2001 Indianapolis 500. Erwin traveled back to Texas to be with his family instead of completing the qualifying trials for one of racing's premier events.
Erwin had one more chance to prove himself on the IRL, but mechanical failure at the Texas Motor Speedway ended his four-race run. Without a sponsor, Erwin spent 2002 driving sprint cars on dirt tracks. He finished third in points that season in USA Sprint Cars, but it was a long way from the IRL.
"That was the only thing I could do," Erwin said of running the sprint cars. "We needed money to compete on the IRL and I didn't have a sponsor. I just focused on doing my best. That's still pretty much what I'm doing."
Since leaving the IRL, Erwin has worked at a warehouse, helped run his father's real estate agency and helped start a sports marketing firm with other members of his family.
But he never gave up his dream of becoming a star on the IRL. He purchased a test in an Indy car with Sam Schmidt Motorsports last year and performed well. When his family's marketing firm, Marketing Champions, secured a sponsorship for Erwin with Natural Golf, Sam Schmidt signed him to compete on the Infiniti Pro Series.
The Infiniti Pro Series is considered a minor league for the IRL. It's an opportunity for drivers to showcase their talents to potential sponsors. Last year's points winner on the Infiniti Pro Series, A.J. Foyt IV, is currently competing on the IRL. It's a path Erwin, who is currently third in points, wants to follow.
"The Infiniti Pro Series is a feeder series for the Indy Racing League," said Erwin. "And that's where I want to be - in the big show."
Those close to Erwin believe he has the chance to make it happen.
"I've been in this game 25 years and helped a lot of rookies get into their careers," said Erwin's sprint car crew chief Dennis Brown. "But I've never seen anyone like Brandon. I was overwhelmed with him. He's a natural and naturals are few and far between. Brandon can be as good as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart or Michael Andretti."
But last weekend, while his former competitors on the IRL were roaring around the Texas Motor Speedway track at more than 200 miles per hour, Erwin was sitting at home studying for his real estate license test, preparing for the possibility that the IRL isn't in his future.
"There are very few opportunities in life where a person has a chance to do what they really have a passion for," said Erwin's father, Mike. "That's what racing is for Brandon. It's his chance to make a living doing what he loves. I don't think he would be happy out of a race car."
"I want to stand out," added Erwin. "I want to get in the pole position and lead every single lap. I want to make racing my full-time job."
MIKE McCLENDON can be reached at 940-566-6872. His e-mail address is mmcclendon@dentonrc.com.
Online at: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/other/stories/DRC_erwin.b95828a2.html
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