Nick Brueckner stands on the podium in the third position during his first Rok Cup USA event

It has been a successful two opening weekends in 2015 for rising American karting star Nick Brueckner. The year began in Arizona as the Orsolon Racing driver won at the opening weekend of the Rotax Challenge of the Americas at the Musselman Honda Circuit, and now leads the championship heading into February. After a brief trip back home in Texas, the young 13-year-old traveled to the Sunshine State for the inaugural event of the Cold Stone Florida Winter Tour Rok Cup USA presented by MG Tires. Homestead Karting facility, located just south of Miami, was the site of the three day event on January 16-18. Brueckner was among the contenders all weekend in the Junior Rok division, scoring a pole position and third place finish in the two rounds of competition.

The 30-driver field in Homestead featured a number of top drivers from the United States, Canada and many other countries represented. Brueckner was able to best the entire field in the opening round qualifying session on Saturday, laying down a 47.470-second lap to earn the fast time. After losing the lead on the opening lap of the Prefinal, Nick continued to shuffle backwards, eventually finishing sixth. A good couple of opening laps propelled Brueckner up to fourth early on in the 18-lap Final. The racing inside the top-five heated up during the second half of the race, with Nick fighting for every position he could. When the checkered flag waved, Nick crossed the line in the seventh position.

“This was my first weekend competing in the Junior Rok category,” stated Brueckner after his first of two weekends in Homestead. “We started out great, and fast on new tires, but we just could not find the right set-up for the racing during the first day. The Orsolon Racing crew did an amazing job getting me to the front in qualifying for the opening round, and fought strong to keep me in contention.”

Qualifying the following day for Round Two was just as intense. The track was a bit slower then the previous day, and the field’s fast times tightened up. Brueckner’s fast lap was 47.639 seconds, which put him eighth in the order but only one tenth off the pole position time. As close as the competition was up at the front, Brueckner drove a conservative Prefinal race to avoid any incidents that would take him out of contention, placing seventh with lap times comparable with the rest of the leaders. Quick on cold tires once again, Brueckner was into the top-five early on in the Final. By lap eight, Nick had secured the third spot and established enough space to cruise comfortably to the podium.

“Sunday was an improvement from the first day,” added Nick. “Landing on the podium in my first weekend in the category is a great way to start out the series. Fabio Orsolon and the entire team did a wonderful job preparing me for the weekend, and I’m looking forward to competing for the wins in Orlando.”

Before the focus turns away from Homestead, Brueckner and the entire Orsolon Racing operation returns to the facility on January 22-25 for the opening rounds of the Cold Stone Florida Winter Tour Rotax Max Challenge program. Brueckner jumps back into the Rotax-powered Tony Kart machine, looking to begin the championship chase with a strong two-round performance.

About Nicholas Brueckner:
Racing out of Hockley, Texas, Nicholas Brueckner is a name you will be hearing more throughout the karting ranks in the coming years. At 13 years of age, Nick has spent less than five years in the sport, and has racked up impressive results and experience. From winning the Micro Max class at the 2012 U.S Rotax Grand Nationals and Mini Max championship in the 2013 Florida Winter Tour, to racking up wins at home in the SKUSA Texas ProKart Challenge, Brueckner is climbing the ladder quickly. Brueckner is entering his second season in the Junior category of the sport, finishing off the 2014 season with strong results at two major international events. Nick’s talents are far from being limited to just behind the wheel, however, as he is excelling academically, earning straight-As along with showing great leadership and people skills. Supporting Nick in his racing endeavors is the Orsolon Racing, Oakley Sunglasses, Savage Design, and Rosehill Christian School.

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