Nick Brueckner drove a perfect score in the third round of the Rotax Challenge of the Americas event in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo: eKartingNews.com)

The 2015 season has been a solid start for 13-year-old Nick Brueckner. In just four weeks of racing in this short amount of time into the new year, the Orsolon Racing Tony Kart driver has notched up his best string of results in his young career. This past weekend at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas event, contested at the Phoenix Kart Racing Association facility in Glendale, Arizona, Brueckner added another victory to his win total and extended his championship lead in the Junior Max category. In total, Nick has recorded six podium results in eight races – including two victories, two runner-up, and two third-place finishes – and leads two of the three series in the point standings this winter.

Brueckner started out the PKRA weekend as one of the quick drivers during the practice day on Friday. He came 35 thousandths away from recording the fast lap in the Pre-Qualifying session as the sun began to set over the Arizona desert. As the sun continued to rise the following morning, Nick set the pace for the qualifying session to begin Round Three. On his first lap of only two circuits, Brueckner recorded the fastest lap of the 15-minute session with a 46.943-second time. He was the only driver of the 19-kart field to dip below the 47-second mark. Nick went unchallenged in the 17-lap Prefinal race, leading every circuit toward a three-second advantage at the checkered flag. That set up a perfect end to the day as Brueckner went on to pace the field all 25 laps in the Final for his second victory of the season. Posting the fast lap of the race on the 24th circuit, Brueckner completed the clean sweep on the day, earning a perfect score toward the championship chase.

“It was a perfect day, and one I will remember for a long time,” commented Brueckner. “To earn all the points I can is important in my goal to win the championship, and the Rotax Grand Finals ticket. I can’t thank enough Fabio of Orsolon Racing along with Bryn Nuttall, and of course all my family and friends for their support.”

Brueckner enjoys his second series victory with Bryn Nuttall and Fabio Orsolon (Photo: Orsolon Racing)

Qualifying on Sunday for Round Four was another opening lap focus, posting a 46.903-second lap to hold the provisional pole position. His championship rival was able to better the time a few moments later, and Nick settled for the second spot and spent the rest of the session preparing for the upcoming sessions. Starting on the outside of row one, Brueckner was shuffled back to fourth through the opening corners. Fighting his way back to third by the completion of lap one, Nick would finish in that spot to place him third on the grid for the main event. Starting on the inside row provided the quick opportunity to take over the second position when the green flag waved. Brueckner kept the pressure on the leader the entire 25-lap race, posting the quick time in the process, and finished runner-up for the second time.

“Reaching the podium four straight races is awesome,” added Nick. “Comparing my results from last year, where I never reached the podium, it is a major improvement. My confidence is high moving forward and I am really looking forward to racing for the championship next month.”

Following the four rounds at the Rotax Challenge of the Americas, Brueckner leads the Junior Max standings heading to the series finale on March 13-15 at the Simraceway Performance Karting Center in Sonoma, California. The advantage is just 20 points, with the best five of six rounds counting toward the final standings. Before Nick focuses toward the championship on the west coast, he will travel to the east for another double weekend adventure in the Sunshine State. The second stop of the Florida Winter Tour program travels to the Orlando Kart Center, with the Rok Cup USA program scheduled for February 20-22 and the Rotax Max Challenge event on February 27-March 1. Brueckner sits fifth in the Rok Junior title chase, earning one podium result in Homestead, and holds the championship lead in the Junior Max category with two top-five finishes.

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 excels academically, earning straight-As along with showing great leadership and people skills. Supporting Nick in his racing endeavors is the Orsolon Racing group, Oakley Sunglasses, Savage Design, and Rosehill Christian School.

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