Birkhofer to hold off the best Late Models drivers in the country, as the World of Outlaws Late Models Series will once again roll into Deer Creek
It might be easier to list the big-time dirt track races that Brian Birkhofer hasn’t won.
Birkhofer will be back at Deer Creek Speedway on Wednesday to defend his title in the biggest Late Models race in southeastern Minnesota, the Gopher 50. The 30th annual running of the charity race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s one of those races that, when you’re younger ... it’s been around a long time and a lot of big names have won it,” said Birkhofer, a two-time Gopher 50 champion. “At the end of your career, you look back and want to have your name in the record book or on a plaque for winning the races that mean something.”
Birkhofer won his first Gopher 50 in 2004, the last time it was held at Steele County Speedway in Owatonna. He is one of just six drivers to win the Gopher 50 more than once, joining Billy Moyer (5), Scott Bloomquist (3), Steve Kosiski (3), Willy Kraft (3) and Leon Plank (2).
As he did a year ago, Birkhofer will have to hold off the best Late Models drivers in the country, as the World of Outlaws Late Models Series will once again roll into Deer Creek for the $10,000-to-win show.
“We’ve been consistently in the top five,” Birkhofer said. “We’ve gone to the Show-Me for a long time. To finally win it meant a lot. But that was a month ago, and now we’re looking forward to next week.”
Birkhofer said he intends to race in the Gopher 50, then follow the Outlaws on part of their Wild West Tour, as they head to North Dakota two nights later.
“When you do something, you want to be good at it. It just took me some time to get finances in line and build up the motors and things. ... I’m proud of what we’ve done.”
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