What's Your Story...Brian Irvine

By Karl Haglund

I love IMCA Stock Cars. If one were to discuss the IMCA stock car for even a few minutes quite a few names would inevitably be brought up. One of those names would have to be Brian Irvine.

Irvine was successful his first season out as an 18 year old high school senior. He started in a hobby stock and his very first year picked up a track championship in West Union. I asked Brian if having a strong car is key to success or if there is more to it than just “money in engine.”Brian said, “You gotta have a good car, but you still have to be able to turn it.”

 Irvine has proven he can turn the car. In 2005 he was the IMCA Stock Car Shootout champion and in 2006 he was crowned IMCA Stock Car Super Nationals champ. He has 4 track championships in his 6 years of racing. Brian races IMCA for a few reasons; most importantly the level of competition he faces.
 “When you go to a show like this (Shootout) you get 70-80 cars. The Super Nationals you get 180 stock cars. You’re racin the best of the best.” Irvine added, “You beat 60-100 cars – that’s doin something.”
 Irvine grew up and went to school in Olwein, IA where he still resides today. After high school he went to Hawkeye Tech. for heating and cooling and currently works for Ken’s Electric in Olwein. It’s named after his father Ken Irvine who raced for many years himself.

 Ken has not only retired from racing, but also looks to retire from the family business as well. Brian looks to be taking that over soon.

 The boss’s salary will come in handy as Brians family expands. His wife Wendy recently gave birth to their son Blake who should be racing in about 16 years or so.

 Racing is all about the family and all about friends for team Irvine. Brian has both working on his crew. It starts with his uncle Rob Irvine who builds the WA chassis and goes through a variety of cousins and friends. His wife Wendy also helps out.

 “We like to take some vacation time and do some racing. All the friends you meet at the race track.. it’s just fun to come out and mess around with them. Hang out and have a good time.”
 Irvine went on, “It’s a way to get away. It gives you something to look forward to during the week.”
 One of the friends Brian enjoys racing is Justin Teymeyer from Independence. Brian said, “We can race door to door for 20 laps and not put a dent or a scratch on the car. We get along really well and it’s fun to race with him.”

 The biggest challenge for Irvine is figuring out what the track may do - it takes a bit of guess work. He usually can get the car really close at the shop and then just make minor adjustments at the track.
 “I’ve got it pretty good on the scales where if I got it set for something I can change it at the track and know where it’s at.”

 One of Brian’s favorite tracks is Marshalltown although he likes Boone as well all short tracks. Marshalltown is a unique problem according to Irvine.
 Brian explained. “Marshalltown is fun because the corners are 2 different corners. There is kind of a certain way to get through both of them.”

 Brian likes the Stock Car class, but might like to try out an IMCA modified one day. The only thing stopping him is the amount of money needed to be competitive in the modified class. “You need some pretty good backers to do that.”

 You can catch Brian racing at Independence and Marshalltown. He normally just races at Indy, but due to the damaged grandstands he started the year at Marshalltown. I had a great time down in the Irvine camp and I wish them all the best. If you’re at a track where they race; stop down afterwards and say hi. They’re great people. 

 Thanks Brian for the time and thank you Wendy for helping me track Brian down. Best of luck on and off the track and congrats on the recent Irvine addition.
 I can be reached at whatsyourstory@mchsi.com.