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Brian Birkhofer’s fan base started as a small gathering of family and close friends.

Now, after nearly 150 career victories and 20-plus years of dirt track racing, the 37-year-old has seen his popularity soar not only in eastern Iowa but across the Midwest.

Birkhofer has his own extensive Web site, approximately 40 sponsors, a slew of merchandise for sale and a first-class garage for his operation on Highway 61 North.

“I couldn’t even begin to guess the amount of fans we have now,” said Birkhofer’s wife, Alissa, who does almost all the bookkeeping for the business. “I’ve got fans calling me at 9 o’clock in the morning wanting to know where Brian is racing or if they can get a T-shirt.

“I’ve got other people calling me at midnight saying congratulations on your win.”

The business didn’t grow overnight, but the Muscatine native – known as “Birky” and the “Muscatine Madman” – has become a household name in dirt track circles.

Birkhofer’s start in racing

David Birkhofer started racing dirt tracks in 1972, the year his son Brian was born.

As Brian grew up, he often tagged along with his father to races around Iowa and the Midwest.

“It’s what I was around my whole life,” Brian said. “All my dad did was have a real job, come home at night and work on racecars.

“So like every kid, they want to race. Once it is around you all the time and you get the opportunity, you take it.”

Brian can still recall the competitive fervor his father had behind the wheel.

“There were people who had better equipment or maybe drove a little smarter than my dad, but it was my dad and I wanted him to win,” Brian said. “My dad never left anything on the racetrack.”

Once Brian turned 12, he became more involved by helping his father with the car in the garage.

When it came time to get his license at 16, Brian had a small setback. He was forced to take driver’s education twice after “falling asleep” in the lecture portion of the class during the summer.  Months later, he was on the road.

Brian’s first race was at West Liberty Raceway – a 1/2 mile track he still calls his favorite. 

“My nickname that first year was loopy because I spun out a lot,” he said. “I was probably going too fast for my ability.”

West Liberty is where Brian earned his first victory in the pro stock class. It was also his first late model win.

In 1998, Brian put together two impressive victories in the fall – the UMP Fall Nationals in Rossburg, Ohio, and the Illinois Nationals in Springfield, Ill.

“I was driving for Billy Moyer’s (a four-time World 100 winner) dad, and it got my feet wet on what it was going to take to do it on my own,” Brian said. “It was very trying.”

Rise to the top

Birkhofer’s career blossomed in 2002. The driver compiled 19 wins that season, including a dramatic victory in Ohio at the World 100 – considered the most prestigious race of late model.

On the last lap, Birkhofer passed Scott Bloomquist – one of the circuit’s elite drivers – for his biggest win.

“I got tears in my eyes when we came across the scales, and I still haven’t been able to stop getting choked up,” Birkhofer said after that race. “It was an unbelievable night, one that you couldn’t forget.”

As a result in 2003, Birkhofer had his best year for monetary sponsorship.

“That really helped us to get on our feet and get the operation going,” Alissa said. “We got to the point where it became so demanding. The tax man said it’s no longer a hobby; it needs to become a business.

“I think before that a lot of people had heard his name, but it didn’t stick. And then when he went and passes the best of the best on the last lap, he made a name for himself.”

Competing in 60 to 75 events a year, Birkhofer continued to stockpile the wins with 12 in 2004, 11 in 2005 and 10 more in 2006.

“It’s strictly through hard work,” said Jeff Roby, Birkhofer’s crew chief. “I’m not saying anything about the other drivers, but nobody puts in more hours than Brian. He eats, breathes and sleeps it.”

Birkhofer said he logs as many, if not more hours, than he would at a “real job.” From getting his two cars prepared for that week’s race and driving anywhere from six to 10 hours to the racing venue, it’s not unusual for he and Roby to log 60 hours in a week.

“There is definitely no laziness in the shop,” Roby said. “We go at it as hard as we have to and probably do more than other people. Brian’s enthusiasm and work ethic help drive the team.”

After five straight seasons of 10 wins or more, Birkhofer recorded eight in 2007 and seven last year in 42 starts.

However, he’s putting together a strong 2009 season. So far in 30 starts, he has eight wins, 21 top-five finishes and earned more than $150,000 in prize money. He won $10,000 last weekend, claiming the top spot at the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Currently, Birkhofer is 19th in the Lucas Oil Series point standings and 26th in the World of Outlaws.

“The last couple of years I’ve regressed in the number of events we’ve entered, so I can be successful in the ones I do go to,” Birkhofer said. “The cars we’ve built have allowed us to be choosier, and show up at the events that are paying well and do well.

“The consistent part is what I’ve been proud of this year.”

Birkhofer attributes his success to the work ethic instilled by his parents and pre-race preparation.

“There’s not a lot of screwing around,” he said. “There are times to have fun, but you’ve got to be prepared. The older I get in racing, the more prepared I am all the time.”

Still, he doesn’t soak up the accolades. In fact, Birkhofer said he doesn’t visit his Web site, read the message boards or press clippings. He’s too consumed with getting his car ready for the next race and his family.

“If I was single and didn’t have kids, I would probably know more about the success I’ve had,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t like it because I’d probably be more arrogant about it at times.

“My wife and kids keep me grounded.”

Birkhofer has also changed garages this year.

After being located at Daufeldt Transport on Clay Street, Birkhofer has moved to a bigger garage approximately seven miles out of town on Highway 61. It’s allowed him to store both cars and more room to fabricate.

“I’m so thankful to Jeff (Daufeldt) for giving me that opportunity and sponsoring that building for 10 years,” Birkhofer said. “This has just made everything a little more simple.”

Leap of faith

Roby assisted in Birkhofer’s garage part-time for about five years before the 39-year-old made a career change last May. After working at Allsteel for nearly 15 years, Roby left to join Birkhofer full-time.

“He didn’t have anyone full-time and he was looking for someone,” Roby said. “I was young enough that if I didn’t try it, I’d probably always sit back and wonder, ‘What would it be like?’ I just decided to go with it.”

Birkhofer is thankful that he did.

“I knew (Jeff) cared about this stuff as much as I did,” Birkhofer said. “It’s been a good deal, and we’ve had a lot more success stem from that.”

Alissa said it has cut down on the amount of time Birkhofer is at the garage.

“There were a lot of times when he was there until 2 or 3 in the morning,” she said. “We’ve gone to races before where Brian hasn’t slept in two or three days.

“It’s a lot better now that we have someone that picks up on the knowledge, someone that Brian can trust to do what needs to be done without having to tell him or watch over him.”

Besides their time in the garage during the week, Birkhofer and Roby spend hours together driving to events and making adjustments to the car on race day.

“He’s a goof ball,” Roby said of Birkhofer. “He’s a blast to be around. He’s like a little kid, so that’s been another thing that has attracted me to what I do.

“I just enjoy working for him so much. We’re definitely close.”

Going forward

Asked how much longer he plans to drive competitively, Birkhofer said he’d like to race another eight to 10 years. Birkhofer and a couple friends built two new cars last winter.

In addition to that, Birkhofer’s two sons – Cruz (7) and Creed (4) - are starting to take an interest in the sport.

“I don’t want to mess around and run a couple times a year,” Birkhofer said. “I just want to pick some age and that’s it. If my kids are racing, I want to concentrate on that and chew their butt.”

Conversely, Alissa doesn’t believe her husband can walk away from it in eight to 10 years.

“I can see him cutting back on his schedule a little to help them, but if it’s just going to be a weekend deal, then I can see Brian’s dad helping the boys more,” she said.

“Brian is finally at the top of his game. Eight years sounds too short.”

Birkhofer facts

- Birthdate: March 14, 1972

- Family: Alissa (wife); Cruz (son, age 7); Creed (son, age 4)

- Hometown: Muscatine

- Results last six seasons

Year Starts Wins Top 5s

2009 30 8 21

2008 42 7 23

2007 57 8 18

2006 63 10 26

2005 71 11 35

2004 72 12 40

Totals 335 56 163

- Upcoming schedule

Sept. 5 — Portsmouth Raceway Park (Portsmouth, Ohio)

Sept. 6 — Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio)

Sept. 11-12 — World 100 at Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio)

Sept. 19 — I-55 Raceway (Pevely, Mo.)

Sept. 25-26 — Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, Ind.)