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Brian Laughlin is on the Track to a Great Race Career.

Brian Laughlin in the pits at Road Atlanta.

On the podium at Road Atlanta during the ARRC(American Road Race of Champions) race after the 3 hr Endurance race. Laughlin won the race, and was explaining how the rear view mirror fell off and he was driving blind for the first 1 1/2 hours, relying heavily on his spotters to avoid another wreck.

Brian Laughlin on the Victory Lap, after the Endurance race at the ARRC.

Trophies Laughlin brought back to Oklahoma from Road Atlanta.

Laughlin and crew at ARRC. Left to right is: Eric Paden, Vonn Brockman, Aaron Ziemba, and Brian Laughlin.

Brian Laughlin with Jimmie Johnson at the 24 hour race of Daytona in January 2008, after finishing 2nd over all.

Brian Laughlin began racing when he was 18 years old and hasn't slowed down since. From a bright beginning here in Oklahoma, to school on the west coast, to a chance at a spot on the pit crew of a Roush Racing team, Laughlin has had an exciting ride that has only just begun.

At 18, Laughlin began racing on the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. Despite having no formal instruction, he placed fourth in the COMMA series championship in his first year. His future was set and he knew it wasn't going to be the typical 4 years in a college classroom that his friends were facing.

With the help of his parents, Laughlin found and attended the Mechanics Training Program at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The one year program taught not only racing mechanics, but also included 6 days worth of intensive driving instruction and a six-race series in Formula Mazda open wheel cars. Laughlin graduated in 2007 as a certified race mechanic, and finished 2nd in the Jim Russell championship. The future looked exciting, and Laughlin was to begin his new career as a jack man for David Ragan and Roush Racing. Soon, however, bad news put a halt to his plans.

Laughlin's dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Having already lost one grandparent to cancer and watching another struggle against such harsh odds, Laughlin knew he needed to be near his family. He moved back to Tulsa to be near the only thing more important than racing. Fortunately, Laughlin's dad made a full recovery.

While living in Tulsa, Laughlin began working for Bob Stallings Daytona Prototype, Rolex sports car team, out of Dallas, Texas. There, his biggest accomplishment with the professional team came in January 2008, at the 24hrs of Daytona. With drivers Jimmie Johnson, Alex Gurney, John Fogarty, and Jimmy Vasser, the team finished 2nd and Laughlin had the honor of standing on the podium at Daytona, after pit crewing for Jimmie Johnson for 24 hours.

Laughlin knew his future was in racing, but he also knew his family would always be at the center of his life. To celebrate life and family, he and his dad decided to build a race car together. They purchased a 1993 Mazda Miata and began the process of turning it into a first-rate race car.

In 2008, Laughlin raced the Local COMMA series at Hallett. He won seven out of eight races and finished first in the championship. He also competed in two SCCA races - finishing a very respectable fourth in both races.

2009 brought the opportunity for Laughlin to complete the entire SCCA schedule, and the hard work paid off. He won the Mid-Div ITA & I.T. Tour Championships, not having finished any worse then 2nd ALL YEAR! He also set the new ITA track record at Hallett - 1:29.975! The season was over, but Laughlin wasn't finished. He traveled to Georgia to the American Road Race of Champions at Road Atlanta, on Nov 6-8th. After winning the Pro I.T. race Friday, Saturday saw a DNF when Laughlin was tangled up in a wreck on lap 1 with another car and the day ended with Laughlin's car against the wall. Not willing to give up, Laughlin's team worked hard on the car all afternoon, so he could compete in the three-hour endurance race Sunday. The hard work paid off when Laughlin took first in class on Sunday and finished 7th over all out of 53 cars. Laughlin's team was the the only team from Oklahoma at the ARRC. 

When Laughlin speaks of his triumphs, he doesn't use the word "I." He says he owes everything to his family and crew. In his own words, they "go above and beyond for me, staying at the house late nights working on the car, and taking their own vacation time to travel with me." Crew members are Eric Paden, Vonn Brockman, Aaron Ziemba, and Stephanie Owens.

Laughlin's future is coming up fast. Since building the car just two years ago, he has won three championships, and has been off the podium twice. He couldn't be more excited for the 2010 season. The SCCA offers thrilling opportunities for budding race stars of any age and NeOkla is happy to be a part of Laughlin's success.