8-12-2006 - Colin interview with Star-Gazette at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN - Seventeen-year-old Colin Braun is one of the United States' up-and-coming drivers. He's been competing in the premier Daytona Prototype class of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series since 2005. In June, he became the youngest winner of a major league auto race in North America with a victory in the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Star-Gazette reporter Ron Levanduski interviewed Braun on Friday before the start of the Crown Royal 200.

Q: How did you rise so quickly, at 16, to be racing in such top levels of racing?
A: My dad raced and was an engineer on these kinds of cars, so I kind of grew up in the sport. I started racing go-carts when I was about 7 and won a lot of races. I started racing big cars, Formula Renault 1600s, when I was 14 and won the championship.

Then I got the opportunity to race the Rolex 24 at Daytona, when I was paired with two other 16-year-old drivers. Then everybody kind of noticed me and here I am with Krohn Racing.

Q: Where do you see yourself in two years?
A: Hopefully, driving some NASCAR Nextel Cup stuff. I've already had some teams contact me. At the same time, I'd like to keep all my doors open and be able to run Champ Car or IRL.

Q: What are your goals in racing?
A: To win a Nextel Cup championship, or for that matter, a championship in Champ Car and the IRL.

Q: How do you spend your time when you're not racing?
A: Mostly, I work out at home and drive a shifter cart at a go-cart track that I have at my house (in Ovalo, Texas).

Q: What music do you listen to?
A: Country music, of course. Hey, I'm from Texas. What can I say?

Q: You're surrounded by adults here. Do you make time to spend with kids your own age?
A: Not really. I'm not that great with getting along with kids my age; they just aren't as mature as the people I'm used to being with. I like hanging around adults and older people.

Q: How do you fit schooling in with your racing?
A: I did one year of kindergarten, but I've been home-schooled ever since.

Q: What was your take on the controversy in June's Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen, where your team went to court to try to overrule a tobacco legislation law that banned you from racing here that weekend?
A: I tried to stay as far away from that as possible. It was between Tracy Krohn (his team owner) and Grand Am. They wanted to get me on the track, and I can't thank my team enough. They worked as hard as they could but couldn't make it happen. It was just fantastic to have your team stand by you like that.

Q: How will you celebrate your 18th birthday next month (on Sept. 22)?
A: Probably at home, relaxing. That will be nice. I'm looking forward to that.