Michael Gaier to make a run at 2006 CRA Super Series Title

After spending the first two years of his young career behind the wheel of a Michigan Modified, Michael Gaier will take an important step thus far of his career as the 17-year-old Coldwater MI pilot will get behind the wheel of a full fendered, template body car for the second year in a row.

During the 2006 season, Gaier will run a full schedule in the CRA Super Series in hopes of gaining enough experience to grab the 2006 Rookie Of the Year Award as well as the season points championship.

Gaier heads into the 2006 season, excited as ever. Many of the tracks on the 2006 Schedule Gaier has either raced at, or been to with his Dad Don Gaier, a USA Modified standout from the late 90’s. "Most of the tracks I have been to while traveling with my Dad, but there are a few tracks such as I-70 Speedway, that I have not seen, but am excited to tackle."

Gaier started racing in 1997 racing Go-Karts. Right away he was a standout on the karting scene, over a five-year career in Karts, he racked up over 40 wins, 96 top fives, and 147 top tens.

In 2001 Michael won the MPC Kart Championship, he also scored the 2001 Pepsi series Championship. Gaier’s education in Karts really started paying off, when he began his open wheel career in the Michigan Modifieds division in 2003. Michael won the Rookie of the Year award at the Spartan (MI) Speedway in Mason MI while collecting two feature wins during his freshman year, he also made on appearance at Owosso (MI) Speedway as well as the Kalamazoo (MI) Speedway.

In 2004 Gaier branched out to the Calhoun County (MI) Speedway as well as staying at Spartan for another season. The Coldwater, MI driver did not suffer a sophomore jinx as he picked up two more feature wins, this time coming at Calhoun County, as well as winning the Sportsman of the Year award at Spartan while finishing 11th in points. Overall Gaier racked up 11 top fives as well as an impressive 17 top 10s during the 2004 season.

In 2005, Gaier completed his first year in a template-bodied/crate motor late model, finishing 6^th overall in season points competing in the SuperPro series. 2005 was an up and down kind of season for the youngster, as he was getting the handle on a soft-spring big-bar car. He also ran select shows with the ASA Late Model Series at Kalamazoo, Baer Field, Springport. "2005 was a roller coaster year, that had too many twists," laughs Gaier. "I really look forward to 2006, and running a Finshline Fabricating car, Tim Curry has already been more than helpful, and the energy that the team has had over the winter, looks promising for the upcoming season."

Plans call for Gaier to make a run at the CRA Super Series Championship and the Rookie Of the Year Award title. Gaier’s Finishline Fabricating Chevrolet Monte Carlo will come into the 2006 season sponsored by Elkhart Products Corporation as well as holdover sponsors from his Modified and SuperPro days, American Copper and Brass, Oatey Corporation, NIBCO and Durapex by CPI, and FASTWAX.