Submitted photo Carson City accountant Brian Colodny stands in his speedtruck racing gear.
Brian Colodny spends his days meticulously balancing the accounting books of clients all over the West Coast. On the weekend, he's flying around the turns in his speedtruck, possibly seen by cable TV viewers on the Speed Channel.
The 48-year-old father of two said he races because he loves the speed.
"It's intense. If you're going down a straight-away at 140 mph and you make a left turn, that's really intense. Try that on a city street."
Colodny said he better understands his clients who manufacture race car parts because he races.
He's 13th in points so far out of 29 other racers in the American Speed Association Speedtruck Challenge Series. His 2005 Dodge Dakota truck, emblazoned with "No. 27," is sponsored by Rupert's Auto Body and Irwin Union Bank.
Colodny first got involved in the sport in 1991, when he raced at Champion Speedway in Carson City. He also raced at All-American Speedway in Roseville and Shasta Speedway, both in California.
He bought a $350 used car from a lot off Highway 50 and drove it up to the track, with no experience. His sons both race, and he said his wife loves the sport.
Colodny spent three years racing in the American Stock Car Challenge before joining the American Speed Association Speedtruck Challenge Series.
The racing trucks have a shorter wheel base than stock cars. They're smaller and "more responsive in handling." The cost of maintenance per year depends on how many crashes Colodny gets into.
There's another reason why he chose trucks: The races may be televised.
A couple times a month, Colodny races at tracks in Southern California, Las Vegas and Arizona. Since he first turned the key of his first race car 15 years ago, he's been in about 210 races.
Sometimes, he wins. Those wins come "when there's harmony in the car, driver and equipment. And a little bit of luck."
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.