Life is certainly an answerable question, but Brian Paulus won't ever look back and think, "What if?"

Ever since he was a tot, Paulus had it in his head that one day he would become a Sprint Car Driver. Guys like Keith Kauffman, Brad Doty, Lynn Paxton and Jimmy Nace were his idols, not some longhaired rock musician. In school, he would drift off in a world all his own with the muffled sound of racing engines and dirt being flung through the air.

Others graduated and headed off to college, the military or a chosen career, but Paulus stuck to his gun and became a Sprint Car driver. Just to make sure his racing career wasn't delayed, he accelerated his last two years of high school, graduating ahead of time.

Indeed, this kid wanted to become a Spring Car driver. Indeed, he became a Sprint Car Driver.

Today, Paulus is gearing up for his fourth season with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws. It's a long way from his hometown of Mechanicsburg, PA, where kids grow up in the backdrop of Williams Grove Speedway. Dirt tracks throughout the country are his home, and the interstates have become familiar territory.

The kid, who always said he never wanted to look back and think about what he should have done, isn't. This 27-year-old is living life at its finest and learning the tricks of the trade with the best. After all, if you're going to be the best, you'd better race with the best.

"I don't want to be 65 or 70 and think "What if I didn't do something?," said Paulus. "I've always wanted to be a race car driver and I'm doing something I love. Very few people can say they've done that."

It all started when Paulus turned 16. His stepfather, Duval Dressler, formed the DP Racing Team - Dressler and Paulus - and went on to capture the 1991 KARS Limited Sprint Series rookie-of-the-year award.

"That was a good division to learn," said Paulus. "But I've always been told that you learn best in what you want to drive."

Thus the move to the Super Sprints.

Staying with the series through 1993 after racing dirt tracks in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, and New York, Dawne and Gary Pender joined in Paulus' endeavors, forming P&P Racing. After sticking around central Pennsylvania for two years, the team hit the road in 1996.

"I admire guys like Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease and others who stuck around central Pennsylvania and they make a good living at racing, but out on the road is where it's at," said Paulus. "That's where I could make the money and maybe get some notice."

It was rough, to say the least. The road has beaten and battered many drivers, and sent them home in a wary state. A year or two on the dreaded highway isn't some internship for the weak; it's one that attracts the dedicated and spits out the rest.

His rookie season was hindered by a truck fire, which after sitting out a few days, the team fixed. He was criticized for making the jump so abruptly into the World of Outlaw series. You know, the ones who don't do always try to criticize those who did.

"The criticism used to bother me," said Paulus, in an earlier interview. "But one thing I learned was that more people like me than not, plus we gained a lot of experience out there."
Five years have been completed since that rookie year. They may not have been the best - he was undoubtedly tested, to say the least - but Paulus stuck to the plan. And two years ago the team added a USAC Silver Bullet Series entry to its fold.

In perspective, last year was Paulus' best in racing. Sure, you can count his victory in the 1999 Williams Grove Speedway season opener as a career best, but it was a win without World of Outlaw sanctioning. For that matter, the decision to race at the Grove that day was made on a whim.

"I think (last) year was terrific," said Paulus. "We finished 17th in World of Outlaw points and that was after missing 12 events. If we made those shows, then we would have been up farther."

"Overall, it was great, but we still have some learning to do. When this team started in 1996, I felt like we were two years ahead of the game, but now I think we're two years behind."

Paulus ended the year with eight top-10 finishes.

Paulus was alluding to the constant change that seems to be part of his pit crew. A top-notch mechanic is just as necessary to the team's success as is the driver, and keeping a mechanic from year to year is something Paulus has not had the luxury of doing recently.

As for the USAC Silver Crown venture, it's still in the fledgling stages, but Paulus has been improving and gaining the attention of his competitors and many watchers.

Still, it's on the dirt where Paulus shines. His dedication to the World of Outlaws has turned the heads of the likes of Sammy Swindell, Mark Kinser, and Ted Johnson.

"It's such a tough and competitive series," said Paulus. "There are so many good stars in the World of Outlaws and with the increase of television, I can only see positive things coming from sticking with them."

To get a more centralized location with the series, Paulus moved the team's operation from central Pennsylvania to Dallas, Texas. Its just part of becoming a professional in the game.

"It's better for when we're touring," said Paulus. "It's easier to restock on equipment and keep the car going during the season. Plus, there are some other teams based out of that area."

Although Paulus was getting the ink well before the 2000 Amoco Knoxville Nationals, he turned the series on its side when the team debuted the Salad Car, a car that was designed to look like a bowl of mixed, fresh vegetables, which was in recognition of Verdelli Farms - a team sponsor.

"That was incredible," said Paulus. "I couldn't get over the number of people who wanted to get pictures of it or wanted T-shirts. We never thought it would have taken off like that".

Already, the team has unveiled the Salad Car 2001.

As for the future, Paulus would like to move into a pavement series, but he's content with the World of Outlaws.

"Like a lot of people, I would like to get my foot in the door and go NASCAR Busch Series racing or something like that," said Paulus. "But we'll see if that opportunity arises or not."

"You don't get too many chances in life," said Paulus. "I want to make sure this one counts."

And he'll never have to ask himself "What if?"