By Bill W
August 10, 2010 – The goal for every sprint car driver is to win the Knoxville Nationals. For Brian Brown, it is in his blood. Since he was born, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver has had his focus on winning the Knoxville Nationals. His chance for 2010 will begin when he qualifies on Thursday night.
Brian knows reaching the top of the podium won’t be easy, but he also knows that it takes complete preparation and focus leading into sprint car’s greatest event. “When you sit down in January and make your goals for the next season, the Knoxville Nationals are obviously right up there on top,” he says. “Everyone is here to see it, including your major partners.”
After making the finale in both 2007 and 2009, he is ready to take things to the podium this year. “You want to put all your ducks in a row, and put all your eggs in one basket,” says Brian. “When you have a little luck on your side and you are prepared, good things will happen. We’ve made the show a couple of times now, and we working towards being in contention to win the thing. Obviously, that’s our goal.”
Last Saturday night, Brian finished seventh in the 410 feature. With two point shows left (August 28 and September 5), he has a 90 point lead over Don Droud Jr. “We’ve just tried to be consistent the last couple weeks with two shows left for the point title,” says the 2007 410 track champ. “I think we had a fifth place car and finished seventh. A couple of bad decisions cost me a couple spots. Qualifying and the heat went well. We’re just trying to build momentum for this week.”
Brian had high hopes heading into Saturday night’s finale in the 360 Nationals after winning Thursday’s preliminary feature. He would start inside row three in the event, and felt he had a car to win his first 360 Nationals. “We got a good start and drove straight up to third,” he says. “Shane Stewart nearly put me in the fence coming off of turn four on the fifth or sixth lap, and I had to just kind of let it go. I was sure we were fast enough to get by him and win anyway.”
Unfortunately, disaster struck. “I was able to pass Dustin Selvage for third and going down the backstretch, the motor went,” says Brian. “It was one of those deals that wasn’t meant to be. We had high hopes, it just didn’t work out. The sun came up on Sunday, and now our focus is on Thursday.”
Fifty-four cars are signed up for Thursday’s qualifying night at the 50th Anniversary Goodyear Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
Autographs This Week
You may be able to find Brian around the Marion County Fairgrounds at any time, but he will be signing daily from 4-5 p.m. in the FVP tent. Come out and visit with Brian!
Win Brian’s Helmet!
FVP Race Fans! You picked the helmet Brian will wear at the Knoxville Nationals, and now you can register to win it! Visit the FVP Facebook page for complete details at http://bit.ly/2rakgn!
Follow Brian and FVP Racing on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!
The FVP marketing team has launched a Twitter page, a Facebook page, and a Youtube page (make sure to subscribe to all!) to keep up to date with Brian and FVP racing! You can become a fan and follow along by clicking on the links below:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fvpracing
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2rakgn
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fvpracing
Web site
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
New T-shirts
Brian’s new t-shirts are here! You can choose from two styles. See below! Pick one up at the Dingus Lounge T-shirt trailer East of the Main Grandstand Entrance.
Brian’s Q&A
Bill W asks: What has been your favorite Knoxville Nationals as both a fan and a driver?
Brian answers: As a fan, it was definitely 1998. It was the first year that Danny (Lasoski) won, and I was lucky to be part of the crew. That was big in my life at the time. As a driver, it was making my first Knoxville Nationals (2007). Hopefully, this year will bring a bigger memory for us.
Got a question for Brian? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put “? for Brian” in your subject line.
Brown’s Bits
After starting 10th in the B in the 2007 edition of the Knoxville Nationals, Brian drove Tim and Gina Doogs #21 to third place. He then made the local contingent proud by driving to hard charger honors (23rd to 13th) in the finale. He would make the show last year as well, but retired on the tenth lap.
FVP
FVP specializes in the battery that you need. They know it has to be tough and priced right. They have a line of high-performance batteries for SUVs, trucks, cars and other specialty vehicles that give you quality without breaking the bank. To find a dealer near you, visit them on the web at www.FVPparts.com!
SuperClean
SuperClean is the “super product” for your home, auto, outdoor and marine cleaning jobs. Whether it is grease, oil, wax, tar or dirt that you need to clean from concrete, wheels or just about anything else, SuperClean is the product for you! To learn more about SuperClean, visit www.SuperClean.com!
Splash
Whether it’s keeping your windshield clean or free of ice, protecting your RV, boat or pool from freezing in the winter, or your sidewalk safe to walk on, Splash Products from SuperClean are what you need! Click on the “Splash Products” link at www.SuperClean.com!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Maxim Chassis
Brian says, “Chuck and Karen Merrill are not only great people, but they put everything into putting the best car out on the market. I’ve always been a supporter of theirs, and with Brian Brown Racing, you’ll always see their chassis.”
Brian has been partnering with Maxim since 2003. After years of success as a car owner, Chuck Merrill started his chassis business in a rented three-bay garage in November of 1988. The first car was driven by Johnny Herrera at the Florida All Stars Sprint Week in February of 1989. By June of that year, Maxim moved into a 7,000 square foot facility. By 2001, Maxim had grown substantially producing 304 chassis that year. In 2002, Maxim moved to its present 12,500 square foot location in Springfield, Illinois. Maxim continues to offer their customers unmatched service and support, and currently has 17 quality employees, and builds over 400 chassis on an annual basis. Their world-famous “K-car” was designed for Steve Kinser, and has won ten Knoxville Nationals titles and fourteen World of Outlaws championships! To top it all, Maxim offers a warranty if you are not completely satisfied with your car. For more information on Maxim, visit www.racemaxims.com!Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Pro Shocks
Brian says – “Pro Shocks have been on my car for a long, long, time. They have some new gas shocks that we tried on Saturday, and we like them real, real well.”
Since 1983, Pro Shocks has been the world’s leader in shock technology and innovation. Using a unique blend of engineering, on track testing and technical experience, Pro Shocks stands heads above the competition in Quality and Performance. Visit them today at www.ProShocks.com!
Brian would like to thank FVP, SuperClean, Splash, Ditzfeld Transfer, Searsboro Telephone Company, www.FaxMeService.com, Housby Trucks, Maxim Racing, Champion Brands, My State Insurance Rates, Smiley’s Race Products, Impact Sign and Lighting, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Weld Wheels, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, A1 Mortgage, Rockwell Security, Paul’s Auto Body Supply, Engler Machine, Vortex Wings, Ostrich Racing Engines, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Don’s Truck Wash, Gardner Farms, Hoosier Tires, XYZ Machining, Funk for Congress, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, www.Impact4800.com and WSIB Insurance for all their help!