By Bill W
March 12, 2012 – Brian Brown notched a fifth place finish with the World of Outlaws last Thursday night in Las Vegas, but he did it the hard way after qualifying 22nd in the 26-car field. A 12th place finish followed Saturday night at the Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, California, capping a solid weekend for the Brian Brown Racing Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team.
The Grain Valley, Missouri driver put himself in a tough position after timing in 22nd at Vegas. “The qualifying piece is very important with the Outlaws, and you have some control over your destiny there,” says Brian. “I think maybe I was trying a little too hard on Thursday. I got over the cushion on both laps, and it wasn’t good. We knew we had our work cut out for us at that point.”
Starting deep in his heat, Brian grabbed a transfer. “We were able to go from 8th to 4th, and we had an issue with the motor coming to the checkers,” he says. “After the heat, we went ahead and changed it. Andy (Anderson) and Chad (Morgan) did a heck of a job with that.”
Things continued to click after the motor change. Starting in row twelve, Brian shot forward through the stout field. “We’re trying to get better every time we hit the track, and I think that’s showing,” he says. “We were able to go from 23rd up to 5th. The double-file restarts make you or break you, and our car was really good on the starts.”
The restarts proved to be the key in moving forward. “We were able to pass two or three cars on the restarts,” says Brian. “On the last one, with two or three laps to go, I was able to go from 7th to 3rd. A couple guys got by me and the yellow came out. They said I got out of line, so I had to go back to 7th. We were able to still get fifth. It would have been nice to restart third.”
It was a rewarding finish. “We weren’t happy with our performance in Arizona (with ASCS),” says Brian. “The guys worked really hard to get things going and it showed. To get a top five with the Outlaws this early in the season is always good.”
Saturday night at Perris, Brian redeemed himself with a time trial that registered 11th quick and a heat win. “We went out to qualify, and I hadn’t been there since 2004 the night after I broke my shoulder,” he says. “I didn’t remember much from that. We were able to lay a good lap down. It’s a good spot to put yourself because you are up front in the heat. We were able to win that pretty easily.”
Starting in row five of the dash, Brian charged forward, but ran into some difficulties. “We felt good going into the Dash,” he says. “We tried some things to make ourselves better, and actually went the wrong way with it. We got to sixth on the start, but we got to racing someone and got over the cushion.”
Back to a setup similar to the heat race, Brian battled in the main event, and ended up twelfth. “We went back with the way we were going before the dash,” he says. “We were anywhere from 7th to 15th throughout the feature. The restarts seemed to hurt us at Perris. It just didn’t work out for us. It was a good top twelve finish with some good laps and good competition. That’s what it’s all about this time of year.”
This weekend, the World of Outlaws travel to the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California on Friday and Saturday. “I was there with Danny (Lasoski) and Beef Packers in 1998, but I don’t remember a lot. Normally, our cars haven’t been comfortable on bullrings, but the way our car is now, I’m as comfortable as I’ve ever been. If we get better on the short tracks, we say we can get five more wins a year.”
Web site info
For up to date information on Brian Brown Racing visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com
Casey’s: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brian’s Q&A
Roy Hairston asks: After two nights with the Outlaws, is there a difference in the Goodyear tire this year?
Brian answers: A lot of guys have said that, but we’ve gone about business as usual. We’ve been prepping them the same way. I feel that it is all what you make of it. Some prejudge them. If you listen to five guys, they’ll tell you five different things. As a team, we just do what we do, and let the tire and the car tell us what needs to be done. I really don’t see too much of a change between last year and this year. It seems Goodyear is doing a better job, which is a good sign.
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
Brian’s finish at Perris bested his first attempt with the Outlaws there in 2004, when he had suffered a broken shoulder in the race before at Manzanita. Driving for Lonnie Parsons #6 Casey’s team, he qualified ninth and transferred through his heat. However, he dropped out of the main event and was scored 18th.
About Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune-500 company (NASDAQ CASY) operating nearly 1700 convenience stores in 11 states through the Midwest. Known for its “Homemade-To-Go” pizza, sandwiches, donuts and bakery items, Casey’s strives to consistently deliver quality gas, fresh kitchen-prepared food, clean environments and friendly service at every retail location. Casey’s is currently the 12th largest c-store chain and sixth largest pizza chain in the United States.
About FVP
We are very excited to introduce our new line of automotive chemicals, oils and fluids to our product offering. These new products will be available at many retailers across the country. We continue to offer a full line of high quality oil, air, cabin air and fuel filters, plus a complete line of high quality batteries for multiple applications including cars, trucks, SUV’s, commercial and other specialty vehicles. All products are made to OE manufacturer fitment specifications. FVP products are engineered to provide our customers with quality products that are equal or superior in performance to the major national brands at a competitive price. To learn more about our FVP products or to find out where you can have FVP products installed in your vehicle, visit us at www.FVPparts.com! FVP…The Confident Solution
SPLASH
In addition to our line of seasonal safety products, we are very excited to introduce a full line of SPLASH Wiper Blades. Our SafeView Performance Blades fit 95% of the vehicles on the road with quick and easy installation for everyone. The AccuVision Beam Blade offers memory curve steel, which provides uniform pressure for a clear wipe, without the streaks. Look for these great new SPLASH products! 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 are what you need! Check out our new SPLASH website at www.SPLASHWash.com! SPLASH…SEE SAFELY!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com
Brian says – “David and Julie Goodson have a great family there. They also make sure our FVP #21 and our trailer looks great with the graphics they provide. We’re proud to represent them.”
The goal at Impact Sign and Lighting is to make selecting the right sign and lighting for your business a simple process for you. Impact can design, create, and install virtually any type of sign on awnings, poles, buildings and much more including racecars, of course! They will work with you from conception to completion and make sure you are completely satisfied. We’ll give you personalized service, expert consultation, quick turnarounds, and reasonable pricing. Impact Sign and Lighting are responsible for the graphics on the SuperClean #21. Visit them on the web at www.Impact4800.com!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Arctic Cat
For over 40 years, World Class Snowmobiles™ have been wearing the Arctic Cat name. Arctic Cat is equally proud to make Arctic Cat ATVs, too. They represent dedication and commitment to advanced manufacturing techniques, engineering innovation and industry leadership. Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. The Company markets its products through a network of independent dealers located throughout the contiguous United States and Canada, and through distributors representing dealers in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile and ATV industry.
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, FVP, Searsboro Telephone Company, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, SPLASH, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, www.RateWin.com, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, Engler Machine, Vortex Wings, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, AkzoNobel Sikkens, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler, Racing Optics, Don’s Truck Wash, Gardner Farms, Hoosier Tires, GoPro, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, and WSIB Insurance for all their support!