By Bill Wright
April 5, 2010 – It was another strong run for the Brian Brown Racing FVP #21 race team on Saturday at Houston Raceway Park with the ASCS-Gulf South series. Unfortunately, rain hit Beaumont, Texas to cancel Friday action, but Brian bounced back to finish third in Saturday’s contest. The event near Baylands, Texas drew quite a crowd due to some unique promotion that the Grain Valley, Missouri driver would like to see more of.
Brian was very impressed. “I’m not sure the promoters name, but he gets my vote for promoter of the year already,” he says. “It was $10 to park, and admission was free. The result was the biggest crowd I’ve raced in front of, outside of the Knoxville Nationals. This is a regular thing for that track, and apparently the least he has ever profited has been $30,000.”
Promotion tactics need to change with the times, and tracks like HRP seem to be trying new things. “A lot of promoters want to whine that nobody wants to come to the races anymore, but this guy goes out on a limb and does something nobody else will do,” says Brian. “On top of that, it has been highly successful.”
The throng, estimated at about 10,000 created some electricity for the event. “The crowd was going wild,” says Brian. “We did the autograph sessions in the crowd. It was just a fun atmosphere. To look out when it was time for hot laps and see cars a half-mile to a mile back in line waiting to get in was a great feeling. I think the lesson is, you don’t have to charge a high admission, or any really. You’re going to make it back in concessions. Empty seats don’t bring any money with them.”
On the track, Brian drew inside row three for his heat race. He would surge to a second place finish. “Chad (Morgan) and Kelby (Hopkins) had the car working good,” he says. “We were able to get up to second, and with the ASCS deal…you need to be fast right out of the box. Passing points are the key.”
The finish put Brian in the all-important redraw for the feature, which was next. “You need to get in the redraw, and we were able to do that,” he says. “Of course, we drew eight out of eight. We had our work cut out for us.”
With Jason Johnson and Gary Wright starting up front, Brian was able to dice his way forward through some good competition to land third. “We were able to get going good about halfway through,” he says. “We were side-by-side with Gary Wright for second with about three to go. We kind of got behind a lap car, and we had to fall in line. Overall, finishing third really put us back on track.”
This weekend, the FVP team returns to Lucas Oil ASCS National action with a date Friday at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas on Friday, and then tows to the I-30 Speedway near Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday. “I’m feeling good about things right now, and I think we’ll be in great shape heading into Kilgore and Little Rock,” says Brian. “The Maxim car is running good and so is the motor. I wish we could race tomorrow.”
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!
T-shirts
Catch Brian at the track for the new t-shirt, and it will also be up on the website soon!
Brian’s Q&A
Corey Jones asks: Why did you choose the number 3 when you started racing?
Brian answers: When I started, my grandpa (George Lasoski) had always been #33. Danny (Lasoski) also started in that number. I wanted to go on my own, and that’s where 3 came from. I had some success, so it worked well for me. The last couple of years I’ve thought about going back, and don’t be surprised if I do someday. #21 was Tim and Gina’s (Doogs) number and that has worked well for us too.
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 likes returning to the ¼ mile I-30 Speedway near Little Rock. His last three main event finishes there, all during Short Track Nationals competition, have resulted in podium finishes. In eight career feature starts there, he was four top fives and six top tens. His last start there was a third place finish in the 2008 STN behind Tony Bruce Jr. and Gary Wright. Tim Shaffer was fourth and Danny Lasoski fifth.
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 – Searsboro Telephone – www.FaxMeService.com
Brian says – “Don Long is an avid sprint car fan, and has been a part of the team for a couple of years now. We’re just really happy to have him here.”
Receive faxes through your e-mail when you’re away from the fax machine! Visit www.FaxMeService.com for easy sign-up options! It’s the simplicity of a fax through the convenience of e-mail. It’s easy to use, with no setup and a low fee!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Fuel-Safe Tanks
Brian says, “Since day one, we’ve run Fuel-Safe Tanks. They build the lightest, most durable, safest tanks on the market. That’s why we choose them.”
From the high banks of Daytona to the low groove at Knoxville, Laguna Seca’s corkscrew to Baja’s torturing elements Fuel Safe has provided the safest, most dependable fuel cells and accessories for championship winning teams and drivers around the world. Fuel Safe’s ongoing commitment to quality and service is number one. Our ongoing research and development pays off as we discover new and improved ways to make our products stronger, lighter and safer. At Fuel Safe we are continually striving to compliment our product line with courteous and knowledgeable customer service personnel to better serve your racing needs. Regardless of your type of racing, whether it is road, circle, off road, vintage, dirt or drag we will provide you with the best fuel cell for your application. Fuel Safe is the official fuel cell of PRI; American Sprint Car Series NW Region; O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions. Visit them on the web at www.FuelSafe.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, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, www.Impact4800.com and WSIB Insurance for all their help!