From Bill W, image courtesy of Robert Kocak
November 2, 2010 – With 125 sprint cars in a tough field at the Short Track Nationals last weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian Brown and the FVP #21 team knew it would be tough to come out on top. Though the Grain Valley, Missouri driver’s goal of a win didn’t materialize, he did make the 20-car cut for the finale and found himself going in with a chance at a top five run.
Brian’s quest started Friday on his qualifying night. In a heat that featured several heavy hitters he ran from sixth to third. “We felt we had the toughest heat (of nine) on Friday,” he says. “We knew we had to get after it, and we were able to go from sixth to second on the first lap. I really didn’t want to see a restart, but there was one late. I knew I wasn’t going to catch (leader) Danny (Wood) and having guys like (Jason) Sides behind me wasn’t good.”
The third place finish set him up outside row two in one of seven qualifiers. He took the lead early and went on to win it, giving him enough points to start in row two for the main event. “We were feeling good after that one,” says Brian. “The Maxim was working really well there. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
The setup wasn’t there on a track that didn’t yield much passing in the feature, and Brian fell to eighth. “We just didn’t make the right adjustments,” he says. “We were just too free. We had a prime opportunity to lock ourselves in, and we didn’t get it done.”
The brakes were still glowing red. It had started in the qualifier. “We had a bit of a brake problem,” says Brian. “Our Red Devil brakes are usually spot on, but we had a little bit of air in the line. The way the track was, you needed a lot of brake, so it was tough not to have them.”
117 cars showed up to draw for heats on Saturday’s final night. Brian had accumulated the fourth most points overall, and drew a spot outside row two for his heat. “It was a crapshoot really with double points (for the heats),” he says. “Anytime the green flag drops in that event, you have to go. We went as hard as we could, and we were able to win it.”
Brian sat on the pole of the qualifier, having earned the second-most total points going in. All that meant nothing now, as a top two finish was needed. Luckily for Brian, the track was rubber-down and yielded little passing in his win. “We started on the pole of the qualifier and we were able to win,” he says. “That was fortunate, because everything rode on that one race. Wayne (Johnson, who was high point man going in, but suffered a DNF) was ahead of me in the pay line, and there was quite a difference between what we brought home.”
The feature paid $2,300 to start, and Brian lined up inside row four. The long weekend would come to an abrupt stop, however. “We were going for the win,” he says. “On the first lap, Chad (Kemenah) had some trouble in turn one like he did in the dash. We were caught up in it, and he hit us pretty hard. We went back out, but the car wasn’t right. We pulled it in and called it a night.”
The FVP team will go forward to Las Cruces, New Mexico with ASCS in two weeks knowing they will be in contention for a win.
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
Brian’s new t-shirts are here! You can choose from two styles!
Brian’s Q&A
Earl Johnson asks: With so many cars in the field (125) this year in Little Rock, what do you think they should do, if anything, with the format?
Brian answers: Tracey, and everyone down there has taken the race and turned it into an event. I usually have an opinion on everything. The passing points are great, because they reward the drivers who want to race. There are way too many cars for this event. Ideally, you would have around 70 cars. They’ll tweak it I’m sure. The only thing I can think of, is locking in the top six in points after the heats on Saturday. What happened to Wayne (Johnson) isn’t really fair after he was the high point man. He worked hard all week and got a small amount at the pay window.
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 the Short Track Nationals, Brian has competed in 66 events in the 2010 season. He has twelve wins (18%) at six different tracks in three states, 35 top fives (53%) and 46 top tens (70%) this season.
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 – Ditzfeld Transfer
Brian says – “Ditzfeld Transfer is a family deal. Ronnie and his sons were our very first sponsor. They haul our motors, and if I would need anything hauled across the country, I would call them first.”
Ditzfeld Transfer has been with Brian since the start of his racing career, and was his first sponsor. The Sedalia based family owned trucking business has been in operation for over 45 years, and has a commitment to maintaining the highest level of service. Currently, Ditzfeld Transfer utilizes more than 50 power units and 160 trailers. To learn more about Ditzfeld Transfer, visit www.DitzfeldTransfer.com!
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!