By Bill W
January 14, 2011 – Tonight’s the night for Brian Brown at the 25th Annual Chili Bowl held at Quik Trip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway. He has some experience in his corner, as he’ll partner with two-time and defending Badger midget champion, Mike Hess. Friday night qualifying will finalize the line-ups for Saturday’s championship.
On Monday, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver got to test out Hess’s Buzzard Chassis/Hawk Engine midget. “It’s the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in a midget,” says Brian. “I’ve only been able to drive one a couple of times. I’m just lucky to team up with Mike, who has so much experience and knowledge of how to do things. It’s a really great car. We’re looking forward to getting the FVP #51 up front tonight.”
Brian learned early on this week that he is not on his own. “I’ll do the best I can with Mike’s direction,” he says. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to run for someone who was in the top ten of the Chili Bowl last year. I want to thank Mike and everyone else. I’ve been made to feel like family. At times, I think Mike is working harder on my car to make me comfortable than his own. I’m really appreciative of that.”
Defending champion, Kevin Swindell, Dave Darland, Brad Loyet, Chris Windom, Cory Kruseman, Shane Cottle and fellow Knoxville competitor, Don Droud Jr., are just a few of Friday’s notables. “Other than Kevin Swindell and Dave Darland, I really haven’t looked at that too much,” says Brian. “I’m kind of like a ‘duck out of water’ at these deals. Right now, the car is way faster than I am, but we’re looking to get better every time we hit the track. We’re looking to improve ourselves rather than worry about who else may be out there.”
The 2007 and 2010 Knoxville Raceway 410 sprint car champion is adapting to the midget on the fly. “You take everything you’ve learned in a wing sprint car and throw it out the window,” he says. “Really, nothing applies here. Running the Chili Bowl would be like running the Knoxville Nationals your first time in a wing car. I just have to lean on Mike.”
Sponsorship for Brian’s entry comes from some familiar sources. “We have a lot of the same people on board that help the rest of the year…Weld Wheels, Searsboro Telephone Company, Champion Brands, Impact Sign & Lighting, Rockwell Security and the other folks involved with our sprint car. Hopefully, we can represent them well this week.”
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
Shane Miller asks: What is the biggest adjustment you make when running a midget?
Brian answers: The wing sprint car runs on the right front. The midget you are running off the right rear. It’s not the speed of the car you have to deal with, it is how it will handle. For example, getting used to the slide when you let off the gas. We’ll give it our best, and I have a good teach in Mike Hess.
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 experience in a midget is definitely limited. He drove Troy Parsons #57 in the 2003 Chili Bowl and drove the Wisconsin based Bill Ecker #57K in the 2008 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ event at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
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 – ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems
Brian says – “From day one in racing, all I have ever used has been ButlerBuilt seat systems. Brian and Jeannie Butler do a great job, and make sure their drivers are in the safest seat possible. I’d never run anything else.”
No matter the form of motorsports, ButlerBuilt’s leadership makes it the most successful seat in the industry! Winners utilizing ButlerBuilt in the last two weeks span a wide range of motorsports: Kyle Busch, Bubba Pollard, Tyler Walker, Jonathan Allard, Brady Short, Jason Sides, Josh Fisher, Shannon McQueen, Wayne Johnson, Bud Kaeding, Jessica Zemken, Lynton Jeffrey, Jason Johnson, Brooke Tatnell, Levi Jones and many more! To learn more about the Butler Advantage, visit www.ButlerBuilt.net today!
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!