By Bill W
August 2, 2011 – A win with the Monster Energy™ Sprint Car Series at Spoon River Speedway near Canton, Illinois, and a strong run at the Knoxville Raceway have Brian Brown more than ready for 360 Nationals week at Knoxville. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver will do double duty Saturday night, also getting some seat time in his 410 while he pursues his first 360 Nationals title.
The high banks of the Spoon River Speedway are storied. Labeled the “mini-Eldora”, speed is everywhere. Brian found the big 3/8-mile oval to his liking on Wednesday. “We were able to go there and we were good right from the ‘get go’,” he says. “We were able to win the heat from fourth. We seem to be working well on the fast tracks.”
After winning the dash from the pole, Brian shot out to a lead and was never headed. “We rolled on the top until it laid rubber about halfway through,” he says. “We cut down the track from there, and it was kind of over at that point. It was a good track to be able to win at. The FVP #21 was working great.”
The race served as the opener for Illinois Sprint Week, and Brian followed the tour on Thursday to the Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois. “We went to Granite,” he says. “It was already pretty slick by the heat race. We got to fourth, and tried to make a move on third. I ran out of talent a bit there and hit the wall. We tore some stuff up, and by the time the B rolled around it was pretty dry and just wasn’t worth it. We called it a night and got ready for Knoxville.”
With a day to regroup, the FVP #21 team headed to Knoxville on Saturday. Brian qualified eighth after coming out 26th in the 33-car field. “We had found some things with our motor and we were anxious to get back there,” he says. “It’s not really where we wanted to be, but with Knoxville’s format, it can be the best place to be. This week, we’ll be ready to go for quick time, and see what we can do.”
The Knoxville two-time track champion had the car hitting on all cylinders in the heat. “Starting fifth, and winning the heat is what you want to do this time of year,” says Brian. “That gives you confidence heading into the Nationals, because you have to do that if you want to be up front.”
Despite a brake problem, Brian drove from seventh to third in a very competitive feature event. “We lost our brakes about six laps in, so we went the last fourteen without any brakes,” he says. “After our two previous starts, the third one went well, so I feel really good about our team right now.”
Brian will qualify Thursday night for the 360 Nationals, and is very confident heading in. “Andy, Chaddy and Levi have been working really hard in the shop all week long,” he says. “We’re making sure we’re prepared going up there. It’s not just a race; it’s a weeklong event. You can wear yourself out during the week if you are not prepared. We’ll try to put ourselves in position on Thursday to win on Saturday.”
“Pick the Paint” for the FVP #21 for the Knoxville Nationals Complete!
The fans spoke…A look at Brian’s scheme for the 410 Nationals…
Three New T-shirt Designs Available in Knoxville!
Check out the three new t-shirt designs during Southern Iowa Sprintweek. Stop by the Dingus trailer on the Fairgrounds and pick one (or two or three) up!
Follow Brian and FVP Racing on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!
The FVP marketing team has launched a Twitter page, a Facebook page (including Brian’s GoPro In-car camera videos and FVP Racing Report), 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
To purchase Brian’s new t-shirts, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
Brian’s Q&A
Bill W asks: What are your chances at winning your first 360 Nationals?
Brian answers: We ran the 360 class once at Knoxville this year and ended up with a win. I think our 360 program is as strong right now as it has ever been. With Searsboro Telephone Company on board, along with Maxim chassis, Hoosier Tires and Weld wheels…it’s a great package.
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
In only 11 competitions, Brian is third in all-time A main appearances at the 360 Nationals (10) behind Garry Lee Maier (13) and Randy Martin (12). He is third all-time in top tens (7) and tied for third in top fives (5). His best finish was third, coming in 2008.
FVP
We 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. Visit us on the web at www.FVPparts.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 are what you need! Check out our new SPLASH website at www.SPLASHWash.com!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Champion Racing Lubricants (Champion Racing 20W50 Motor Oil)
Visit Champion’s new web page at www.ChampionsUseChampion.com! Champion Racing 20W50 Motor Oil is the one that started it all by beating the competition in providing more horsepower, torque, and anti-wear additives than many of the more well known brands of racing oil. Champion Racing 20W50’s premium ZDDP anti-wear protection is among the highest in the industry. Champion’s exclusive shear stabilizer delivers better film strength and piston ring seal at peak temperatures. Champion Racing 20W50 also delivers more foot-pounds of torque with higher compression than any competitor’s brands.
Benefits include:
• Provides exceptional low coefficient of friction
• Offers film strength and viscosity stability of thicker mono-grades at higher temperatures
• Provides upper cylinder anti-wear protection
• Increases high-temp oil pressure and compression
• Formulated for flat tappet, roll over cams and bearings in turbo and super-charged racing engines
• Lowers engine temperature
• Compatible with petroleum and other synthetics
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Schoenfeld Headers
Brian says – “Doug Schoenfeld and all the guys down there have the most used product on every race car, because they’ve been the most reliable. They’ve been around a long time, and we’re proud to wear their decal and run their product.”
Founded in 1974, Schoenfeld Headers is the largest circle track header manufacturer in the world. At Schoenfeld Headers, they listen to you, the customer, understanding your needs and giving you a quality product at a fair price. Check out their catalog at www.SchoenfeldHeaders.com today!
Brian would like to thank 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, My State Insurance Rates, 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, 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, GoPro, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, and WSIB Insurance for all their he