By Bill W
September 20, 2011 – The two-day Daniel McMillin/Jesse Hockett Memorial blasts into action this Friday and Saturday night at the Lucas Oil Speedway near Wheatland, Missouri, and Brian Brown and the FVP #21 team will be ready! Last weekend, a heat crash resulted in a long night at I-80 Speedway on Friday, before the event scheduled for Saturday was a rainout.
Things started well enough at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska last Friday. “I was looking forward to getting to I-80,” says Brian. “I didn’t draw the best of numbers and that put us starting seventh in the heat. We got a good start and got to fourth on the first lap.”
That’s when a battle with Lee Grosz turned bad. “On the second lap, I missed the bottom a little bit in one and two, and Lee was able to get underneath me,” says Brian. “He went through the middle of three and four and I went to the bottom. We got together on exit, and my right rear got into his left rear. He got into the fence and we tore it up too. I apologize again to Lee. We’ve been racing six or eight years, and we’ve never had any issues.”
That’s when the FVP #21 team went to work. “We were behind the 8-ball at that point,” says Brian. “Bryan (Sundby) and Chaddy (Cypert) did a great job of getting everything together. We had a lot of guys from other teams helping too. I’m going to forget someone, but Rick Ideus was one, along with Bryan Gossel’s team. Seth Bergman lent us a stack for the engine. Everyone pitched in.”
After the crew did their job, Brian did his by transferring to the main event after starting twelfth in the B. “We were able to get up to fourth in the B and that put us in,” says the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. “We were able to work on the car a little bit more for the feature after that.”
Starting 22nd, Brian started making his way to the front, but ended up twelfth after the race was cut short for a competitor’s crash and ensuing rainfall. “With about four laps in, we were up to fourteenth,” he says. “I got spun out there, and that put us to the back again. I was able to come back through there up to twelfth again before we had to stop the race for Taylor’s (Velasquez) crash and the rain.”
The car was working well in the feature. “I feel like we could have moved into the top ten with seven laps still to go,” says Brian. “With how the night started in the heat race, it wasn’t terrible. We’re used to running good at I-80, so it was just unfortunate the way the night went. On top of it, the rain came on Saturday. We had quite a few FVP representatives there, so not doing better for them, and not getting to race Saturday was disappointing too.”
Brian is looking forward to the weekend in Wheatland. “I’m really looking forward to going back,” he says. “The Daniel McMillin/Jesse Hockett Memorial is special to me, as it is to all of the guys that will be trying to win it. Those guys meant a lot to our region of the country and our racing.”
The last visit to Lucas Oil Speedway was memorable as Brian won from the back of the B and the back of the feature. “We had some adversity, losing our engine in the heat race,” he says. “We had to scramble from the back of the B and A to win it, so that was big. It gives us a lot of confidence heading into the race this weekend. I’ve had this one circled on the calendar since it was scheduled.
New T-shirt Designs Available!
Catch Brian at the track, or visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
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!
Brian’s Q&A
Owen Wagner asks: Last time you were at Wheatland you came from the tail to win it. Was that your biggest charge in racing?
Brian answers: Probably so. We’ve had some success on Twin Features night at Knoxville, especially on the 360 end. We started 13th or 15th one night in the 410’s and won at Knoxville.
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 won in ASCS-National action on September 30, 2006 at the Lucas Oil Speedway near Wheatland. Brian topped Sean McClelland, Randy Martin, Jesse Hockett and Aaron Berryhill to the stripe. The 57-car event was co-sanctioned with the Winged Outlaw Warriors.
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 – Housby Trucks
Brian says, “Jack, Kelly and Kevin Housby have been great to me since I was in the Casey’s car. They have provided our truck, and they do great service on trucks in the Des Moines area.”
Since 1969, Housby has been known for the quality of new and used trucks they sell and their excellent customer service. What started out primarily as a Mack Truck dealership has grown into a conglomerate of vertically integrated businesses that share synergy by bringing multiple services to their customers. Businesses include Housby Mack, Inc., Housby Mixer Group, Housby Truck Lube, Vocon Remarketing, Second Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
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, 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, 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 help!