By Bill W
November 1, 2011 – Brian Brown has competed in most of the big sprint car events that are offered, but this weekend he’ll embark on the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina for the first time. He is coming off a tough Short Track Nationals in Little Rock last weekend.
Thursday rains pushed Friday qualifiers back at the I-30 Speedway near Little Rock. “You knew going into Friday that the caliber of competition was a little bit tougher vs. Thursday,” says Brian. “We had a lot of waiting around when the Thursday make-up was running. We drew well, and started outside the second row of our heat.”
A battle with fellow second row starter, Danny Lasoski, ensued. “We got rolling well, and got beside Danny a few times,” says Brian. “He did what he had to do to make his car as wide as possible. I couldn’t get by him that way, so I decided to run the top. We were able to drive back to him, but I drove it into four too hard there late trying to pass him. That threw the front over, and I lost some momentum and let Tim Crawley get by us. Fourth was not what we needed.”
The Grain Valley, Missouri driver started on the pole of his qualifier and finished second. “We got the lead and I thought we were rolling well,” he says. “We seemed to get slower as it went on. I changed my line a little bit, and later I found out we had had a half a straightaway lead. Randy Hannagan drove by me, and I have to put that on my shoulders.”
The second place finish put him up front in the B, which he won. He would line up in row eight for the preliminary feature. “We felt good going into the A after winning the B,” says Brian. “I thought we had a shot to come through there. We were up to eleventh or twelfth and got in a wreck. We went to the back, and as the race went on, we got tighter and tighter. We came in with four pounds of air in the tire and five inches of stagger. That’s not a good combination. Overall, it was a rough night. We didn’t capitalize on the opportunity in the heat race, and you need to hit the nail on the head every time out there.”
The twelfth place finish was only good enough to start on the pole of Saturday’s first C, which took four to the B. Brian ended up third. “I wasn’t worried about running the C,” he admits. “It gives you a few more laps to figure things out and make the car better for the B. The problem was, when we got to the B there were no slouches. You put any of those guys on the front of the A and they have a shot to win it.”
The tough field combined with a heavy track proved too much, and Brian’s Short Track Nationals ended thirteenth in the B. “We were able to pass two or three cars on a track that really wasn’t conducive to passing,” he says. “It is what it is. I’m disappointed in our Short Track Nationals. I thought we had the opportunity to do some things, and we didn’t.”
Disappointment turns to anticipation for the World Finals that get underway Thursday. “I’m looking forward to Charlotte,” says Brian. “I’ve never been there so I’m excited. It’s great exposure on TV for FVP and every one of our marketing partners. To be able to go there and race LIVE on TV is awesome. The qualifying is all on Thursday, so hopefully, we can get that end of it done. We’ve had good runs against the Outlaws, so there’s no reason we can’t compete.”
You can catch the event LIVE on the Speed Channel this weekend.
T-shirts Available at the BA Trailer!
For FVP #21 T-shirts, 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
James Berry asks: Do you have any racing superstitions?
Brian answers: I used to think green was bad luck until we picked up Arctic Cat as a sponsor…that’s their primary color. Nobody likes peanuts at the races, that’s a given. I don’t wear the same underwear ten nights in a row. Maybe the next time I win, I’ll start doing that.
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 win at the 2006 Lake Ozark Speedway 360 Nationals did not come easy. After Brian worked his way by Bobby Hawks for the lead, Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett came from deep in the field to battle for and take the lead. Brian came back on a late restart to make his winning pass, and won over Hockett, Hawks, Robbie Standridge and Foster Landon. The win came over a 61 car field.
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 – Maxim Racing
Brian says, “Chuck and Karen Merrill are not only great people, but they put everything into putting the best car out on the market. I’ve always been a supporter of theirs, and with Brian Brown Racing, you’ll always see their chassis.”
Brian has been partnering with Maxim since 2003. After years of success as a car owner, Chuck Merrill started his chassis business in a rented three-bay garage in November of 1988. The first car was driven by Johnny Herrera at the Florida All Stars Sprint Week in February of 1989. By June of that year, Maxim moved into a 7,000 square foot facility. By 2001, Maxim had grown substantially producing 304 chassis that year. In 2002, Maxim moved to its present 12,500 square foot location in Springfield, Illinois. Maxim continues to offer their customers unmatched service and support, and currently has 17 quality employees, and builds over 400 chassis on an annual basis. Their world-famous “K-car” was designed for Steve Kinser, and has won ten Knoxville Nationals titles and fourteen World of Outlaws championships! To top it all, Maxim offers a warranty if you are not completely satisfied with your car. For more information on Maxim, visit www.racemaxims.com!Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Paul’s Auto Body Supply
Brian says – “Paul’s Auto Body Supply out of Kansas City has been a big supporter of ours the past three or four years. They provide us with paint and painting supplies so Greg can do the painting on our cars. They are a big help.”
Paul’s Auto Body Supply is located 1331 Woodswether Road in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact them for PPG finishes, Fleet and Industrial Coatings and a complete line of auto body supplies. Contact them at 816 471-4230 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, 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!