By Bill W
November 8, 2011 – Following a first appearance at the World Finals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Brian Brown and the FVP #21 racing team take their show to the Southwest. Friday and Saturday, the Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces hosts the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series.
Last Thursday, qualifying was halted in Charlotte after the first session of time trials was followed by rain. “We drew a good number, and having never been there before, we were a little nervous,” says Brian. “There was a lot of pressure with 18,000 people, 55 cars and LIVE TV. We went out and laid down eleventh quick. We got going for the second session and we were eleventh out of 30 cars that had gone. I think we really had a shot at the top 20 for Saturday night, but it just didn’t work out with the rain.”
Friday night, Saturday qualifying saw Brian time in 48th for the finale. “We came back and redrew,” says the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. “We drew a 59, and then had some issues with our qualifying effort. That put us behind the 8-ball for Saturday. You can’t have that at a show like that.”
Meanwhile, eleventh quick for Friday meant a front row starting spot in the heat. Brian would finish fourth and head to the preliminary feature. “My motor didn’t take off as well as I would have liked, and we lost some ground to Daryn (Pittman),” he says of his heat run. “The yellow came out and we lost a spot to (Greg) Hodnett there on the double-file restart. We raced with Brooke Tatnell and ended up fourth.”
Brian would exit the main event early. “We felt good going in,” he says. “There were a lot of good cars watching the feature so we were happy to be in. It got slick with a big curb, and I got above it on the first lap. That knocked a spark plug wire off, and we were running with seven cylinders. We called it a night after that.”
Saturday was an uphill battle after the tough qualifying effort. Brian went from tenth to seventh in the heat before winning the D. “We were actually good in the heat; we just had to start so far back,” he says. “We were able to win the D, and get ready for the C. When we pushed out, the track wasn’t ready. They told us over the radio that the track wasn’t safe, and to be careful.”
The unsafe conditions proved too much and claimed a few cars including the FVP #21. “That’s not what you want to hear going into a corner at 140 mile per hour,” says Brian. “We didn’t make it past the start/finish line. Someone got together with Justin Henderson. They were taking off in water, and we got caught up in it. It knocked our nose wing off, broke a radius rod and broke a shock. That ended our weekend. We would have liked to have raced on a good track, but they had to have a good show for the A main and for TV.”
It will be a new show in Las Cruces this weekend with ASCS. “I think we had a right rear shock issue there last year,” says Brian. “Other than that, we were good. I’m looking forward to getting back there. It’s been a struggle the last month or month and a half. It’s not a time to play catch-up when you are traveling around.”
T-shirts Available!
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
Mike Ellis asks: When you see the politics in racing series, does it make you glad you run your own schedule?
Brian answers: There are politics no matter what the series is. It’s impossible to make everybody happy. It’s nice to be able to run where you want, but as an owner, it’s also nice to get a points check at the end of the year. It’s a double-edged sword. To run where you want definitely has its advantages.
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 first full year running in the 410 class at Knoxville Raceway was 2003. Brian drove Lonny Parsons’ #6 to a 7th place finish in the standings. After returning to Knoxville on a full-time basis in 2005, Brian finished 4th (2005), 2nd (5 pts. from 1st in 2006), won the championship twice (2007 and 2010), 4th in 2008 and 2nd in 2009.
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 – Engler Machine
Brian says – “Tim Engler is one of the nicest guys in this sport. When it comes to the choice on injection for our motor, I don’t see us running anything but Engler.”
All of Brian’s 410 motors and his current 360 motor have the new injection from Engler Machine & Tool. Engler Machine was started in 1980 by Tim Engler, his main line of business at that time was plastic injection molds. Over the years he has diversified very widely leaning more towards “high performance products”. He now builds fuel injection systems, custom made pulling chassis, gears, shafts, specialty CNC products, racing engines and some custom machining. Tim has been involved in tractor pulling and holds 13 national titles in that sport; he no longer pulls himself but, has been influential to the success of many other pullers through his advice and building capabilities. He races winged sprint cars when time allows this is something he truly likes and wishes he had more time to do. Visit them online at www.EnglerMachine.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!