By Bill W
September 4, 2012 – Brian Brown found Victory Lane at the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas on Friday night with NCRA to record his ninth win of the season. He followed it up with solid third place showings in two nights with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series at Dodge City Raceway Park. This weekend will find the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team in Grain Valley, Missouri, McCool Junction, Nebraska and Eagle, Nebraska.
Things started in Hays on Friday with a heat win from row three. “We haven’t run with NCRA much this year,” says Brian. “We were looking forward to three shows last weekend in western Kansas. It started off well with that heat win. It was as good as our car has felt in about a month.”
The Grain Valley, Missouri driver led every lap from the pole to take the win. “We were able to get out there in the lead,” says Brian. “There was a yellow about eight laps in. On the restart, Don Droud got beside us. We were able to hold the lead and win by about a straightaway. It was good to kick off the Holiday weekend with a win.”
It was on to Dodge City, Kansas Saturday. Brian would win his heat from the pole. “It seems every time we draw the front row of a heat there is someone stout beside us,” he says. “This time it was Wayne (Johnson). We were able to get in front of him, but he got beside us and kind of showed us we needed to be a little higher on the track.”
Brian drew the worst number for the feature, eighth. But he was able to race to the front with the leaders quickly. “We were able to get a good start and get to fourth pretty quick,” he says. “We were in third when the leader, Joe Wood Jr., got into an infield tire. I was able to slide in front of Jeff Swindell on the restart and lead for about a lap. He was able to get us back.”
He would checker third. “Our car was really good the first ten laps,” says Brian. “It was really too free the last 15 laps. We got passed by Logan Forler. It was good to get in the top four and get locked in. That’s what we wanted if we couldn’t get the win.”
Locked into Sunday’s finale, Brian would redraw fourth to start the main event. “I felt really good in hot laps,” he says. “We made a few changes. We knew it would lay rubber at some point in the 30 laps, we just didn’t know when. We were able to go from fourth to the lead, and I felt our car was really good.”
Once out front, Brian used the whole track. “We had a yellow and a red. (Crew chief) Chad (Morgan) was able to tell me under the red that we were looking pretty good,” he says. “Sometimes leading these races is not as fun as it sounds. I was running at a pretty good clip, and then I was searching around for a little bit.”
As it turned out, it was better to be running second. “I got into the back of Ricky Montgomery in traffic while I was on the bottom,” says Brian. “That allowed Jeff Swindell and Tony Bruce to get back by me. That one stung as much as any race the last couple of years. To be that good, and to give it away…you can’t do that. You have to win those. I didn’t do my job as a driver.”
A busy weekend lies ahead. “Chad Morgan and Chad Ely were working on the car this weekend, and they are working their butts off,” says Brian. “We’re looking forward to some extra people coming out at Grain Valley. Saturday we’re at McCool Junction, which is a track we like. Sunday we’ll be at the Nebraska Cup at Eagle Raceway. We haven’t had success there, but I think we’ve found some things with our cars the past couple months that will help us. We’re looking forward to going to Eagle this time.”
Web site info
For up to date information on Brian Brown Racing visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com
Casey’s: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brian’s Q&A
Pete Allen asks: What do you remember about your first time in a sprint car?
Brian answers: It was quite the experience. The first time was in a 360 against the World of Outlaws in Sedalia. I remember thinking how fast I was going, but I wasn’t going very fast at all. Going all those years and wondering what it would be like…to do it was really cool. I’ve been fortunate to do it for quite some time now, and make a living doing it for quite some time. I’m very lucky…the first time I will never forget.
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 at Valley Speedway with the Winged Outlaw Warriors on September 8, 2007. He moved by Jay Russell on lap two, and went on to win over Josh Fisher, Russell, Jesse Hockett and Larry Pinegar II.
About Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune-500 company (NASDAQ CASY) operating nearly 1700 convenience stores in 11 states through the Midwest. Known for its “Homemade-To-Go” pizza, sandwiches, donuts and bakery items, Casey’s strives to consistently deliver quality gas, fresh kitchen-prepared food, clean environments and friendly service at every retail location. Casey’s is currently the 12th largest c-store chain and sixth largest pizza chain in the United States.
About 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 – 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 – Peterson Fluid Systems
Brian says – “They’ve been a part of our team since 2007. We run all their fuel filters and shut-off valves. We trust them to do a good job, and they keep the particles out of the nozzles. We don’t have those issues, and they are a big part of the team.”
Peterson Fluid Systems provides a wide range of pumps, tanks, drives, filters and engine accessories. They pride themselves in their customer service. Visit them on the web at www.PetrsonFluidSys.com today!
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, 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, Engler Machine, Vortex Wings, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, AkzoNobel Sikkens, AllDayParts.com, Jack Links, Rockstar, Deli Express, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler, Racing Optics, Mothers Wax, 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 support!