From Bill W
October 15, 2012 – It had been a few weeks since Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team had the 410 in the frame rails. They made a weekend trip to Illinois and eastern Missouri last weekend, with the highlight being a third place finish with the World of Outlaws at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri Saturday night. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver will compete this weekend at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in the 39th Annual Winternationals in Mesquite, Texas.
Friday night saw Brian compete in the MOWA season championship at the Tri-City Speedway near Granite City, Illinois. He would finish fifth in his heat after starting seventh. “We drew one of the toughest heats of the night and we drew towards the back,” he says. “We had a lot of good racers in there with Brad Loyet on the front row and Standridge on the second row. Bill Balog and Greg Wilson were also in there, so it was tough. We had a rough start and only got up to fifth. That wasn’t enough passing points for the A, so we had to go through the B, which we fortunately won.”
Starting inside row nine, Brian stormed to a fifth place finish. “We worked on the car and got it a little better for the A,” he says. “We worked our way through there and ended up in the top five. I wish we could have had a few more yellows to get closer to the front, but it just didn’t work out. Considering where we started, it was a decent night.”
Saturday it was on to Pevely with the WoO. “Going to race Friday was a huge help,” says Brian. “We hadn’t run the 410 much lately. We went out and were able to get second quick, which was key after we made it through the heat (finishing third).”
The Dash was definitely entertaining. “We started third and fell back to fourth when they had a yellow on the second lap,” says Brian. “On the double-file restart, we got a great start, but the official thought it was too much and that put us back to sixth. We got to working the top and we were able to get back up to third on the last lap.”
The finish in the Dash put Brian inside row two for the feature. “They reworked the track,” he says. “As good as we were in the Dash, I really didn’t want to see that. We really didn’t know what to do with the car. The first several laps, we just kind of maintained there. They had a caution on the tenth lap, and we were able to go from fourth to second.”
That’s when Brian would vie for the lead. “We were chasing down Lucas (Wolfe) for the lead,” he says. “We had another yellow with about fifteen or sixteen laps down. I wasn’t able to clear him there, but we got to traffic and I really thought we had the fastest car.”
The battle with Wolfe came at a price. “A red came out at that point,” says Brian. “I had been trying to save my tires the first half of the race, but when my guys checked them, I was already blistering. Lucas and I had a good race for the lead for a while, and he got me. Then Chad Kemenah went by me through the middle. I felt at that point that I had hurt my tires worse racing with Lucas there.”
That’s when Brian bounced back in the pack and back up to third at the checkers. “As soon as Chad got the lead, the yellow came out,” he says. “Those double-file restarts are a free-for-all, and I didn’t feel like I got a good one there. I was back to seventh or eighth at one point. We had a green, white, checker for the finish and I lined up sixth and was able to get up to third.”
Brian was happy with the finish. “Overall, it was an exciting race for us,” he says. “The track had changed so much. We had been up to the lead and back in the pack and back to third. We felt good that we were in contention to win, and that’s what we strive to do every time out with the Outlaws.”
In addition to the Winternationals this weekend, Brian will be participating in a special event on Thursday. “Smiley’s Racing Products, which is a really good partner for us, is having the Steve King Memorial Foundation golf tournament,” he says. “It’s always good to raise money for those folks.”
Brian is coming off a win at Devil’s Bowl in June. “Devil’s Bowl hasn’t always been my favorite, but we’ve done better there lately,” he says. “We were able to start 14th and win there earlier this summer…I’m looking forward to getting back there. I think we have a good shot to win.”
Web site info
For up to date information on Brian Brown Racing visit www.
Casey’s: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brian’s Q&A
Andy Dunlevy asks: What do you think of Knoxville’s decision to go with Hoosier tires?
Brian answers: I’m really excited about it. I’ve always been a big fan of Hoosier Tires. I think the biggest thing I’m looking for as a car owner is figuring out a way that we can all be on the 16” wide right rear tire on a D12. In a dream world, I’d be able to go to Williams Grove on Friday, Knoxville on Saturday and Devil’s Bowl on Sunday and run the same tire compound and construction all three nights. I think that’s what the majority wants, and I think ultimately that’s what we are all aiming for. Hopefully, the Outlaws and everyone else can sit down and find out what is best for sprint car racing.
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 in June at Devil’s Bowl Speedway was his first ever at the famous ½-mile oval. Brian took the lead on lap 29 of 30 over Danny Lasoski. Wayne Johnson finished second, ahead of Tony Bruce Jr., Matt Covington and Jason Johnson.
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 – Arctic Cat
For over 40 years, World Class Snowmobiles™ have been wearing the Arctic Cat name. Arctic Cat is equally proud to make Arctic Cat ATVs, too. They represent dedication and commitment to advanced manufacturing techniques, engineering innovation and industry leadership. Arctic Cat Inc., based in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) under the Arctic Cat brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. The Company markets its products through a network of independent dealers located throughout the contiguous United States and Canada, and through distributors representing dealers in Alaska, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile and ATV industry.
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, Tru Square, 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!