By Bill W
November 19, 2012 – Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team put a nice cap on a successful 2013 race season with a runner-up finish at last weekend’s Western World. The event was held at Canyon Speedway Park near Peoria, Arizona and was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver finished second in both Friday’s prelim and Saturday’s finale.
The event has always been one of the biggest in sprint car racing. “The Western World has always been one of the bigger races along with the Knoxville Nationals, the King’s Royal, the National Open and the Gold Cup,” says Brian. “Everyone always knows who won it, and it’s always a big paying race. To have FVP be a presenting sponsor and to have about 100 employees and customers there…we wanted to do well. They are a great supporter of short track racing.”
Brian won his heat from the pole on Friday. “The draw hasn’t been the greatest for us, but it went well there,” he says. “We were able to beat Gary Wright to the first corner and start out on the right foot.”
He would start third in his Qualifier. “We went to first on the first start, and the second one was called back too,” says Brian. “They put the pole-sitter behind me, and we were able to start on the front row with Jason Johnson. Winning the Qualifier put us on the pole of the A, so we really had no complaints about that.”
Things went well early. “We led the first nineteen laps and had a really good car,” says Brian. “I felt like the bottom was getting worse as the race went on, and I thought I heard Jason out of the corner of my ear. I decided to move to the top, and when I did, he drove by me on the bottom. We just got beat.”
He would checker second. “The car just wasn’t as good late in the race,” says Brian. “It was kind of par for the course. I think we have sixteen or seventeen second place finishes this year. We were able to get locked in, which was crucial.”
Brian would draw a starting spot outside row two for Saturday’s finale. “We were able to concentrate on our car and the racetrack,” he says. “We got to third pretty quickly. It started laying rubber about four or five laps in. I just kind of got into line, and Jason and Brady (Bacon) were racing really hard up front. I felt at that point with the smoke coming off their tires there was no way they were going to make it. I chose to be conservative.”
Maybe he was a bit too conservative. “I was saving the tires, following a lapped car,” says Brian. “About that time, Wayne Johnson shot by us and changed our mindset. I picked up the pace a little bit and got back up on Wayne. Jason blew his tire, then Brady. Maybe if I would have pushed a little bit, I would have won, but maybe I would have blown my tire too. You just never know.”
He would finish second to Wayne. “Finishing the year with two second place finishes really capped off a good season for us,” says Brian. “I wouldn’t say it was great, but we had some successes. We’ll be able to build off them and make things better this summer.”
Follow Brian on the Web, Twitter and Facebook!
Follow Brian at his website located at www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
Also keep up with FVP, Casey’s and Brian on Facebook and Twitter at the following links…
Twitter Links – @BrianBrown21, @FVPRacing
Facebook Links
Brian Brown Racing – www.facebook.com/pages/Brian-Brown-Racing/200630163294222
Casey’s General Stores – www.facebook.com/pages/Caseys-General-Stores/112073528804354
FVP Racing – http://www.facebook.com/FVPRacing?ref=ts&fref=ts
Other Web site info
Casey’s: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brian’s Q&A
Charles Shaffer asks: Are you glad the elections are over?
Brian answers: You’d be surprised, but I don’t get too much into politics. I kind of save that for the racetrack. I am glad it’s over though. We can get back to our regular programming and we can get the commercials off. I feel we still have to pay taxes and we’ll still have healthcare problems, but the world will keep spinning.
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 competed in 62 feature events in 2008. He finished with nine wins (15%), 34 top fives (55%), and 46 top tens (74%). His success was weighted more on the 360 side where he competed in 36 features, won eight (22%), had 25 top fives (69%) and 29 top tens (81%). Prominent wins included the inaugural Cowtown Nationals in Kennedale, Texas, a Friday night win at the Knoxville Nationals, the Bob Ramey Memorial and Michael Ross Foundation races at Sedalia, Missouri, and series finale races for the NCRA, Sprint Invaders and Winged Outlaw Warriors.
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 – Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com
Brian says – “David and Julie Goodson have a great family there. They also make sure our trailer looks great with the graphics they provide. We’re proud to represent them.”
The goal at Impact Sign and Lighting is to make selecting the right sign and lighting for your business a simple process for you. Impact can design, create, and install virtually any type of sign on awnings, poles, buildings and much more including racecars, of course! They will work with you from conception to completion and make sure you are completely satisfied. We’ll give you personalized service, expert consultation, quick turnarounds, and reasonable pricing. Impact Sign and Lighting are responsible for the graphics on the Brian Brown Racing #21. Visit them on the web at www.Impact4800.com!
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 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!