From Bill W
March 11, 2013 – Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team had a successful 2013 debut with the World of Outlaws last weekend. A third place finish at Tucson highlighted a weekend that also saw a sixth place finish in Las Vegas. This weekend the team heads to California with the WoO to take on the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.
What adjustments did you have to make to the new WoO tire?
We really didn’t know what to expect getting back on Hoosiers. They changed the construction of the tires a little bit. We qualified really well on Wednesday (11th quick in Vegas). I think the real key for us right now is Charlie Garrett engines. Being on his team is like getting drafted by the Yankees. It has shown at these Outlaw shows.
You were able to win you heat as well.
We were really good in the heat…about a half second better than anybody. It seems clean air is very crucial for these Hoosier tires. Starting on the front row and getting by Wayne (Johnson) really helped us.
You were in contention early on in the feature.
Finishing fourth in the Dash put us in good position up until that point in the evening. We were chasing the leaders and Donny (Schatz) and Jason Sides had a good race for the lead. I really thought we were going to take the lead. Then the yellow came out.
It seemed that a restart hurt you a little bit.
The double-file restarts are just tough. They’ve changed the way they are doing it. It’s kind of a free-for-all now that will make or break you. We kind of held our breath for a lap before we could get going. The track was slick in spots and rough in spots. I think we were third or fourth until about fifteen to go and we lost a right front shock. That made it a handful the way the track was. To end up sixth with that happening and to almost run out of fuel at the end…we felt fortunate.
You qualified eighth quick on Thursday and held onto the final transfer in the heat (fifth).
The car acts a lot different when you are on the inside (he started third) behind cars. We didn’t get a great start and we ended up fifth.
How did the feature go?
We started fourteenth. They had a double-file restart with five or six to go and we were running tenth. We don’t run for points, so I was moving around trying to find something and we ended up fifteenth.
You got a win earlier this year in Tucson with ASCS. That must have helped you, as you were third quick there on Saturday.
It was probably the best car we’ve had in a long long time. We went out for hot laps and were under the track record. We went out to qualify and tied Daryn after coming out later. Paul McMahan came out last and cut the track off really well, so we ended up third.
You got through your heat and finished third in the Dash. You were eventually right there with leaders Joey Saldana and Daryn Pittman.
We kind of got in line there early on. Guys started moving around. I think we had one of the best cars the first ten laps. Once the other guys figured out where we were running, they got in the same line we did, and it was tough to pass.
You ended up third. There was a controversial call on a restart. Did that help?
Joey’s jump moved us up to second. Really at that point, I don’t think we had anything for Pittman. He was the class of the field. We got caught in some lapped cars and let Joey get back by.
Still, it had to feel great to finish third. (Link to Brian’s interview…http://vimeo.com/
To get on the podium with the Outlaws at any time is good, especially at a track you’re not used to. I’m really proud of the way everyone on this team is working. We were in contention two out of the three nights.
You move on to the Tulare Thunderbowl this weekend!
We weren’t great there last year. We hope to be better. I think we’re in position to be a lot better. I hope the weather cooperates with us. It will be awesome to be back with the great fans in California. Our goal is to pick up a win before we head home.
You are using this trip as a springboard for the rest of the season, aren’t you?
It really helps our program coming back home. We’ve got so much data already, that I think we’ll have a leg up on the competition around home when we get back.
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, @CaseysGenStores
Facebook Links
Brian Brown Racing – www.facebook.com/pages/Brian-
Casey’s General Stores – www.facebook.com/pages/Caseys-
FVP Racing – http://www.facebook.com/
Other Web site info
Casey’s: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brown’s Bits
Brian has already bettered his best finish in the 2012 California swing with his podium run in Tucson. Last year, his top finish in the WoO western swing was fifth at Las Vegas behind Tim Kaeding, Jason Sides, Steve Kinser and Chad Kemenah.