The team in Victory Lane at I-80 Speedway (Brandon Anderson Photos)
(Bill W) April 6, 2015 – It had been a while since Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 had tasted victory at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver made up for that last Friday and Saturday night, however, with a pair of feature wins at the “Spring Meltdown”. The team is earnestly preparing for this Saturday night’s National Sprint League opener at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.
What were your thoughts heading into I-80?
I-80 is in the top two or three favorite tracks that I have. We’ve been able to have a lot of success there, but recently, not so much. We tried to really work hard last week to give ourselves a car capable of winning.
Things started well for you in the heat on Friday.
We were able to draw the outside of row one, and go on to the win the heat. That put us in the redraw, and it was a good way to start our Midwest campaign.
You drew an eight to start the feature outside of row four.
We knew we were going to have our hands full. The track was slick in spots and rough in spots. It was challenging from a driver’s perspective. In the 25-lap feature, the car changed three or four times on where it was working best. We had a really good start and went from eighth to second in two laps.
What was your strategy once you got to second?
(Leader) Jon Agan was setting a really good pace. We tried to settle in there and get some laps. We were trying to find out as much about the car as we could. We moved around a little, and in traffic, we were able to get beside him. We were able to find something in the middle of one and two to sneak by him.
You were able to finish off the win.
The yellow came out with five laps to go. We were able to make five good laps and get the win. There were forty good cars there, and our Charlie Garrett engine and Maxim chassis were working well all weekend long.
How was the track different for Saturday’s finale?
We unloaded Saturday and the track was the polar opposite of Friday. It was really slick. We knew it would be difficult to get a hold of. We went out for the heat, and Dusty Zomer was able to get going out front. We weren’t the best, and I did my best to crash the car. I knocked the Jacob’s ladder off. Luckily, we were able to finish second, but we weren’t good at all.
Sounds like you had your work cut out for you before the feature.
The track laid rubber in the B, but the modifieds and late models went out and knocked some of it off. We made kind of a crucial mistake in not tightening up our car enough. It almost bit us.
You redrew outside of the front row. It seems that would be a good place to start with the way to track was.
We were able to get the lead, but we were trying to save our tires as best we could. Danny (Lasoski) got a good run there and drove by us at one point. We got lucky that the yellow came out and saved us there. It caused us to search around a little bit more, and we found a little bit more in the car, and I found a little bit more in myself too.
You were able to fend him off at the checkers.
I was able to hold him off there on the last lap. He actually drove by us in the middle of the corner, but we were able to get back by for the checkers. His car was better than ours at that point. To start the season with two wins in the Midwest really helps the confidence going into this weekend.
I know you’re looking forward to the NSL opener this weekend at a track you picked a win up last fall at.
The NSL is something we’ve needed for a long time, and Tod Quiring and his crew have done a great job in a short period of time. I can guarantee you one thing. Nothing is going to be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination! I’m guessing we’ll be in the 40-45 car range there with 15-20 having a good shot at winning. When you drop your tailgate on Saturday night, you better be ready for a battle!
Are you looking forward to the NSL season?
I’m looking forward to the challenge, and racing against the caliber of cars we’ll be racing against. There’s probably eight or ten guys that have a shot at that championship. It’s the first time we’ve run for points in a long, long time.
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-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
Brown’s Bits
Brian won the MOWA show at 34 Raceway last September. The win came over Joey Moughan, Jerrod Hull, AJ Bruns and Ben Wagoner.
15% off of Enco Tools Purchase!
Receive 15% off of your order with Enco Tools! Just go to www.UseEnco.com and use the coupon code “BBR21”!
About Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune-500 company (NASDAQ CASY) operating over 1,850 convenience stores in 14 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 5th largest c-store chain and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States.
About FVP
Built on a commitment to quality and delivered with unmatched service, FVP is the confident solution for all of your OEM needs. FVP products are engineered to provide customers with OE quality products that are equal or superior in performance to the major national brands at a competitive price. FVP is proud to carry a full line of high quality oil, air, cabin air and fuel filters, powerful batteries for multiple applications including cars, trucks, SUV’s, commercial, boats and other specialty vehicles as well as automotive chemicals and oil, antifreeze, DEF, hub assemblies, radiators and condensers. To learn more about FVP or to find out where you can have FVP products installed in your vehicle, visit FVPparts.com! FVP…The Confident Solution.
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 – Ti64
Whether motorsports, sailing, or biking, Ti64 has performance fasteners and components to meet and Exceed Your Speed Dreams. They strive to create the best possible products at the best possible prices. They believe in their products and use them in their personal vehicles. With over 40 years of combined engineering expertise, they put their heart and soul into everything they do. Browse their site, compare their prices, place an order, and enter the age of Ti64. Visit them on the web at www.Ti64.com!
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, FVP, Print Place, Searsboro Telephone Company, MC Power, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Enco Tools, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, Pro Shocks by Schure Built Suspension, Arctic Cat, Lincoln Electric, K&N, www.hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Bell Helmets, Hinchman Uniforms, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, Vortex Wings, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, AkzoNobel, Kenny's Components, www.AllDayParts.com, Tru Square, Jack Links, Deli Express, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance, Cometic Gaskets, Shell Shock, Donovan, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Racing Optics, Mothers Wax, Hoosier Tires, Klein RV, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, 6B Apparel, Bosch, Garrett Racing Engines, MSD, Moyle Racing Engines, Fortress Wealth Management, Legacy and Flexzilla for all their support!
Photo: The team in Victory Lane at I-80 Speedway (Brandon Anderson Photos)
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
Twitter: @BillWMedia
e-mail: sprntcar@hotmail.com