(Bill W) March 7, 2015 – A near miss at a win, a top five and a top ten made for a solid first weekend with the World of Outlaws for Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team. Last Thursday, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver led most of the feature in Las Vegas before contacting an infield tire ended his night. He followed that up with a fourth place run in the finale. He would finish tenth Sunday at a new track for him, Arizona Speedway near Queen’s Creek. FVP was a sponsor for the weekend’s action as well.
You were fourth and third quick in Las Vegas, and you set the new track record with quick time Sunday at Arizona Speedway.
Things went somehow how we drew it up. We went in and qualified well each night. I can’t remember a time we’ve been quick time with the Outlaws to be honest. Charlie Garrett has done a phenomenal job all winter long to get our engines running better than ever. As a team, over the winter, we kind of put our heads together to try to come with some ideas to qualify better. To have those things work out for us so far is great.
…and the Outlaws are starting their heats heads-up in relation to qualifying this year.
With the new format, it’s even more critical to qualify well. You want to start up front in the heat. We were able to win our heat Thursday and the pill draw for the Dash saw us start third in that. We were able to drive by Joey (Saldana) and Brad Sweet to win that. Really, we were full of confidence going into the A.
You were the class of the field from the start of Thursday’s feature.
We got a really good start and we were able to lead there. We had a few yellows and we were able to pull away. We had a good car all night long. Coming to the end there, the track got right around the bottom, and it was going to be tough to pass unless someone made a mistake. We were the ones to make a mistake. I got into the infield tire. I’m not a fan of those for a lot of reasons, and this didn’t help that.
You broke your front axle and that was it.
It was unfortunate. It was disappointing not only for FVP, who had customers and employees there, but for Casey’s and all our partners. Chad (Morgan), Wyatt (Burks) and Michael (Williams) did a phenomenal job to get in position there. They worked their tails off all winter long. You hate losing them like that, but it probably won’t be the last time in my career that happens.
You bounced back on Friday. After timing in third quick you were back on the pole of a heat.
We were able to win the heat. We didn’t feel we were as good as we had been Thursday. We were searching a little bit and we tried some things in the Dash that didn’t work. We went from fourth back to sixth. We were able to get by another car and got back to fifth.
You ran strong again in Friday’s feature.
We were able to get a good start and got up to third. We were riding there with Brad leading and Joey running second. We were biding our time there and taking care of the tires. We had a double-file restart there, and Donny (Schatz) was able to get by us. At that point, we pushed the issue a little bit, but we weren’t quite good enough to challenge for the win. We ended up fourth. To come out of the first weekend with a chance to win and a top five showed a testament to our entire team and how hard they’ve worked.
You set the track record Sunday at Queen’s Creek, but ended up fourth in the heat.
I didn’t get going like I felt I should have. Brad and I kind of drag-raced to start it and he had me kind of pinned down. I couldn’t make my arc like I wanted. He did his job and I didn’t do mine. We came off of two in fourth and that’s how we finished. It was a bummer, but it shows you how tough running with the Outlaws can be.
You started outside row five for the feature.
We were able to run up to about seventh. We tried to make something happen on a double-file restart, and fell back to tenth. That’s kind of where we finished.
You have to be excited about the speed the team showed in its first weekend with the Outlaws this year.
Overall, as an owner, I’m really proud of the weekend. With a chance to win, a top five and a top ten…I think this is the best start we’ve had with the Outlaws. I’m really looking forward to racing at Tulare and Stockton.
The Tulare Thunderbowl bullring awaits this Friday and Saturday.
We’ve run really well at Tulare, and we’ve struggled. I think I’m looking more forward to racing there this year than I ever have been. I feel we have a package that should run well there.
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 with the World of Outlaws a year ago today at the USA Raceway near Tucson, Arizona. Shane Stewart was second, ahead of Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan and Danny Lasoski.
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 – MC Power
With clients around the Midwest, MC Power has the experience and expertise to deliver cost-saving construction (general contracting, tenant finish/improvement, remodeling, metal building repair, roof leak repairs, concrete, carpentry, painting, drywall, plumbing, etc.), electrical (electrical design-build, electrical assessment, new construction and retrofit, ground testing, power analysis, energy back-up, power generation systems, sign repair, pole light repair, data wiring, panels, outlets, switches, etc.), solar energy (facility assessment, energy assessment, system evaluation, system engineering, financial/proforma development, solar-thermal systems, system installation, roof evaluations, ground or roof mounts, monitoring, maintenance, products & services warranty management, rebate management, etc.) and LED lighting systems (facility assessment, energy assessment, system evaluation, product evaluation, new construction or retrofit, maintenance, products & services warranty management, rebate management, etc.) for virtually any commercial or industrial application. Visit them on the web at www.MCPower.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, MC Power, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, 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, Tru Square, Jack Links, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance, Cometic Gaskets, Shell Shock, Donovan, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Racing Optics, Hoosier Tires, Klein RV, Duke’s Meats, BIGS Sunflower Seeds, NGK Spark Plugs, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, 6B Apparel, Garrett Racing Engines, MSD and Fortress Wealth Management for all their support!
Photo: Brian races in Las Vegas (Matt Hill Photo)
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
Twitter: @BillWMedia
e-mail: sprntcar@hotmail.com