Brian races with RJ Johnson at Knoxville (Mark Funderburk Racing Photo)
(Bill W) May 8, 2017 – It was another strong weekend for Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team. After rebounding from a disappointing qualifying effort with the World of Outlaws Friday at the Missouri State Fair Speedway to finish fifth, Brian charged from eighth to second Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. This week, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver plans on three events. Thursday the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series hits Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. Friday, Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota will open, and the team will head back to Knoxville Saturday.
It had to be nice to race with the Outlaws Friday so close to home for a change.
It was good to get back to Sedalia, especially with the Outlaws. I think it had been 2012 since they’ve been there. A lot of my very first partners are from Sedalia including Ditzfeld Transfer, Impact Signs, Awnings and Wraps and Champion Oil and Weld Wheels are in the region. That’s always big for us.
It ended up being a slow start to the night for you.
We didn’t unload very well. We were seventh quick hot-lapping. We just didn’t feel good. I think we over-adjusted a little, and we came out late in qualifying, timing in fifteenth quick. That wasn’t normal for the way we’ve been qualifying, and it put us in a hole. What is good about our team is, nobody gives up.
There wasn’t much passing in the heats, but you jumped from fourth to second right away and made the Dash.
We were able to get to second on the first lap and that really turned our night around. Now we were in position to get in the Dash and have a chance to win. We were able to move from seventh up to sixth in the Dash and that gave us another row in the feature and kept our confidence going.
When the green flew, you fell back to seventh.
Brady (Bacon) had a rough start in front of me and that slowed me down. That let Jason (Johnson) by me. So I had to get by Brady, and then we were finally able to get by Jason towards the end to finish fifth. We felt we were o.k. We just fought the same problem all night long. But to finish fifth and feel that way, we know we’re definitely on the right path as a team.
You came out late again Saturday night at Knoxville, but you set quick time.
Quick time doesn’t pay a dime, but it puts you in good position with the point system at Knoxville. We have a great package that helps us in Garrett Engines, Maxim Chassis, FK Shocks, Vortex Wings…all those things have to work together.
You stormed from sixth to second in your heat.
We had a good heat race. Every time we’ve hit the track the last month, we’ve been passing cars. We haven’t always been that way, so it’s great and it will pay dividends down the road. I just need to stay aggressive in those situations.
You were high-point car heading into the feature and the eight was drawn for the invert. What were your goals heading in?
In a 20-lap race, we didn’t know what to expect. I felt getting up to third was a good goal, and then you let it play out in the end. We didn’t get the best of starts. I think we had a restart on the second lap, and I was still running eighth. We were able to get a couple on the restart. We were able to start picking them off one by one. We had some good battles with (Mark) Dobmeier, (Tim) Kaeding, Chad Kemenah and Lynton (Jeffrey). From where I was sitting it was a whale of a show.
There was a caution at the halfway point, and that’s when you really started going forward.
That’s when it got good from my seat. We were able to get by Lynton, and make a move to get by Tim Kaeding and two or three lapped cars in one corner. We were able to run down (leader) Ian (Madsen) at that point. With three to go, I felt like we caught him, and then I made a bad move. I thought I may have given it away. He got hung up on the last lap behind some lapped cars in two.
I think everyone was on the edge of their seats for that finish!
Coming down the back straightaway, I was asking myself what line to take and if a hole would open up once I got there. We went to the bottom and I didn’t get it rotated well. We got tight and I slid up the track a little. I could have pushed the issue and maybe made it, or crashed all of us. At that point, it wasn’t worth it. That’s not how we race, and it’s not the way Ian races us.
That was probably the most exciting second place finish you’ve had in a while. And you had some things going on in the cockpit.
A spoke on my steering wheel had broken. Something was going on with the steering. I drove by the corner when something was going on and bent the floor pan up. So with all of that going on at 130 miles per hour, it was a really solid night for us to finish second. We’re really confident as a team right now. I feel we’re as fast as we’ve ever been. We need to keep building on that.
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
Brian’s Bits
Brian hit the ground running in his first visit to Knoxville in 2000, but came crashing down to start the 2001 season. In his first appearance at the “Sprint Car Capital of the World”, Brian finished an impressive 6th in the 360 Nationals opener and fourth in the finale behind winner Wayne Johnson, Matt Moro and Larry Neighbors. 410 Knoxville plans for 2001 were dashed in the season opener in Danny Lasoski’s #3 when the motor blew up in hot laps. Brian would return in June and at the Nationals that season. In 2002, things clicked with six wins and a championship in the 360 class before making the jump to 410s for good in 2003.
About Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune-500 company (NASDAQ CASY) operating over 1,900 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 4th 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 – 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 – Bell Helmets
Bell exists to inspire and enable the next generation of boundary breakers. It is built from auto racing, motorcycle and bicycle culture. They don’t just make helmets; they make possibilities. Born in a garage. Fueled by grease and will. Guided by pure intent to encourage the world to live, ride, drive and thrive. Hand-in-hand with the world’s best drivers and riders, Bell continues to enable the world’s best to be their best…as it always has. Bell—Established 1954. Proven ever since. Visit Bell Helmets online at www.BellHelmets.com!
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, FVP, Wormall Civil, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps/ impact4800.com, Champion Brands, Weld Wheels, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, MSD ignition, MC Power, Housby, Searsboro Telephone Company, Next LED Sports, Hope for the Warriors, Factory Kahne Shocks, Arctic Cat, Lincoln Electric, K&N, www.hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, ATL 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, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance, Cometic Gaskets, Shell Shock, Donovan, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Racing Optics, 5-hour ENERGY, Hoosier Tires, NGK Spark Plugs, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, 6B Apparel, Garrett Racing Engines, and Fortress Wealth Management for all their support!
Photo: Brian races with RJ Johnson at Knoxville (Mark Funderburk Racing Photo)
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
Twitter: @BillWMedia
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