Brian at Knoxville (Chuck Stowe Images/Finish Line Photo)
(Bill W) June 14, 2016 – Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team have everything in place for a strong summer and another strong Knoxville Nationals in August. A podium run from a ninth place starting spot on Friday night with the World of Outlaws confirmed that. Saturday’s finale was going great as well, until a crash involving eleven drivers brought the Grain Valley, Missouri driver’s night to an end. A busy week is planned starting Wednesday night with the WoO at the Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Three National Sprint League events are planned over the weekend, including the Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota Friday, the Knoxville Raceway Saturday and the Mason City Motor Speedway on Sunday.
Things started rather strangely for you Friday when you had an ignition switch break on your first qualifying lap.
We had a piece break that never should have broken. That put us behind the 8-ball a little bit, but the guys did a great job of getting it fixed and at least getting us out there for one lap. I think it would have been eighth quick, but under the Outlaw rules the best we could be was 11th.
You went from sixth to third in the heat and really turned the night around.
I felt it was the hardest heat of the night. That put us in a good spot for the feature, thanks to the new Outlaw format. It’s driver and fan friendly when you have an opportunity in the heat to improve your position in the A. I was going to do everything in my power to get to second. That’s what you want as a fan, is the drivers going as hard as they can.
That mean you would start ninth in the feature.
We were able to get to sixth rather quickly. At that point, we were one of the faster cars on the track. We had an altercation ahead of us that took out a couple cars. That put us fourth on the restart. At that point, I was licking my chops a little bit.
…but you fell back a little after the green.
I just didn’t get a good restart. I spun my tires down the front straightaway. That gave (Dusty) Zomer an opportunity to make a move on me. Exiting turn two, instead of being third, I was running fifth. I had to get back by (David) Gravel and Zomer and by that time, (Terry) McCarl and (Donny) Schatz were too far ahead.
It still had to feel good to have a podium run after starting ninth.
Overall, I would say Friday ranks right up there as one of our team’s strongest nights. They never gave up. Our car is really good right now, and I think that will pay rewards come August. (Crew Chief) Chad (Morgan) and I are really communicating well about how the car is doing. Wyatt (Burks) and Michael (Williams) are doing a phenomenal job as well, making sure we have everything we need.
You timed in fifth quick on Saturday after coming out 24th in the order.
The Dunkin’s did a great job with the track all weekend. We had like four different track conditions throughout the weekend. Saturday was a track that we may see at the Knoxville Nationals on a qualifying night. We were able to time in fifth quick, and in the heat race, we were really good. We stayed right there with Brad (Sweet). The car was phenomenal.
In the Dash, you went from fourth to third.
We were able to get beside Ian (Madsen) at one point there, but settled for third. At that point, starting third, we felt our car was really good and our hopes were high. Our goal was to be there at the end.
Early in the feature, it looked like you would be a contender.
We were able to roll to third and keep the leaders in our crosshairs. That’s when the yellow came out and the “big one” happened on the restart.
Describe what happened from your perspective.
When you’re on the inside of a double-file restart, especially at Knoxville with the infield berm, you’re at the mercy of the guy on the outside. It’s about how far they’re going to push you down, or you are going to push them up. I didn’t feel Shane (Stewart) gave me much room there at all, and then Ian made the move in front of us. He got into Shane, and Shane got into me. At that point, we were along for the ride. We were just a wounded duck really.
It has to be a scary moment spinning in front of the field like that.
One of my biggest fears is sitting in the middle of the track with cars coming at 140 miles per hour. The sport is dangerous enough, but that seems to be where drivers get hurt. I’m very thankful that we had twenty professional drivers behind us. We tore the car up pretty badly, but it could have been a lot worse. We got away pretty easy really from where it could have been.
I know you’re not a big fan of the double-file restarts.
A single-file restart would have prevented all of that. It’s pretty simple, really. With the double-file restarts, you are either aggressive or someone else is, trying to push you around. The scariest part of the race is the start, and to do them over and over is just tough. As a car owner, I don’t like them. The Outlaws have done a lot of great things with their rules, and we enjoy running with them, but that’s one rule I’d change.
Now you have a big week ahead of you.
We’re excited to get to Sauk Rapids. FVP will have a number of employees and customers there. We’re looking forward to three nights with the National Sprint League too. The guys have spent the last couple days getting things put back together after the crash and we’ll hopefully, hit the ground running.
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
Great Marketing Opportunities for 2016!
There are great marketing opportunities available with Brian Brown Racing for 2016 with available spots on the car including the side of the nose wing. For more information, e-mail Brian at Brian@BrianBrownRacing.com.
Brown’s Bits
Brian’s best finish at Tri-City Speedway was back in 2005 when he finished second there. With 30 cars present for the October 2 special, Jerrod Hull took the $3,000 prize. Brian was second, ahead of Tim Montgomery, Curt Trainer and Bobby Hawks.
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 – Maxim Racing
In October of 2014, Dan Musselman (Previously Director of Operations) and his brother Ron formed a partnership and acquired Maxim Inc. Both have been involved in sprint car racing for over 40 years and have over 30 years of business, manufacturing and customer satisfaction experience. Dan and Ron would like to thank the sprint car racing community for embracing the change in ownership. The outcome has been very humbling.
Maxim Racing conducts business in its 12,600 square foot building located in Springfield, Illinois. At present, Maxim is fourteen employees strong and builds over 400 chassis annually.
Maxim Racing prides itself on providing great customer service, helping our clients on setup advice along with focusing on the highest level of quality and safety.
Visit Maxim Racing online at www.RaceMaxims.com and on Facebook at Maxim Racing Inc.
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems
Brian says – “From day one in racing, all I have ever used has been ButlerBuilt seat systems. Brian and Jeannie Butler do a great job, and make sure their drivers are in the safest seat possible. I’d never run anything else.”
No matter the form of motorsports, ButlerBuilt’s leadership makes it the most successful seat in the industry! Champions in Butler Built Seats span all forms of motorsports from NASCAR Sprint Cup to late models, and of course, the open wheel world! Whether you race a stock car locally, you are traveling with a national series or you’re in the seat of a Monster Truck, Butler Built has the custom seat for your needs!
Butler Built does not stop at seats either. They offer a wide variety of safety products including Seat Accessories, Seat Options and Mounting, Padding, Belts and Restraints, Steering Wheels, Open Wheel Products, Air Management Systems, Lateral Head Supports, ARAI helmets and much more. Your safety is #1 with Butler Built!
To learn more about the Butler Advantage or if you have questions about your race safety, visit www.ButlerBuilt.net or call 800 621-SEAT (7328) today!
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, Next LED Sports, 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, 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 at Knoxville (Chuck Stowe Images/Finish Line Photo)
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
Twitter: @BillWMedia
e-mail: sprntcar@hotmail.com
Website: www.OpenWheel101.com