Brian at Knoxville (Chuck Stowe/Finish Line Photo)
(Bill W) June 30, 2016 – Outside of an impressive fourth place run with the World of Outlaws at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska last Wednesday, it was a week to forget for Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team. A part failure could have meant disaster for the Grain Valley, Missouri driver, but fortunately, he brought the car and himself back in one piece. This weekend is a big two-night National Sprint League event at Knoxville Raceway, and it comes at a good time for a team that is ready to get “back on the horse”.
You timed in 11th quick at I-80.
We started off o.k., but we didn’t qualify as well as we wanted. We were just a little bit off both hot lapping and qualifying. We were able to go from fourth to second in the heat, which would have put us in the Dash. We were just a little bit tight all night long though, and I let Logan (Schuchart) get back by us.
The third place finish meant you would start eighth in the feature, but you went backwards at first.
I think at one point, we were back in 12th or 14th even. Once the fuel load came off, that thing started rolling around there pretty well. I think the last eight laps, we went from tenth to fourth. In a 50-lapper, we would have had something for them, but overall, for as off as we were, to come back and get a top five with the Outlaws was almost like a win.
At Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota on Friday, you again timed in 11th with the WoO.
We had a few things going on at I-80 and Jackson, that now looking back, we know why we were the way we were. We unloaded tight, tried to fix it, and qualified loose in a couple of spots. Then we were tight in the heat (running third).
You started in row six, but finished sixteenth.
In the feature, it was almost un-drivable. It was just so tight. Fortunately, Jackson has a lot of high paying races coming up, but unfortunately, it’s one of our worst tracks right now. We have some ideas of why that is. In the past, it’s been one of our better tracks. We need to go back to the drawing board there.
At Knoxville on Saturday, you timed in fourth quick and went fifth to second in your heat with the NSL. The invert had you starting seventh for the feature.
We were able to get to third rather quickly. I really didn’t drive too smart and made some bad decisions that you can’t make. We had a part failure on our left front. That cause the wheel to come off the spindle. It was one of those nights. From breaking down in the truck going to I-80, and you go back really through the month of June…we’re really glad to get into July.
You spun in turn three facing traffic. That could have been a lot worse.
Looking at the video, (the wheel) was off in one and two. It kind of stayed on there. Honestly, I’m lucky that the two drivers behind me (Sammy Swindell and Danny Lasoski) are Hall of Fame drivers. You get someone that’s not paying attention too much back there and it could have been bad. Fortunately, at Knoxville, we have quality drivers.
Your focus can be on Knoxville this week.
We needed this week to regroup and refocus. We’ve been able to nip a few items in the bud and really get ready for the “month of money” here. We want to concentrate on winning races. This is what the doctor ordered for us. We can get right back on the horse. There will be travelers coming in starting this weekend through the Nationals. We feel like even with the bad luck, we’ve had a fast car every time we’ve hit the track at Knoxville. I can’t wait until the Nationals; I guarantee you that!
The Driver’s Project
Read about Brian’s experiences in early 2004 with Lonnie Parsons’ #6 World of Outlaws team at “The Driver’s Project”… http://www.thedriversproject.com/2016/06/brian-brown-too-much-too-soon/
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 was one of the last winners at Huset’s Speedway in its final season on September 6, 2015. The night also marked his first triumph with the National Sprint League. Tim Kaeding was second, ahead of Terry McCarl, Ian Madsen and Tasker Phillips.
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 – Housby Trucks
Brian says, “Jack, Kelly and Kevin Housby have been great to me since I was in the Casey’s car. They have provided our truck, and they do great service on trucks in the Des Moines area.”
Since 1969, Housby has been known for the quality of new and used trucks they sell and their excellent customer service. What started out primarily as a Mack Truck dealership has grown into a conglomerate of vertically integrated businesses that share synergy by bringing multiple services to their customers. Businesses include Housby Mack, Inc., Housby Mixer Group, Housby Truck Lube, Vocon Remarketing, Second Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Kenny’s Components
Kenny’s Components is dedicated to building high quality, carbon-fiber products for all types of racing machines. They specialize in design consultation, engineering, production, and custom fabrication to meet your exact specifications and needs.
In 2001, Kenny Koldsbaek decided it was time to control his own destiny, and started Kenny’s Components Incorporated in the garage of his Troutman, North Carolina home. The business quickly outgrew the garage, so Kenny took the next step and relocated the business to a commercial building.
Today, Kenny’s Components occupies a 7200 square foot facility in the Lakeside Business Park, in Mooresville. Though the business has grown, Kenny remains dedicated to building quality MADE IN THE USA carbon fiber products! Visit Kenny’s Components online at www.KennysComponents.com!
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