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Brian Brown – Looking Ahead!
(Bill W) May 29, 2008 – After a tough weekend, sprint car driver Brian Brown is looking forward to the future, and putting the last weekend behind him. Tough track conditions and some motor issues led to an 18th place finish at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday, and what seemed like a winning effort at California, Missouri on Sunday ended in a third place finish after some unfortunate circumstances. Saturday, Brian will be looking to bounce back at Knoxville.
After drawing a 13 for qualifying at the pit shack, Brian timed in 22nd in the 33-car field in time trials. The majority of drivers coming out late had the fastest times, with the exception of a couple. "We'd love to blame things on our early qualifying time and that the track was slimy, but we'll take a draw of 13 all summer long, and Jack Dover came out first and got the job done," says Brian. "We really can't blame anyone but ourselves there. For some reason, we couldn't get our motor running the way we wanted. Qualifying 22nd isn't acceptable for a weekly show, or any show. That put us behind for the rest of the night, and with the track the way it was, things snowballed."
The slow qualifying time did put Brian on the front row of the heat race, in which he finished second and headed for the A main, lining up outside of row nine. From there, it was pretty much follow the leader, and the Grain Valley, Missouri driver finished where he started. Though there wasn't much room to roam, Brian still felt there were some minor motor problems. "Wesmar is working on it right now," he says. "We'll put a different one in this weekend, and the problem will be cured in the other one. 18th is like a DNF. With the competition we have at Knoxville this year, you can't afford any of those. We need to get up on the wheel from here on out, or we won't even be in contention. That's what we plan on doing, starting Saturday!"
Sunday saw a switch to 360 racing with the Winged Outlaw Warriors at the small Double X Speedway in California, Missouri. Despite a lack of laps at the bullring, Brian came through with a heat race win from fifth, and a second place dash finish. "I think I've only raced about three times at California, so we were feeling good after winning the heat and finishing second in the dash there," he says.
The race was the First Annual Larry Martin Memorial. Brian would start outside of row one for the 25-lap main event beside Larry's son, Randy. "Larry Martin did a lot for the sport of sprint car racing, especially here in Missouri," says Brian. "To start beside Randy at his dad's memorial was kind of surreal."
Brian shot out to a big lead in the SuperClean #21. "We were able to get a good start there, and we were sailing through lapped traffic," he says. "At about ten laps, I had five lapped cars between myself and second (Jesse Hockett)."
At that time, the caution came out, and the lapped cars went to the back of the pack. Brian describes what went on from there. "We felt good on the restart, but after five or six more laps, we had another yellow," he says. "We were sailing along, but with about four laps to go, I got tangled with one of the slower lapped cars, and that ripped off the nose wing, and I had to about come to a complete stop. With Hockett as fast as he is at Double X, it didn't take long for him to get by me."
With a bent racecar, running down Hockett would be impossible, and suddenly he had his hands full with Martin. "From there on, I was just holding on," Brian remembers. "I tried to give Randy a battle for second there, but the car just wasn't reacting so we settled for third. So it was what it was. I think we had the car to win the race, but sometimes things like that happen in racing."
6:45 on Friday Mornings
…by a radio station. Brian will be joining Lou, the Round Guy and Heather on KGGO "Classic Rock that Rocks" at 94.9 on the FM dial. He is calling each Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. during the race season to keep them apprised of his latest outings. Be sure to listen in!
Website
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit the revamped www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
New t-shirts are available and can be ordered at Brian's website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), www.Racingthreads.com, or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
Cody Johnson in Kansas City, MO asks: How much more physically demanding is a heavy (tacky) track, and why?
Brian answers: It depends on how your motor is running. If it's not running, you could drive to China and back on a tacky track and not get tired. If you don't pay attention, and aren't working out in the off-season a little bit, it can get physically demanding. What young guys do, or I even sometimes do, is when you're having a close call with somebody, you hold your breath. Next thing you know, you've done that for two or three laps, and more than anything, that can get you worn out. You need to breathe properly. You can get Hulk Hogan in there, but he's going to get worn out a lot faster than Jac Haudenschild.
Got a question for Brian? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Brian" in your subject line.
Brown'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.
SuperClean
SuperClean is the "super product" for your home, auto, outdoor and marine cleaning jobs. Whether it is grease, oil, wax, tar or dirt that you need to clean from concrete, wheels or just about anything else, SuperClean is the product for you! To learn more about SuperClean, visit www.SuperClean.com!
SuperClean Products include:
Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser
If you have tough, caked-on grease, then SuperClean Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser is the multipurpose cleaner you need. This concentrated, industrial strength formula quickly removes grease, oil, wax, tar, and dirt on contact leaving your surface as clean as new.
All Wheel Cleaner
If you love your car more than you love your…well you know, then SuperClean All Wheel Cleaner is for you. This custom-blend formula instantly releases road grime and brake dust, leaving wheels clean to the original finish.
Concrete Cleaner
Great house…dirty driveway? Then you need SuperClean Concrete Cleaner. This concentrated, professional strength formula cuts away grease, grime, dirt, and organic stains leaving your concrete surface as clean as the original finish.
See Heather at a grandstand entrance near you or visit the team's trailer to get your free sample! Superclean is available at Wal-Mart, Autozone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, or to find a retailer near you visit www.superclean.com.
Marketing Partner of the Week – Michael Ross Memorial Foundation
Brian's been a long-time supporter of the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation. The foundation will be benefited with a Celebrity Modified race at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri during the Ditzfeld Transfer Summer Nationals on June 11, 2008. All proceeds from the race featuring Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Gary Scelzi, Dave Marcis, Randy Lajoie and others will be donated to the foundation.
The Michael Ross Memorial Foundation was founded in honor of the son of Tony and Kathy Ross from American Compressed Steel, Inc. following Michael's passing due to complications from Tay-Sachs disease. The MRMF is a non-profit charity organization supporting Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Michigan. Bay Cliff Health Camp is a six-week summer camp that assists severely handicapped children. The camp funding is raised to help remove financial burdens from the children's families so the visits are completely covered including new wheel chairs, crutches or other medical equipment the children may need. The children participate in camp activities and are taught specific learning strategies to aid them and their handicaps.
Brian's Updates
Brian's Releases are an up close look at the past, present and future of 2007 Knoxville Raceway track champion, Brian Brown. To receive Brian's weekly updates, send an e-mail to [email protected] with "Brian" in the subject line.
Brian would like to thank SuperClean, Ditzfeld Transfer, Boss Hogg Food Products, Maxim Racing, American Compressed Steel, Michael Ross Memorial Foundation, Champion Brands, Legend Suzuki, Housby Trucks, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, Yeager's Harley Davidson, Saldana Radiators, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Blue Springs Extreme Powersports, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Shock Doctor, Weld Wheels, Fire-Down Graphics, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, Winters Performance Products, ISC Racers Tape, Simpson, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Dake Law Office, Wes. Mo. Auto, Don's Truck Wash, Sunshack Tan, McCroskey Chevrolet, Gardner Farms and Hoosier Tires for all their help!
(Dave Hill Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me!
@BillWMedia
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