|
Brian Brown – Kid in a Candy Store!
(Bill W) July 30, 2008 – Brian Brown hasn't started up front at Knoxville Raceway all year, and last Saturday was no different. Come race time, he's usually surging towards the front in the Tim and Gina Doogs SuperClean #21, and that was no different either. Brian used a late restart to aid him in surging from a 12th place start to a podium finish, and he'll use that momentum as he prepares for a busy week of double duty in the 360 and 410.
Coming out late in time trials was a bit of a handicap last Saturday, so Brian's 13th quick effort was not a complete disappointment. "We haven't been qualifying the best all year long, but I don't think this week was entirely our fault," he says. "Track conditions slowed down a bit. I think we were better than we had been compared to some of the other cars."
Lining up outside of Wayne Johnson in his heat race, Brian knew his work was cut out for him. "Anytime you line up beside Wayne it's going to be a tough fight," he says. "We were able to win that and the car was working well. We were 4/10 quicker than anybody else in the heats. We were running about 15.5, and everyone else was around 15.9. We were looking forward to the feature at that point."
An invert of ten, saw Brian line up outside of row six. He quickly asserted himself, and the SuperClean #21 was operating no matter where Brian put it on the racing surface. Two late cautions slowed the pace, and by then, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver was challenging the top five contenders.
He had moved to sixth before a restart with two to go set up a dash for the finish. When the fourth and fifth place cars of Calvin Landis and Johnson bogged down on the bottom of one and two, Brian passed the pair to move into fourth. He also found his way around early leader Skip Jackson, who was battling an ill-handling race car late to grab third at the checkers.
Brian knows he was fortunate with the last yellow flag. "Realistically, without the last caution we were fifth or sixth," he states. "That's the way it goes on restarts, sometimes you gain spots and sometimes you lose them. We made a move to get by Calvin (Landis) and Wayne, and Skip (Jackson) got to racing with (Dusty) Zomer, and we were able to get by him too."
The 2007 track champion knows the cars he passed were not slouches. "Starting that far back, it shows how good our team is," he says. "You have to pass quality cars at Knoxville. A lot of times when they get strung out, they're hard to run down. To pass six or eight cars a night like we have been this year when the field is as strong as ever says a lot about our team."
Still, a win at Knoxville has eluded them this season. "We're right there; we just haven't put it over the hump yet as far as a win," he laments. "I've been telling people all year that I'll take the bad runs, as long as we can get a couple good ones these weeks in August."
Casey's Night will be stout this Saturday and provides the last prep time for the big show next week. "It will be a tough week," says Brian. "There will be around 40-45 410s in town for the Nationals. It will be a good test before the Nationals."
First things first. The 360 Nationals loom this weekend as well, and Brian will qualify on Friday before trying to win his first championship on Saturday. "We have a fresh motor ready to go," he says. "We haven't been as dominant this year in the 360 ranks like we have been in the past, but sometimes it's better to be an underdog coming in. Maybe we can sneak up on them. I honestly feel as good and confident as I ever have about having a shot at winning the thing. If we avoid doing something stupid like last year, I feel really good about hitting the podium both Saturday with the 360 Nationals and Sunday with the BRODIX Tournament of Champions which we haven't run for a couple of years."
There is nowhere Brian would rather be than Knoxville, Iowa right now. "We're really looking forward to the next two weeks," he says. "This two weeks at Knoxville is like heaven and being a kid in a candy store. They can have Hawaii, the Bahamas or Australia, I'll take this any day of the week!"
Brian is a Color Commentator
Brian will be the "expert" color commentator for Thursday night's 360 Nationals prelim on www.HoseheadsRadio.com! He will join play-by-play man Bill W, and pit reporter Wayne Johnson to bring all the action starting at 7:30 p.m. CST!
Brian on KGGO 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
Hugh in Carrollton, MO asks: I know your goal is to win the Knoxville Nationals, but a 360 Nationals title would be special too, wouldn't it? It seems with all the drivers assembled, the challenge is almost as great.
Brian answers: Winning the 360 Nationals is up there on anybody's list of accomplishments. The amount of people capable of winning the race is much more than the 410 Nationals. In the 410 Nationals 15 guys could win it, while in the 360 Nationals, you could probably name 35 guys that could win. In this day in age, it could as tough to win the 360 deal as the 410, because everyone is so close. In the 410 class, there are guys leaps and bounds above others. To win that would be special.
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
Although Brian is yet to grab the top of the podium at the 360 Nationals, his record is impressive. He has driven four cars in eight tries (Lasoski 3 and 20 '00-'03, Mincer 15 and Doogs 21 in '04, Doogs 21 '05-'07). He captured a quick time in '01, has qualified for the prelim A main all eight times, has scored 2 prelim top 5's and 4 prelim top 10's, won the '04 B main, has qualified for the championship finale seven times (5th on the all-time list), and has three top five finishes and five top ten finishes (4th on the all-time list). His best effort has been third in both '05 and '06.
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.
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!
Brian in his 360 at US36 Raceway earlier in the month (HighFly-n Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me!
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com
|
