This message was edited on
October 11, 2007 at
08:05:38 AM by Bill W
Brian Brown – Percolating Coffeyville!
(Bill W) October 10, 2007 – Brian Brown had never been to the 3/10 mile oval at Mid-America Speedway in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma before last weekend. The one thing he did know was $3,000 was on the line for the two-day ASCS-Sooner finale on Saturday. He and the Doogs #21 sprint car team made the most of their maiden voyage to the facility, and took the cash back to Missouri!
The trip didn't start out the best. "Friday night was pretty rough and heavy," says Brian. "Several cars turned over. We were second in our heat race and hooked a big hole. We lost a couple spots, ran fourth and had to go to the B."
Starting third, Brian was just looking to transfer to the A. "We were able to transfer through the B (finishing third)," he says. "In the feature, we made a few laps and pulled off, which was our plan the whole time. We knew the bigger picture was Saturday night." The box score showed Brian 17th officially on Friday.
As the new day dawned, the team's wishes for a drier track were granted. "It was definitely slicker on Saturday night," says Brian. "We started third in the heat and were able to win it. In the dash, and you can see the picture on the ASCS site, we were actually three-wide. The track was really nice on Saturday. When you get a track like that, it's hard to ask for anything better."
Brian was able to move up from fifth to third, setting him up inside row two for the 30-lap $3,000 to win feature event. After feeling his way through the first few laps, he was able to take second from front row starter, Gary Taylor, and began to track down leader and 2007 ASCS-Sooner champion, Brian McClelland.
In traffic on lap 18, the driver from Grain Valley, Missouri was able to get by for the lead but it was negated. "We were able to make a pass for the lead on lap 18, but the yellow came out," he says. "We were able to take the lead shortly after that (lap 21), and then the rubber came and we held on."
Brian was sizing up some handling problems McClelland had before the caution on lap 18, and that proved valuable. "Experience may have got (McClelland) a little bit. When the rubber came a bit, he kept his wing back, making him tighter. When I passed him the first time, I thought he would move it forward, but he kept it back and stayed tight. It's nice to have a little experience on someone once in awhile, because usually it's the other way around."
The 2007 410 Knoxville Raceway track champion was impressed with the talent on hand, especially McClelland. "I obviously haven't been able to see him race that much. It's a great credit to him to be able to win that region with guys like Kevin Ramey and his brother Sean. Obviously, that's a great accomplishment."
Devil's Bowl/Wesmar Challenge
This weekend will be a big one as some of the best in the 360 business will assemble at Lanny Edwards' Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas. The American Sprint Cars on Tour will be racing in the annual Winternationals event, and some of the best from around the country will join them for the ASCS/Wesmar Challenge. Brian's experience at the famous ½ mile oval could still be categorized as limited. "I've only been to Devil's Bowl around six times," he says. "We ran second there last year to Gary Wright. We won a heat there earlier this year, but burned a motor in the process."
With so many quality cars, a lot can be gained from a little luck. "It's really been feast or famine for us down there," says Brian. "It will be especially important on the first night to draw well. It can be heavy there, and if we can start out front in clean air, that could set us up for a great weekend."
Twenty-six drivers, including Brian, have been invited to participate in the ASCS/Wesmar Challenge. In a format that encompasses three races for 40 laps over the two days, a points system will determine the winner, who will receive a Wesmar motor! "We're really excited about the Wesmar challenge," says Brian. "We're fortunate that Wesmar and the other product sponsors have stepped up. If you look at the value of the motor and what you can get out of it if you can win it, it is by far the highest paying 360 feature out there. It's a good deal, and I hope they have a good turnout, it works out well, and they keep doing it. It's a good deal all around, and will give us a chance to see how we stack up with all the best from around the country."
In addition to the first place prize, there is some other hardware on the line: 2nd – Maxim chassis, 3rd – Eagle frame, 4th through 8th – cylinder heads from Brodix, 9th – Simpson Voodoo Helmet, 10th – Set of Pro Shocks, 11th – MPD right rear wheel, 12th – MPD left rear wheel, 13th – two MPD front wheels, 14th through 26th – Hoosier tires and Weld certificates.
Brian wishes the challenge was on a little more familiar gound. "In a place like that, you need all the laps you can get. To be honest, I wish this deal was at Knoxville!"
"Win It Or Wear It"
"Win It Or Wear It", hosted by Brian and Tony Bokhoven, airs LIVE every Monday night in the Racinboys studios from 7-8 p.m. CST.
To hear the latest stories and news from the drivers who make them, log on to www.Racinboys.com! All of our shows are archived, so check back by clicking on the "Videos" link at the top of the homepage. Last Monday's show featured ASCoT regular, "Cajun Sensation" Jason Johnson and California's Bud Kaeding.
Website
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
T-shirts can now be ordered at www.Racingthreads.com, or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
John from Tulsa, OK asks: What is your key when you go to a track like Devil's Bowl?
Brian answers: I think there are a couple of keys. What's different about Devil's Bowl is the back straightaway, you go uphill and the front straightaway, you go downhill. The trickiest part of the track is rolling one and two. If you're in the center of the turns, your car wants to push. The guys who are good there, Gary Wright, Wayne Johnson, Jason Johnson and Kevin Ramey can get their cars rolling through there without lifting. It's definitely a different configuration, and hopefully we'll do well.
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
Though Brian has yet to win at Devil's Bowl, in eight A main appearances he has finished in the top five on four occasions. He has finished in the top ten six times. His best appearance was in the 2005 Winternationals, when he finished second to Gary Wright, and ahead of Kevin Ramey, Wayne Johnson and Gregg Bakker.
Brian's Weekly Updates
Brian's Weekly Releases are an up close look at the past, present and future of 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 Big Ox, Ditzfield Transfer, Boss Hogg Food Products, Maxim Racing, American Compressed Steel, Michael Ross Memorial Foundation, Champion Brands, Chad Franklin's Suzuki, Housby Trucks, K & N Filters, Hostiowa.net, Yeager's Harley Davidson, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Shock Doctor, Weld Wheels, VK 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!
Tim and Gina Doogs join Heather and Brian in Victory Lane at Mid-America Speedway (ASCS)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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