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Brian Brown – Highs and Lows!
(Bill W) June 18, 2008 – In five days time, Grain Valley, Missouri sprint car driver Brian Brown experienced the highs and lows that make up racing. Last Wednesday, he was standing in Victory Lane in Sedalia, and over the weekend, despite a fast racecar, circumstances went the other way. This week will be another busy one, with dates at Donnellson, Iowa, and two nights of racing in two different classes at the Knoxville Raceway.
Three weekend race nights in a row started at the US36 Raceway and Friday's Bud Shootout. After registering the second quick time of the night behind Wayne Johnson, Brian won his heat and lined up beside Wayne's #94 to start the feature. He would follow the Oklahoma transplant the distance of the race. "At the Bud Shootout, we were just kind of second best," says Brian. "Wayne was in his own league there. We've definitely got some work to do if we want to beat those guys at the 360 Nationals."
Brian will need to find something quick as the American Sprint Cars on Tour visit Knoxville this Friday night. "We really had nothing for him (Wayne)," says Brian. "I even tried to get by him on the last restart before we got to the cone, and he pulled out a half a straightaway. We'll have another chance Friday to see how we stack up with the national guys. The car worked fine, but I think Wayne's found a little something with his motor. These things are changing technology-wise all the time, and if you're not on top of it, it can make a huge difference."
The Tim and Gina Doogs SuperClean #21 had some help from Pella Corporation on Saturday night. After registering the fourth quick, time of the night, Brian charged to second from the third row of his heat race. Things were going well after starting 10th in the 20-lap 410 main event. "We had a great night going until the end there," he says. "We worked our way up into the top five or six, and we really didn't need that first yellow to come out (lap 10). I feel we were running well enough to get by Billy (Alley) and (Mark) Dobmeier at that point."
Brian had a tough time of it after restarting sixth. "After the restart, we got caught behind a couple of cars, and when I got to clean air, Billy (third) was a straightaway ahead," he remembers. "We were able to run him down in about three or four laps. We got to racing, and with two laps to go, I got kind of pinched in turn one and we both slid across the track. In three and four, he went to the bottom, and I went to the top and cleared him in the corner. On the exit, there was a lapped car there, and I got too close to the wall, smacked it and cut a right rear tire."
Brian was helpless crossing under Doug Clark's white flag with a flat tire, and was scored a painful 21st. "We crossed a fine line there pushing the issue, and I'm a little disappointed in myself," he says. "If it was a race for the win it would have been different, but it was a race for third. I feel bad for my team. We haven't been running that great there, and when you haven't been running well, and you're up towards the front, you're trying everything to go as far forward as you can. I'd really like to thank Pella Corp for being on board with us last Saturday; it was too bad we couldn't quite get to the front!"
The Belleville High Banks in Belleville, Kansas awaited. Brian won in his visit to the high banks last year, and things started well enough on Sunday. "We started third and ran second in the heat. I felt good about our chances going into the A."
Starting in row two, Brian got in line at the high speed ½ mile until mechanical problems arose after a restart. "We took the green flag, and we were running in third when we hit traffic in about six or seven laps," he says. "At one point, I thought we'd go three-wide for the lead, but the yellow came out. That put things back single-file for awhile going 130 mph. After three more laps, the #2 spark plug got broken off by a mud clod, so that was the end of the Belleville trip. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but when it dropped a cylinder, I just shut it down."
Brian will seek his third Winged Outlaw Warriors win at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson tonight. Friday's ASCoT show at Knoxville will be followed by another night of 410 racing at the famed track on Saturday. "We've been fast, we just haven't been having the type of luck we've needed," says Brian. "We're not down, and we're not out, we'll just keep plugging away! If we keep working hard with the car, luck will come our way."
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
Bud Perry from Kansas City, KS asks: Have you ever entertained the thought of running without the wing?
Brian answers: I'd love to be able to do that sometime, but as busy as our schedule is, it's tough. I don't think you can just jump into it. Guys like Jac Haudenschild can do that, but he's got a ton of experience. I don't think we could just take the wing off and put it on those guys who have been running that way for years. If we could get three or four nights in a row going, I'd love to give it a go. I think we'd be o.k. at it. We seem to keep our car smooth and straight and I think that's a key when you take the wing off, too especially on the big half-miles.
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 will bring a good record with the ASCS to Knoxville on Friday. According to www.OpenWheelTimes.com, he has 71 career feature starts with ASCS, has grabbed 12 wins (17%), 38 top fives (51%) and 55 top tens (77%). His last two wins with the National series came in 2006, when he topped Tony Bruce Jr., Jon Corbin, Jason Johnson and Randy Martin at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri, and at the Lucas Oil Speedway near Wheatland, Misssouri when he bested Sean McClelland, Martin, Jesse Hockett and Aaron Berryhill.
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 – Boss Hogg Food Products
Boss Hogg Food Products joined the #21 team last season. Brian enjoys the Honey Barbecue Beef Jerky! Whether it is Beef Jerky, Pork Sticks, Seasonings or a number of sauces, Boss Hogg Food Products is for you. Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Boss Hogg Food Products are dedicated to not only their product, but also helping you out with any fundraising campaigns. To learn more about Boss Hogg, visit their website at www.BossHoggJerky.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 last Saturday at Knoxville (Ryan Northcote 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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