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Brian Brown – Fifth at the 'Diamond'!
(Bill W) April 23, 2008 – With a cancellation at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday night, sprint car driver Brian Brown headed to the Lucas Oil Speedway near Wheatland, Missouri and a date with the American Sprint Cars on Tour. Having won there when the ASCS National Series visited in late September of 2006, Brian was confident in doing well. This weekend he'll take on the World of Outlaws as the quest for another Knoxville Championship Cup begins!
Things started well enough with a good draw at the 3/8 mile Lucas Oil Speedway and besting a legend of the sport in the heat race didn't hurt either. "We started beside the best guy there is right now, and probably one of the top five sprint car drivers of all-time in my opinion in Gary Wright," said the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. "Starting beside him and being able to win is saying something, so we were feeling pretty confident heading into the feature, along with winning the last time ASCS was there in 2006."
With the top eight drivers in passing points redrawing for position, things continued to go well. "We had the redraw and drew one (pole position), so everything was looking good," says Brian. "As the night went on, the track kept getting more and more moisture. After the modifieds went out, it was torn up even more. We thought the car was good in the heat, so we didn't really touch it, or free it up. I chose to leave my car alone, because it was pretty slick."
The strategy would backfire when the moisture returned to the facility dubbed the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks". "We were decent the first 10 or 12 laps (he led the race), but once we got to traffic, we were tight and couldn't maneuver the way we needed to," says Brian. Jason Johnson took full advantage and sailed by to victory. "If you're off by an inch with these guys, it really shows, and we ended up running fifth. These guys are like sharks…when they see blood, they swarm you, just like the Outlaws."
Brian laments not moving around a bit on the track while leading the first 11 laps of the 25-lap main event. "With sprint cars, if you're out in clean air, you can dictate what line you're running, and if you're tight, you can move around a little bit to free it up," he says. "I didn't do a good job of that, and traffic bottled us up. Sometimes it's better to be running second or third when that happens, because you've moved around a bit to get by people. It was frustrating to have an opportunity up front with these ASCS National guys and some Outlaw guys, and not get it done. I felt like I didn't do my job as far as setting the car up, and driving too."
The race was one of few that survived the untimely weather in the Midwest. Despite backing up to fifth, it was still a good finish with 50+ cars on hand. Brian still had a good time at a very nice venue. "I would rank Lucas Oil Speedway right up there with Knoxville as far as a facility," he says. "They did a great job with track considering all the rain they've had."
The Tim and Gina Doogs SuperClean #21 team will head north to Knoxville Raceway and take on the World of Outlaws this Saturday night. They will try to get in a practice session on Friday at the "Sprint Car Capital of the World". "Any time you race with the World of Outlaws, you've got your hands full," says Brian. "There may be 20 guys that could win on Saturday night. We'll get some practice in on Friday, and maybe get a few laps in there before they come to town. Those guys haven't had as many races under their belt as they usually do, so the disparity in seat time won't be as much as usual for the locals."
Brian is Adopted…
…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 will be calling in on Monday mornings during the race season to keep them apprised of their adopted driver (him). 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 soon be ordered at Brian's website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), www.Racingthreads.com, or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
Michael from Kankakee, IL asks: What is your ideal track size? What are your favorite tracks?
Brian answers: I think my ideal track size would be right around what Knoxville is, a half-mile. I like it a black slick, where it comes back into the driver's hands a little bit and you have to use both feet. As far as my favorite tracks, I'd have to say Knoxville, I-80 Speedway (NE), Sedalia (MO) and McCool Junction (NE). Obviously, those are tracks that I've done well at too, so that plays into it. One thing I do have to work on as my career progresses is the rough, heavy bullrings. They're not my forte. I don't know if it's the way I drive them, or our setup, but we're working to get it figured out.
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
According to www.OpenWheelTimes.com, 41 of Brian's 66 career wins (62%) have come in the last three seasons. Those wins came in six states (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas) and two Australian provinces (Tasmania, Victoria). They spanned six sanctions (ESTS, WOW, ASCS, ASCS-Midwest, ASCS-Northern Plains, NCRA) and included unsanctioned racing at Outlaw Motor Speedway and Knoxville Raceway.
SuperClean
SuperClean is the "super product" for your home, auto, outdoor and marine cleaning jobs. Whether it be 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, Big Ox, 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 action at Lucas Oil Speedway (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
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