5/3/2010
Sprint Source
Brian Brown – Sidelined!
(Bill W) May 3, 2010 – Another season opened at the historic Knoxville Raceway on Saturday for Brian Brown and the FVP #21 team. Things were going great until feature time, when a mechanical issue sidelined the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. This week, Brian will compete at Sedalia and again at Knoxville, where the IRA comes to town.
Brian took advantage of coming out early in the order to set quick time during qualifications on Saturday. “With the points counting in qualifying again (45 for QT), you want to be quick time,” he says. “A lot of times, it’s not about me, but about the good Ostrich Racing Engine, and the Maxim chassis we have. We were lucky enough to get a good lap in.”
Starting sixth in his heat, it didn’t take long for Brian to get to the front and run away with the 8-lapper. “You definitely have to get up on the wheel in the heats, because every position is worth points,” he says. “We had a good start, and we were able to get to third by turn two. We were able to get by (Bob) Weuve for second on the back chute, and then eventually put a slider on Rager (Phillips) in one and two for the lead.”
A little luck came into play, when Brian drew a six for the feature inversion (out of 6, 8, 10 or 12). “It was pretty clear sailing from there on out (in the heat),” he says. “We were able to see where the car was good, and where it was bad on the track. We felt we had a good grasp of what was going on, and we were lucky enough to draw a six pill for the inversion in the feature.”
Was there a need for adjustments before feature-time, on a well prepared track? “The Maxim chassis has been really good, and we haven’t been changing much on setup to be honest,” says the 2007 Knoxville champion. “We may change a bar here or there, or adjust the stagger, but that’s about it.”
Things started well in the feature, as Brian surged forward. On lap three, it all ended abruptly. “We were able to get to third by turns three and four on the first lap,” he says. “Unfortunately, we dropped a cylinder there. I think something happened with the cam or lifters. Six rocker arms were loose on the right side and allowed a push rod to come out.”
Though he fell out of the feature, a good early start to the night only had Brian falling to eighth in the point standings after night one. “It was really unfortunate to have that good of a night going, and have something bad like that happen,” he says. “Fortunately, we were able to maximize our points in qualifying and the heat. That helps the point situation a little bit, but at the end of the day, we want to win the race and take the trophy home.”
The Interstate Racing Association will join the Knoxville regulars this Saturday, and a healthy field of 410 sprinters will be on hand. “We’ve dug ourselves a small hole, but we’ll be back to take on the IRA again this week,” says Brian. “We can’t afford another DNF, so we’ll be ready.”
Brian also talks about his choice to run the 360 at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri this Friday night. Politics is running rampant with two tracks. “Sedalia will be paying $2,000 to win this week,” he says. “That’s the good side. The bad side is the WOW is in LaMonte that night about five miles away. At the end of the day, if Sedalia’s paying $2,000 we’re going after that. I feel for the fans in having to make a choice though.”
Follow Brian and FVP Racing on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!
The FVP marketing team has launched a Twitter page, a Facebook page, and a Youtube page (make sure to subscribe to all!) to keep up to date with Brian and FVP racing! You can become a fan and follow along by clicking on the links below:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fvpracing
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2rakgn
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fvpracing
Web site
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
Catch Brian at the track for the new t-shirt, and it will also be up on the website soon!
Brian's Q&A
Dexter Schutte asks: You have run well with the Outlaws the last couple of years. Is one of your goals still to run with them full-time in the future?
Brian answers: If I had all the money in the world, I’m not sure I’d follow any one series. There is so much travel, and to make any money at all, you need to run in the top two or three every night. If the right situation came along, that was long-term and I had time to learn the tracks, it would be a good thing. We’ve been working hard to get our program on that level, but there’s a whole different pace in racing with the Outlaws. When you come back to a local level, that pace gives you a big boost. Lately, it’s been working well for us, and we’d like to turn those top fives and top tens with the Outlaws into a win.
Got a question for Brian? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Brian" in your subject line.
Brown's Bits
Brian has not been outstanding in Knoxville season openers over the years, and last weekend will add to the list. In the ten prior season openers at Knoxville, he has won once, finished in the top five just four times and in the top ten just five times. His openers include a 7th in the B main in 2000 (R19), a blown motor in hot laps in 2001 (3), a 2nd place in the 360 in 2002 (3), an 11th in a WoO feature in 2003 (6), a 16th with the WoO in 2004 (6), a 3rd place finish in 2005 (21), an 11th in 2006 (21), a win in 2007 (21), a 26th with the WoO in 2008 (21) and a 4th with the WoO in 2009 (21).
FVP
FVP specializes in the battery that you need. They know it has to be tough and priced right. They have a line of high-performance batteries for SUVs, trucks, cars and other specialty vehicles that give you quality without breaking the bank. To find a dealer near you, visit them on the web at www.FVPparts.com!
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!
Splash
Whether it’s keeping your windshield clean or free of ice, protecting your RV, boat or pool from freezing in the winter, or your sidewalk safe to walk on, Splash Products from SuperClean are what you need! Click on the “Splash Products” link at www.SuperClean.com!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Ditzfeld Transfer
Brian says, “Ditzfeld Transfer is a family deal. Ronnie and his sons were our very first sponsor. They haul our motors, and if I would need anything hauled across the country, I would call them first.”
Ditzfeld Transfer has been with Brian since the start of his racing career, and was his first sponsor. The Sedalia based family owned trucking business has been in operation for over 45 years, and has a commitment to maintaining the highest level of service. Currently, Ditzfeld Transfer utilizes more than 50 power units and 160 trailers. To learn more about Ditzfeld Transfer, visit www.DitzfeldTransfer.com!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Paul’s Auto Body Supply
Brian says – “Paul’s Auto Body Supply out of Kansas City has been a big supporter of ours the past three or four years. They provide us with paint and painting supplies so Greg can do the painting on our cars. They are a big help.”
Paul’s Auto Body Supply is located 1331 Woodswether Road in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact them for PPG finishes, Fleet and Industrial Coatings and a complete line of auto body supplies. Contact them at 816 471-4230 today!
Brian would like to thank FVP, SuperClean, Splash, Ditzfeld Transfer, Searsboro Telephone Company, www.FaxMeService.com, Housby Trucks, Maxim Racing, Champion Brands, My State Insurance Rates, Smiley’s Race Products, Impact Sign and Lighting, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Weld Wheels, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, A1 Mortgage, Rockwell Security, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Engler Machine, Vortex Wings, Ostrich Racing Engines, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Don's Truck Wash, Gardner Farms, Hoosier Tires, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, www.Impact4800.com and WSIB Insurance for all their help!
Submitted By: Bill Wright
