[i (Bill W) August 10, 2009]
Two second place finishes highlighted a good start to Cox Metal Design and Fabrication Iowa Speedweeks for Brian Brown. A fifth place finish in the Arnold Motor Supply 360 Nationals amongst 111 competitors capped the weekend for the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. The pinnacle of the 410 season lies ahead this week as the 49th Annual SuperClean Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil kicks off!
A 16th quick effort made the rest of Friday’s qualifying night for the 360 Nationals imperative to Brian and the FVP #21 team. “We had qualified well with the 410, but we just haven’t run 360s as much this year,” he says. “The car we ran, we had only run once when we won over at I-80 (Speedway in Nebraska). We just missed it a bit on both laps, it was a little tight.”
After running second in his heat race, Brian locked himself on the pole for the 20-lap main event. After leading most of the way, Terry McCarl was able to shoot under him in the final corner, relegating him to second at the checkers. “We were able to get out there and lead for 19 ¾ laps,” says Brian. “We were just out there kind of cruising along. We were working well and so was the motor. Terry (McCarl) was just able to sneak by us there at the end. It was a frustrating way to lose it that way, but I’m guessing there were 57 other cars who would have liked to be in my position.”
Locking himself in Saturday night’s finale was important, as double duty in two classes was in order. The 360 Nationals main event was run last on Saturday night, and Brian lined up inside row five. “We set the car up a little free, and the track blew off in the 360 main a little more than I thought it would,” he says of his run. “We had our hands tied a bit, and there wasn’t much I could do with the car at that point.”
In the end, Brian would surge after a late restart and finish fifth. “Ninth to fifth wasn’t bad,” he says. “I wish our car could have been better. Right in front of us was Wayne (Johnson), Billy (Alley) and Jason (Johnson) within a stone’s throw. With things going our way, we would have definitely had a shot at the podium.”
Brian registered the 13th quickest time of the night amongst a stout 42-car 410 field on Saturday. He cruised to a third place finish in his heat, but there was a problem brewing. “We had a leak in the heat race, and we weren’t sure what it was,” he says. “One of the guys thought our power steering line was loose. I put some extra tear-offs on for the feature just in case. I borrowed some gloves from Jonathan Cornell.”
There was more in Brian’s hands than the race he was running after starting up front. “We took the green and the fluid was blowing on me at the flagstand,” he laments. “From there on out, we were using about four tear-offs every lap. More than anything, it took my concentration away. I knew that sooner or later, it was going to quit.”
Brian led the first eight laps. The eighth lap saw him exchange the lead with McCarl, who took the point for good a circuit later. Brian kept the SuperClean #21 in second the rest of the way. “I really think if we didn’t have that problem, that we would have won the race,” he says. “Terry didn’t have a problem, and we did, so he’s the one who ended up winning. It (power steering) totally went away with two laps to go, so I was happy to finish where we did.”
Brian will race in the Front Row Challenge tonight, and he will definitely be ready for Thursday’s qualifying effort at the SuperClean Knoxville Nationals. “We’ve hurt two motors recently, so to do as well as we did is good going into the Nationals,” he says. “To come up with two seconds and a fifth to start Cox Design and Metal Fabrication Iowa Speedweeks is a good thing. If we can add a couple more top fives, I think we’ll be happy.”
The Brian Brown Racing SuperClean #21 team deserves a lot of praise too. “I’m proud of our guys,” says Brian. “The way they handled two cars, the fiasco with the power steering and everything, it’s just a tough deal.”
Appearances During Nationals Week
Today, Brian will be signing autographs at the Oskaloosa Casey’s from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. He will be signing autographs with the SuperClean show car on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at O’Reilly Auto Parts across from the track from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He’ll be signing autographs each day from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. He’ll be signing at the FMP hospitality tent from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. In addition, he’ll be appearing at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum as part of the “Knoxville Regulars: Defending the Home Turf” Fan Forum from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Website
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
T-shirts are available and can be ordered at Brian’s website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
Bill W asks: How do you like your chances going into the SuperClean Knoxville Nationals?
Brian answers: We’re as confident as we’ve ever been, and this is the strongest team I’ve ever had. Everybody is working hard, and working together. It’s going to take a perfect week with me driving, and a perfect week with the guys working on the car. I think we can do it. Our goal is to qualify well and get a good starting spot in the A. If we do that, we have as good a chance as anyone to win it. You want to go in with confidence, and we have that.
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 hopes to best his effort at the 2007 Nationals when he ran from 23rd to 13th, winning hard-charger honors in his first career start in the Nationals finale. Brian pocketed $9,250 on the night after the finish, and his run from 10th up to third in the 22-lap B main. He finished 14th in his preliminary feature that year.
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:
Tire Gloss
Get a showroom shine every time! Rejuvenate your tires with SuperClean Tire Gloss. Our unique formula clings to tires, giving them a long-lasting luster while protecting against dirt, dust and road grime.
Accuvision
When wet weather hits, rest assured that SuperClean AccuVision will help you drive safely by keeping your windshield clear and the road in sight! Our advanced technology improves visibility by repelling rain, sleet, and snow without any rubbing, buffing or waxing. Use it on any glass surface for a long-lasting, high-quality treatment.
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.
Car Wash
Use SuperClean Car Wash for the shine your car deserves.
See Heather at a grandstand entrance near you or visit the team’s trailer to get your free sample! SuperClean is available at Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Casey’s, Menard's, Mills Fleet Farm, O'Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, Pep Boys, Wal-Mart, and many other fine retailers, to find a retailer near you, visit www.SuperClean.com/where.php.
Factory Value Parts
Factory Value Parts 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.fvparts.com/locator.php!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Maxim Racing
Brian has been partnering with Maxim since 2003. After years of success as a car owner, Chuck Merrill started his chassis business in a rented three-bay garage in November of 1988. The first car was driven by Johnny Herrera at the Florida All Stars Sprint Week in February of 1989. By June of that year, Maxim moved into a 7,000 square foot facility. By 2001, Maxim had grown substantially producing 304 chassis that year. In 2002, Maxim moved to its present 12,500 square foot location in Springfield, Illinois. Maxim continues to offer their customers unmatched service and support, and currently has 17 quality employees, and builds over 400 chassis on an annual basis. Their world-famous "K-car" was designed for Steve Kinser, and has won ten Knoxville Nationals titles and fourteen World of Outlaws championships! To top it all, Maxim offers a warranty if you are not completely satisfied with your car. For more information on Maxim, visit www.racemaxims.com!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – NOS Energy Drinks
Brian has been associated with NOS since 2008. NOS Energy Drink is the premier High Performance energy drink. NOS is available in 16 oz. cans (regular, sugar-free, fruit punch and grape) and 11 and 22 oz. bottles. NOS is also available in their new two oz. "Power Shot" form. Power shot has the same level of Caffeine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Inositol and Panax Ginseng found in an 8oz serving of NOS Energy Drink. Plus, NOS PowerShot contains a special formulation of elevated levels of Niacin, Vitamin B6 and B12 than those found in regular NOS Energy Drink. Be sure to stop by Brian's trailer for a sample, and visit www.DrinkNOS.com!
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Brian" in the subject line.
Brian would like to thank SuperClean, Ditzfeld Transfer, Searsboro Telephone Company, www.FaxMeService.com, Housby Trucks, Maxim Racing, Champion Racing XP, NOS Energy Drink, Smiley’s Race Products, Impact Sign and Lighting, Arctic Cat, Michael Ross Memorial Foundation, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Weld Wheels, Bell Helmets, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Engler Machine, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, Winters Performance Products, 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, WSIB Insurance and Rubbin’ Repair for all their help!
Photo - Brian in the FVP #21 360 (IBRACN Photo)
- Bill Wright on Aug 10, 2009
- Article Date: 8/10/2009