[i (Bill W) August 17, 2009]
Brian Brown locked himself into his second career A main at the 49th Annual SuperClean Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. The accomplishment capped off Cox Design and Metal Fabrication Iowa Speedweeks, in which the Grain Valley, Missouri driver ended up second in the “Mr. Sprint Car” standings. This week, he’ll head to the Jackson Nationals on Friday and Saturday in Jackson, Minnesota before returning to Sedalia’s (MO) State Fair Speedway for a date with ASCS-Midwest and WOW on Sunday.
Brian first competed last week in Monday’s Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. “We wanted to support Terry’s (McCarl) race over there,” he says. “He’s done a good job of promoting that event. We want to support the 410 racing in our area.”
Brian qualified 16th, and then finished third in the heat. After a lengthy rain delay, the race turned into a high speed single-file game, and the SuperClean #21 would finish 11th. “The track was nice and wide in the heat, but then the rain came,” he says. “That really put a damper on things, as far as our chances of moving up through the field.”
A strange looking track awaited Brian’s qualifying efforts on Thursday at the Nationals. He timed in an uncharacteristic 21st. “The track was unlike any we’ve seen at Knoxville this year,” he says. “We’ve qualified really well this year, and we’ve been working towards the Nationals. The track ended up being greasy on the bottom and slick in the middle. Where we usually run, the left rear groove was in slop, and the right rear was in the slick. The fastest way was really around the cushion.”
Brian wasn’t the only one baffled. “Guys like Kerry (Madsen), Bronson (Maeschen), Terry (McCarl) and I who usually qualify well, were way back in the pack,” he says. “I think we were all caught off guard a bit there, and it showed. They pushed us out the backstretch, and that was tough, because we never got to see turn one before we ran it. That’s a huge deal too.”
Brian started fourth in his heat, and took the lead immediately, leading every lap. “We were fortunate enough to win the heat,” he says. “In the A, we had a great start up to fifth or sixth (from 10th), and then we went two laps and they threw the yellow for a complete restart. I didn’t agree with that.”
The 2007 track champion held his own in the feature, ending up tenth. “We ran ninth for awhile, and we were in a good battle with Dale Blaney,” he says. “The car and motor were really good; we were just buried back there battling with a good driver like Dale and we ended up tenth.”
Brian secured enough points to lock himself into Saturday’s finale inside row ten. When the rains hit that night, things were postponed to Sunday. He settled in for the 40-lap finale. “A 40-lap race is a long time,” he says. “I was trying to bide my time with the tires early on. We were picking and choosing our battles, and not pressing the issue. We were able to pass Danny (Lasoski) and (Jac) Haudenschild, and I think they ended up tenth or eleventh, so I think we definitely had a shot at a top ten finish. We lost a cylinder there, and we really don’t know why yet.”
The DNF was unfortunate, but Brian will chalk it up to experience. During the week, he was able to appear at several functions and autograph sessions for his sponsors SuperClean and FVP. “It’s fun to go out and mingle with the fans and talk about our great product,” he says. “I appreciate everyone who came out and saw us, and took advantage of the coupons we were giving out. SuperClean was even there with the ponchos when it started to rain on Saturday.”
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
Pat Christianson asks: As a car owner, how much do you spend on a typical race night at Knoxville?
Brian answers: When you figure in maintenance on the motor, tires, fuel and everything, you have to figure in the neighborhood of $1,500 per night. Knoxville does a great job with their tire rule. You use the same one, and don’t have to bolt a new one on for every race.
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 three top fives and five A main starts at Jackson Speedway in Minnesota, but he is seeking his first win there. Last year’s second place run in the Jackson Nationals is his best result. Billy Alley won that event, with Brian in second, followed by Wayne Johnson, Gregg Bakker and Johnn Cressman.
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 – Champion Brands
An industry leader for over 50 years, Champion Brands, LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets. Champion Brands, LLC understands the complexities of doing business in today’s market and is always looking for new and better ways to make your company more efficient and increase your bottom line. Quality products are more than a commitment at Champion; our high standards define the way we do business.
Champion is headquartered in Clinton, Missouri and is in its fourth year supporting Brian Brown. Brian used 75/90 synthetic gear oil and 25/90 synthetic racing oil from Champion to win the 2007 Knoxville Raceway track championship!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Impact Sign and Lighting
The goal at Impact Sign and Lighting is to make selecting the right sign and lighting for your business a simple process for you. Impact can design, create, and install virtually any type of sign on awnings, poles, buildings and much more including racecars, of course! They will work with you from conception to completion and make sure you are completely satisfied. We'll give you personalized service, expert consultation, quick turnarounds, and reasonable pricing. Impact Sign and Lighting are responsible for the graphics on the SuperClean #21. Check out their website at www.Impact4800.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!
[b Photo - A busy week left little time to rest (Doug Johnson Photo)]
- Bill Wright on Aug 18, 2009
- Article Date: 8/18/2009