(Bill W) May 28, 2013 – To run in the same spot for four straight races is definitely against all odds. Unfortunately, for Brian Brown and the Casey’s General Stores/FVP #21 team that spot was second. Still, it was an extremely solid run, and they’ll look for a win in Salina, Kansas or Knoxville, Iowa this weekend.
Things started with a heat win at Valley Speedway in your hometown of Grain Valley, Missouri on Thursday.
We knew we were going to have our hands full with Wayne (Johnson) on the pole. He always runs well. He actually got to turn one first. We were able to get around him, which is really important for the rest of the night.
The redraw saw you starting inside row three for the feature.
We were able to settle in to fifth or sixth there. Most were running the bottom and middle, and we made the decision to go upstairs to see if we could make something happen. It cleaned up enough that we could run around there.
You were able to drive around some people and work your way towards the front.
We were able to get to third. Danny (Lasoski) and Johnny (Herrera) were out there. Johnny was going well. We were able to run him down, and right before a caution about halfway through, I got a good run on him off of four. I let off a bit. I didn’t want him to hear me, and the yellow came out. He must have heard me, because after the green came out, he went to the top. Sometimes, it happens that way, especially when you get someone as smart as Johnny, who’s been around it as long as he has.
It ended with you and Johnny in a classic battle for the win.
He and I were able to get by Danny. Johnny and I had a heck of a race for a while. It was fun to race him good and clean like that. I felt if I could have made a slide job stick, we could have won. I never got it to stick and we were second. I think it was a lot of fun for the crowd. They enjoyed it. It was a good way to start Memorial Day weekend.
At I-80 Speedway on Thursday, you were able to hit the top of the track and win your heat from sixth.
It seems at time we can go to the top when no one else can. We knew if we were going to move forward, we had to move around. I didn’t think we’d be able to catch Wayne. He was a half a straight ahead of us or something. We were able to get him in the last corner, and that’s saying something getting by someone like Wayne. We knew the car and motor were working well.
The redraw didn’t go as well, and you started eighth in the main event. It was another good race, but you settled for second behind Danny.
We were able to get up to third on the first lap. I was running the top there, and saw Danny out of the corner of my eye. I went to the bottom in one and two and he got back by us. That was maybe the race right there. There just wasn’t enough on the top. If there were a little more up there, maybe we would have had a shot at him or make it a better race. Jason (Johnson), Wayne and I had a good race the majority of the way through there. We’ve had a lot of success there, but we’ve lost five in a row there now, which is no fun.
You won your third heat in a row (after starting third) Friday at McCool Junction in Nebraska.
I was able to get to second pretty quickly, and Jason Danley was out front on the start. I was able to get by him on a restart with three or four laps to go.
You drew outside row two for the feature.
Jack (Dover) started on the front row, and the track was pretty “hammer down”. You could go as hard as you ever want to go. He got off to a good start. We chased him down late in lapped traffic. I had a shot with two to go, but I got over the cushion and almost got in the fence. It just wasn’t meant to be.
So what were you thinking after three seconds in a row?
It’s disappointing more than anything. Most drivers would love to be in that position, but our mentality is such that it’s disappointing if we don’t win. We need to figure out a way to win these things.
With Knoxville rained out, you went to an open show Saturday at LA Raceway in Lamonte, Missouri.
It’s always good to race close to home. We get to race in front of the people from Champion brands, Ditzfeld Transfer and Impact Signs (Impact4800.com). They are big supporters who don’t get to see us race around there often enough.
It sounds like the heat race was adventurous. You started sixth.
I got my left front brake line knocked off right away. I almost crashed and took Miranda Arnold out because I didn’t have brakes. I was out of control before I figured out how to race the car. We were able to get to third eventually.
You started seventh in the feature. You were second again.
We knew we would have our work cut out for us with some good cars in front of us. We were able to get to second pretty quick. Jonathan (Cornell) got out to a good lead. I think we lapped up to fourth. It was pretty exciting and hairy sometimes in lapped traffic. Jonathan did a really good job, and didn’t make any mistakes in traffic.
What are your plans this weekend?
We’re looking to go to Salina, Kansas on Friday with ASCS, and then head to Knoxville and run the 410 for sure there. We’ll see how things shake out, we may run the 360 also.
It can be a grind running that many nights in a row.
It’s grueling and tough to run four nights in a row. I’m proud of Chad Morgan, Travis Marsch, Greg King, Mark Clemons, Grandpa (George Lasoski) and Glen Wignall. Those guys worked their butts off to give us a car capable of winning every night. Even though we didn’t get a win, they will come and we need to hold our heads high about four straight seconds.
Follow Brian on the Web, Twitter and Facebook!
Follow Brian at his website located at www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
Also keep up with FVP, Casey’s and Brian on Facebook and Twitter at the following links…
Twitter Links – @BrianBrown21, @FVPRacing, @CaseysGenStores
Facebook Links
Brian Brown Racing – www.facebook.com/pages/Brian-Brown-Racing/200630163294222
Casey’s General Stores – www.facebook.com/pages/Caseys-General-Stores/112073528804354
FVP Racing - http://www.facebook.com/FVPRacing?ref=ts&fref=ts
Other Web site info
Casey's: www.caseys.com
FVP: www.fvpparts.com
Brown’s Bits
Hopefully, the four second place finishes this weekend weren’t a trend and Brian can climb one more spot and find himself in Victory Lane this weekend. Last year, Brian had seventeen second place finishes.
About Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores is a Fortune-500 company (NASDAQ CASY) operating nearly 1700 convenience stores in 11 states through the Midwest. Known for its “Homemade-To-Go” pizza, sandwiches, donuts and bakery items, Casey’s strives to consistently deliver quality gas, fresh kitchen-prepared food, clean environments and friendly service at every retail location. Casey’s is currently the 12th largest c-store chain and sixth largest pizza chain in the United States.
About FVP
We are very excited to introduce our new line of automotive chemicals, oils and fluids to our product offering. These new products will be available at many retailers across the country. We continue to offer a full line of high quality oil, air, cabin air and fuel filters, plus a complete line of high quality batteries for multiple applications including cars, trucks, SUV’s, commercial and other specialty vehicles. All products are made to OE manufacturer fitment specifications. FVP products are engineered to provide our customers with quality products that are equal or superior in performance to the major national brands at a competitive price. To learn more about our FVP products or to find out where you can have FVP products installed in your vehicle, visit us at www.FVPparts.com! FVP…The Confident Solution
SPLASH
In addition to our line of seasonal safety products, we are very excited to introduce a full line of SPLASH Wiper Blades. Our SafeView Performance Blades fit 95% of the vehicles on the road with quick and easy installation for everyone. The AccuVision Beam Blade offers memory curve steel, which provides uniform pressure for a clear wipe, without the streaks. Look for these great new SPLASH products! 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 are what you need! Check out our new SPLASH website at www.SPLASHWash.com! SPLASH…SEE SAFELY!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Maxim Racing
Brian says, “Chuck and Karen Merrill are not only great people, but they put everything into putting the best car out on the market. I’ve always been a supporter of theirs, and with Brian Brown Racing, you’ll always see their chassis.”
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 – Magtech
Brian says – “For four years, we’ve been using Ed Starr at Magtech for all of our mags. We have used his coil wires and plug wires with no failures. If you have a problem with your mag, or just want it checked out, Ed is the guy.”
The professionals at MagTech Ignition provide repair service for all of your ignition needs. From MSD to Mallory to any and all ignition boxes and plug wires. If you are off track, let the professionals at MagTech get you back on the lead lap and in the winners’ circle. They have over 20 years of ignition experience. Visit them on the web at www.MagtechIgnition.com!
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, FVP, Searsboro Telephone Company, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, SPLASH, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, www.RateWin.com, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, Vortex Wings, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, AkzoNobel Sikkens, AllDayParts.com, Tru Square, Jack Links, Deli Express, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Racing Optics, Mothers Wax, Don's Truck Wash, Gardner Farms, Hoosier Tires, GoPro, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, ADD, 6B Apparel, Zips Energy Seeds, Bosch, NGK, Garrett Racing Engines, MSD and WSIB Insurance for all their support!
Attached: Brian at Valley Speedway (John Lee – High Fly’N Photo)
- Admin Account on May 28, 2013
- Article Date: 5/28/2013 by Bill Wright