(Bill W) July 13, 2009 – No one has ever won the Knoxville track championship on Twin Features Night, but not making the show can definitely knock you out of contention. Despite coming into the night with the point lead, and leaving in second, Brian Brown survived a DNF, and is poised for the rest of the season, and the last six point races.
The Grain Valley, Missouri driver started things with the second quick time of the night. “Qualifying last night was crucial, because we lined straight up by our times in the first feature,” he says. “Going out early helped us the way the track was.”
He raced from sixth to third in his heat to grab a transfer spot, but it wasn’t easy. “Our heat was tough,” says Brian. “After I saw (Terry) McCarl not make a transfer spot, I knew I would have to be up on the wheel to start up front, rather than 16th or 17th. We had a really good field of cars Saturday…we always do…but last night we had a few extras, so it was good to get transferred. Chad (Kemenah) was in front of us, and we could have made a move on him, but sometimes when you slide around on those tires, they won’t be there for you in the feature.”
With quick qualifier, McCarl, having to go through the B, Brian inherited the pole for the first 20-lap main event. “You don’t want to jump the gun on the start, and Dusty (Zomer) was starting so high outside of us, that the wing was in my way of seeing him,” he says. “He got a bit of a jump on us, and we had a good battle there for a lap or so before we were able to pull away.”
Brian’s car began smoking on lap five, and continued until lap 15, when he finally came to a stop. He had built over a four second lead. “I think we had them covered,” says the 2007 track champion. “I thought it might have been a valve cover, you just aren’t sure when something like that happens. The oil pressure looked o.k. so I kept going. It turns out that a piece in the oil pan that holds it on fell off, and that was letting the oil out. It’s just bad luck. I’ve never had anything like that happen and it’s no one’s fault. Lee Nelson builds the best engine (Ostrich) I’ve ever had. He’ll try to have it back to us by the weekend.”
The Brian Brown SuperClean #21 team had to do some quick work to change powerplants before the second feature. “Hats off to our crew,” says Brian. “We didn’t think we’d be changing a motor, at least at that time of night, and they did a great job. We had no chance to take a look at the track and change anything else on the car. The other engine was running just as well as the first.”
No changes necessary. For awhile, it looked like Brian was headed straight to the front again from his starting spot inside row eight. “We really rolled through there,” he says of his run. “We chased down (Johnny) Herrera and McCarl and got to watch their battle with Scott Winters in a front row seat. I thought we had a chance to even win the thing. Then I jumped over the cushion there and smacked the wall. That broke the Jacob’s ladder and bent a right rear wheel, so we were pretty much done at that time. We came in with a flat right rear after the race, so we were lucky to finish where we did (7th).”
The slick track conditions played to Brian’s favor. “The Dunkin family did a great job with the track,” he says. “It’s been one of the few times this year that Mother Nature hasn’t played the biggest part in the way the track turned out. Saturday, it was slick all the way to the fence. You can’t complain there. Even if the top is the fastest way, the fans will get to see some slide jobs. That’s good for the people paying their hard-earned money in the grandstands. The majority of the times, the track guys get it right.”
Despite having his three-race weekly win streak broken, Brian will try for his fourth of the season this week. “All in all, it definitely wasn’t the night we wanted, but there are five point races left and plenty of time to get back on top,” he says. “All you can do is keeping working hard in the shop, and we’ll keep plugging away like we have been.”
[b Website]
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
[b T-shirts]
T-shirts are available and can be ordered at Brian’s website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), or catch us at the races!
[b Brian's Q&A]
Bobby Carpenter from Des Moines, IA asks: How much does doing double duty like on the Saturday of 360 Nationals take out of you?
Brian answers: We’ve done that quite a bit over the years. When we’ve done it at Sedalia in the past at the Michael Ross Memorial with the World of Outlaws and the WOW, it’s been a bit harder to be honest. There you have to run two full shows, and it’s usually hot and humid. I usually feel worse the next day. It depends on the weather. At Knoxville in August, it could be 100 or it could be 60. Also, if you do your job at the 360 Nationals, you should just have to hot lap and run the A main. Last year, we ran the B with the 360, jumped into the 410 for the A right away, and finished up going from 21st to 2nd in the 360. That’s about 55 laps, and I was fine after that. I pride myself in staying in good shape, so that helps too.
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.
[u Brown's Bits ]
Brian’s win at Knoxville was the 15th in his career in the 410 class at the “Sprint Car Capital of the World”. That moves him into a tie for 19th on the all-time win list with Kerry Madsen, and moves him past Bud McCune, Johnny “Lightning” Stevenson and “Magic” Mike Brooks.
[b 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!
[u SuperClean Products include:]
[b 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.
[b 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.
[b 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.
[b 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.
[b 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 Casey’s, Wal-Mart, Autozone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts or to find a retailer near you, visit www.SuperClean.com/where.php.
[b 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!
[b Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Brown and Miller Racing Solutions]
Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, formerly known as Icore Autosport, is a company 100% dedicated to motorsport. With over 40 years experience in the aerospace and motorsport industries, their engineers assist you in building the best system for your racecar. They are committed to getting you the parts you want with the service you expect at the best possible value. Their lightweight range of hose satisfies virtually every racing application and fittings are designed for safety, reliability and optimum weight saving. With their industry standard ProGold convoluted hose system, Smoothbore hose and Adaptor ranges, they have the complete system. To further complement these products, they can also provide custom engineered fittings designed to optimize hose installations where standard fittings may not be suitable. Visit them on the web today at www.bmrs.net!
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 Brake Fluid, Schoenfeld Headers, www.Impact4800.com, WSIB Insurance and Rubbin’ Repair for all their help!
Photo -
Brian races with Bronson Maeschen at Knoxville (Dave Hill Racing Image)
- Bill Wright on Jul 13, 2009
- Article Date: 7/13/2009