[i (Bill W) August 4, 2009]
It’s the busiest time of the year for a sprint car driver, and this week will be no different. Brian Brown will attempt to win his first Arnold Motor Supply 360 Nationals this week at the Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. He will qualify on Friday night with the 360, and pull double duty on Saturday with the 410. A second place finish in last week’s 410 feature at Knoxville has the SuperClean #21 in a good place heading into Nationals time.
Last Saturday, Brian timed in quickest in the 35-car 410 field at Knoxville. “Quick time isn’t what you want with the weekly format we have now, but this time of year, you want to keep up on the wheel and get prepared for the Nationals,” he says. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure we qualify well in a couple weeks.”
Brian settled in the fifth and final transfer spot in the heat after a mechanical issue slowed his progress. “We were up to fourth, and I thought we may get some more, but we ended up breaking a valve spring,” says the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. “The guys did a great job of changing motors after the heat getting it ready for the feature.”
With a draw of six for the invert, Brian started the 20-lapper outside of row three. He battled with several contenders including Billy Alley, Johnny Herrera, Dusty Zomer and Randy Hannagan before surging to second behind Terry McCarl. That’s where he would be when the checkers flew. “It was a good battle to get up to second,” he says. “Late in the race, I thought we had something for Terry. He wasn’t any faster than us, and the opposite was true too. I was hoping he’d make a mistake, but he’s a great driver, and guys like that don’t usually make mistakes.”
Thursday saw a rare trip to the Belleville High Banks in North Central Kansas. The All Star Circuit of Champions had Belleville on their schedule for “Thunder through the Plains.” “We’d been to Belleville in a 360, but going there with a 410 was really fun,” says Brian. “That’s the fastest I’ll ever go in a sprint car, I’m sure. It was pretty cool to be there the same night that the midgets were running. I’ve never got to see that.”
With scary speeds and track records dropping like tacky clay from the sky, Brian timed in 11th, and finished the 30-lap feature in eighth. “We went out a little late in qualifying, and the heat went fine in third,” he remembers. “We put the softest possible tire on (Hoosier SC12), and we were able to drive up to sixth from eleventh. I think the tire went away a bit, and we ended up eighth.”
Brian will qualify on Friday for the 360 Nationals before tackling double duty on Saturday. He will be sporting a special FVP scheme for the 360 Nationals. “I’m pumped going into the 360 Nationals,” he says. “At the end last year, I feel we had the fastest car (winning the B and surging to second). We really want to get on top of the podium for the folks at SuperClean, FVP and the rest of our supporters and fans.”
Brian To Flag “Dollars for Scholars” 1/3 Marathon Saturday
Brian will wave the green flag on the Dollars for Scholars chapter 1/3 marathon on Saturday morning. Brian will also be on hand signing autographs and taking pictures in Victory Lane. The event kicks off at Knoxville’s Auld Park at 8 a.m. and benefits Knoxville High School students. Pella Corporation’s Rollscreen Foundation is presenting the event. Brian is proud to have Pella Corporation on board as an associate sponsor for both the 360 and 410 Nationals this year.
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
Janet Meyer asks: Do you put a lot of thought into what night you are going to qualify for the 360 and 410 Nationals?
Brian answers: Not usually. We just want to be on a night where we are sure we have all the work done that we need to. No matter what night you are on, you usually see it as the tough one. No matter what, you have to beat them all on Saturday. If we get the FVP Maxim right, we’ll be on top of the podium Saturday night.
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’s record in the finales for the 360 Nationals are actually better than his preliminary results. In nine prelims, he has just two top fives, five top tens and one podium finish, but in the eight 360 Nationals A mains he has competed in on Saturday, he has accumulated four top fives, six top tens and three podium finishes. His best finish was last year, when he came through the B main to finish second.
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 – Housby Trucks
Since 1969, Housby has been known for the quality of new and used trucks they sell and their excellent customer service. What started out primarily as a Mack Truck dealership has grown into a conglomerate of vertically integrated businesses that share synergy by bringing multiple services to their customers. Businesses include Housby Mack, Inc., Housby Mixer Group, Housby Truck Lube, Vocon Remarketing, Second Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – WSIB Insurance
WSIB Motorsports Insurance is committed to being the most trusted motorsports insurance authority. Their exclusive products allow them to innovate for the specific needs of clients and provide high touch service and knowledge. Their Insurance markets are known for their financial strength and stability. Their commitment to the motorsports industry allows them to provide cutting edge policy wording, competitive pricing and responsive claims handling. WSIB can access and provide solutions for most insurance coverage. Please contact them with any of your insurance needs. You can find them on the web at www.WSIBInsurance.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!
- Bill Wright on Aug 04, 2009
- Article Date: 8/4/2009