Brian Brown – 2014 in Review – Part 2 of 3!
(Bill W) December 2, 2014 – In part two of Brian’s season review, we focus on Southern Iowa Sprintweek, where the Grain Valley, Missouri driver was awarded the Cox Design “Jesse Hockett” Mr. Sprintcar Award. In addition to winning his first 360 Nationals, Brian ran second in the Capitani Classic, won his second Front Row Challenge in a row at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, won his Nationals preliminary night and finished second at the Knoxville Nationals for the third straight year.
Before Southern Iowa Sprintweek began, you had some roadblocks.
Leading up to the Nationals, we had some adversity again. It was just a testament to our team again. I felt a couple weeks prior, we were setting quick times and winning our heats from sixth….we were primed. We were in contention to win every night. Then, the week before the 360 Nationals, we were in contention to take the weekly point lead despite taking a week off. Then we crashed.
I know your crash with Ian Madsen cost you your Nationals car.
We had a skirmish there with Ian Madsen. It not only destroyed our Knoxville Nationals car, it also broke the block in our Nationals motor. We got home at about three in the morning and I went to get checked out at the hospital. After I went home and got back up around noon, Chad (Morgan), Zac (Thomas) and Greg (King) were still at the shop from the previous night making sure things were ready for the 360 Nationals and the Capitani Classic. Charlie Garrett was making sure we had another motor after that incident. That’s when you know you have a great team. They were all about having a great Southern Iowa Sprintweek. A lot goes on behind the scenes, and if it didn’t, the success on the track would never happen. Those guys worked their tail off.
A win at the 360 Nationals had always eluded you, but you were able to put it together in 2014.
We were able to put a good qualifying night together, setting quick time and winning our heat race. At the end of the Saturday night, we were able to achieve a lifelong dream of winning that race. It was special. Don Long of Searsboro Telephone Company had been trying to win that race for a long time too. To go and win that was special. We had another good run at the Capitani Classic to finish second.
On Monday, you were able to win the Front Row Challenge for the second year in a row.
We were able to win the Front Row Challenge again from fifth. That gave us all the momentum in the world heading into the Nationals. The year before, we had won the race by default when Tony (Stewart) was in the accident. To have him hanging out with us at the race this year was really special. He’s a special individual, and someone I call my hero. For him to show up in our pit and lend a hand anyway he could was really special.
Rain was the story at the Knoxville Nationals. You were scheduled to qualify Thursday, but when rain canceled Wednesday’s show and it rained during the day Thursday, you were looking at a heavy racetrack.
The worse-case scenario for a driver is rain on your qualifying night or day. It just never ends well. That’s what happened for two days straight really. I had a feeling that we had planned a whole year for nothing. The job the Dunkin family and everyone did to give us a track like they did was unbelievable. We really shouldn’t be surprised. They are the best in the world.
For the second year in a row, you were able to win the feature on your qualifying night.
I think we started fifth or so in the A, and bided our time to get to third. We were able to get by Sam (Hafertepe) there on the restart, and win our prelim night. That was not only special because FVP and Casey’s General Stores are part of the Nationals, but because it’s the Knoxville Nationals. Up until we got a win with the Outlaws at Charlotte, those wins on the qualifying night have been the biggest of my career.
That put you in the second row for Saturday night. I know you changed your Saturday routine up a little this year.
I think every year that we’ve gotten beat, we’ve learned a little something. In previous years, I had been up at seven in the morning and going non-stop until I got back home after the checkered flag. I know two years ago, I was going all day, and when I signed into the pits, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I knew I didn’t want to do that again. I was able to get a good night’s sleep and still mingle with the fans. FVP had 700 customers and employees there. To go to their hospitality and barbeque was very special.
You had some fast company in the first two rows!
If I had written down prior to the Nationals who I thought was going to be in the hunt, I would have named Donny Schatz, Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart. It just so happened that we were all in the first two rows.
What were you thinking heading into the feature?
My mindset was a little different this year than the past. I knew with those solid drivers around me, I needed to get to second as quick as I could. I felt a guy running fourth didn’t have a chance. I was able to get by Shane in the first segment for second, and really just kind of cruised behind Donny.
You certainly brought the crowd to their feet again.
We didn’t make many changes at the break, and the top of the track came to us. We had a yellow with ten to go, and you think about a lot of things. Things couldn’t have played out better at that point. We were able to get a good run on the top and sneak by him. Then I had to make a quick decision on whether to protect on the bottom or go up top where we had been running well. Hindsight is 20/20, and I probably should have taken his line away, but the rest is history.
There was no reason to hang your head for finishing second at the Knoxville Nationals!
After the race, with all that was going on across the country, it really put things in perspective. Second place at the Knoxville Nationals…we wanted to win it, but it wasn’t the end of the world. We are working hard at the shop today thinking about the 2015 Knoxville Nationals. We’ll keep working at it, and hopefully, one day, we’ll knock Donny off.
Next week, in Part 3, Brian registers the biggest win of his career!
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
In addition to his fourteen wins, Brian registered five seconds, five thirds, four fourths and two fifths for a total of thirty top five finishes in 2014.
15% off of Enco Tools Purchase!
Receive 15% off of your order with Enco Tools! Just go to www.UseEnco.com and use the coupon code “BBR21”!
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
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 – WSIB Insurance
Brian says – “Insurance is one of those things you don’t put a lot of thought into until something happens. WSIB Insurance covers our truck and trailer, and all of our equipment. They are very reasonable on price. If you are unlucky enough to have an incident, it’s nice to know you have good coverage. They are active in NASCAR and IRL and are making inroads into the grass roots racing.”
WSIB Motorsports Insurance is committed to being the most trusted motorsports nsurance authority. Their exclusive products allow them to innovate for the specific needs of their 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. Contact them with any of your insurance needs, and visit them on the web at www.WSIBInsurance.com.
Brian Brown Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, FVP, Searsboro Telephone Company, MC Power, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, DNA Energy, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Enco Tools, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, www.RateWin.com, Arctic Cat, K&N, www.hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Bell Helmets, Hinchman, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, Vortex Wings, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, AkzoNobel, Kenny's Components, www.AllDayParts.com, Tru Square, Jack Links, Deli Express, Snap-On Tools, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance, Cometic Gaskets, Shell Shock, Donovan, ISC Racers Tape, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Racing Optics, Mothers Wax, Hoosier Tires, Klein RV, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, Six-B Apparel, Bosch, Garrett Racing Engines, MSD, Moyle Racing Engines, Fortress Wealth Management, Legacy, Flexzilla and WSIB Insurance for all their support!
- administrator on Dec 03, 2014
- Article Date: 12/3/2014 by Bill Wright