(Bill W) May 10, 2010 – Brian Brown made up for a forgettable season opener at the Knoxville Raceway, by posting his sixteenth career victory at the famous ½ mile oval last Saturday night. With the IRA series in the field, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver started eighth in the feature, and took the lead from Lynton Jeffrey after a spirited duel on lap nine. This week, he’ll again mix some 360 action at Sedalia in with the 410 at Knoxville.
The black gumbo at Knoxville was yielding some fast times, including a record with the 360 class. The 410 quick time was in the 14.6 range, just two-tenths off the track record. Brian registered the fifth quick time of the night. “That’s what you get when you have 40 degree weather, and the air is down around sea level,” he says of the quick times. “Obviously, Ostrich Racing Engines were going good with Bronson (Maeschen) getting quick time, and myself having fifth quick time. You try to cut the best lap you can. I felt like I missed it a bit in turn four, but it didn’t hurt us too bad. It’s good to know you’re right there when the Outlaws come to town.”
With an invert of six in heats that took the top five finishers to the A main, Brian started fifth and finished fourth. “I was a little nervous about the heat,” he admits. “We had a couple good IRA cars (Scott Neitzel and Todd King) in the front row, Ricky (Logan) and Lynton (Jeffrey) in row two and Bronson beside me. As narrow as the track was, I know I had to get going. It could be the difference between starting eighth in the feature, and starting 21st. I was back in sixth at the start, and desperate times called for desperate measures. Luckily, we got through there.”
An invert draw of twelve resulted in a starting spot outside row four for the main event. Soon, Brian was up into the top three, and then battling Jeffrey for the lead, which they traded on lap seven. “Lynton is a good friend of mine, and a really good racer,” says Brian. “He was making some great laps. I heard afterwards that he was having an issue with his power steering. We were able to get by him, but he got right back by us.”
Finally, on lap nine, Brian made the winning pass. A restart a lap after he took the lead, came at a good time. “We were both trying to maneuver through lap traffic,” he says. “The restart didn’t hurt my feelings any. Once we got into the lead, the clean air was what we needed. They said (Mark) Dobmeier was right there, so we had to get going.”
Dobmeier eventually finished in the runner-up spot, but no one could catch Brian, who secured his 16th career 410 victory at Knoxville. “It was big for us,” he says. “I felt like I let the team down on Friday night in Sedalia. That made up for it a little bit. Hopefully, I gave my mom and step-mom a great Mother’s Day present.”
Sedalia started o.k. on Friday. Brian started fifth and ran second in his heat at the State Fair Speedway, and then posted third in the feature. “Jack (Dover) was setting a wicked pace,” he says of the main event. “I stayed within four or five car lengths of him. There was a yellow about ten or eleven laps in. He went to block the middle, and we drove by him. There was another yellow, so that was brought back.”
Dover would not let the pass happen on the second restart. “He did what any smart driver would do, and took my line from me,” says Brian. “I ran him down again, and with about five laps to go, I pulled alongside of him on the back straightaway. He took a lower line than he had the laps before. I was going to slide him, and I put it into the concrete barrier and knocked the front axle out. In hindsight, it could have been a lot worse, to be honest.”
As it was, Brian was able to use the same Maxim to cruise to Saturday’s victory lane. Some pain has stayed with him, however. “My neck has been sore ever since, but not too sore to get in there,” he says. “Obviously, there was a whiplash factor. I just have to get up on the wheel and hang in there.”
Funk for Congress
Brian supports Dave Funk in his run for the 3rd District Iowa seat in the U.S. Congress! Dave is running for Congress because he believes in a better way for the 3rd District. He has fresh ideas and has both the energy and resolve to bring common sense policies back to Iowa.
Visit www.CongressNeedsFunk.com today!
Follow Brian and FVP Racing on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!
The FVP marketing team has launched a Twitter page, a Facebook page, and a Youtube page (make sure to subscribe to all!) to keep up to date with Brian and FVP racing! You can become a fan and follow along by clicking on the links below:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fvpracing
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2rakgn
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fvpracing
Web site
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
Catch Brian at the track for the new t-shirt, and it will also be up on the website soon!
Brian's Q&A
Chad Hines asks: Do you have a routine after a win at Knoxville?
Brian answers: Saturday, the weather played a factor for us. It was just too cold. Usually, we head over to the Dingus and visit my good friend, AJ Mottet. We want to support him over there, and take some Knoxville money over there. Hopefully, as the season goes on, we’ll be a regular after the races over there. AJ is a great fan of sprint car racing and good for the sport.
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 win was the 16th in his career at Knoxville Raceway. That moves him into a tie for seventeenth overall in the wins column at the historic ½ mile oval. He is now tied with two-time track champion (1954-55) Kenny Crook, two-time track champion Tim Green (1981-1982), and 2005 track champion Kerry Madsen.
FVP
FVP 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.FVPparts.com!
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!
Splash
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 from SuperClean are what you need! Click on the “Splash Products” link at www.SuperClean.com!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Searsboro Telephone Company’s www.FaxeMeService.Com
Brian says, “Don Long is an avid sprint car fan, and has been a part of the team for a couple of years now. We’re just really happy to have him here.”
Receive faxes through your e-mail when you’re away from the fax machine! Visit www.FaxMeService.com for easy sign-up options! It’s the simplicity of a fax through the convenience of e-mail. It’s easy to use, with no setup and a low fee!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Vortex Wings
Brian says – “Vortex swept all three podium finishes at Knoxville Saturday. They do a great job with their wings. It’s more than just a wing. There are wings, and then there is Vortex.”
Vortex Racing Products is the industry leader in Sprintcar Wing design. From humble beginnings in 1995, they began producing wings for their own use and quickly became engaged in producing wings for other race teams. Inspired by a life-long background in race car design and manufacturing from their father, Paul and Lynton Jeffrey continued to evolve into a company known for producing a product a little different from the rest. This ability to manufacture a Wing that is unique in design is what has been their success. They continually push the boundaries of design with an extensive testing program. It is their understanding of chassis design and manufacturing that allows communication with clients and tailors a wing package that best suits the race driver, team and make of chassis. It is called “The Vortex Advantage”. Visit them on the web today at www.VortexRacingProducts.com!
Brian would like to thank FVP, SuperClean, Splash, Ditzfeld Transfer, Searsboro Telephone Company, www.FaxMeService.com, Housby Trucks, Maxim Racing, Champion Brands, My State Insurance Rates, Smiley’s Race Products, Impact Sign and Lighting, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Weld Wheels, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Carrillo Rods, A1 Mortgage, Rockwell Security, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Engler Machine, Vortex Wings, Ostrich Racing Engines, Penray, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, KSE Racing Products, Winters Performance Products, Santomauro Racing Products, Cometic Gaskets, Kaeding Performance, Donovan, Magtech, ISC Racers Tape, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Don's Truck Wash, Gardner Farms, Hoosier Tires, XYZ Machining, Funk for Congress, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, www.Impact4800.com and WSIB Insurance for all their help!
- Bill Wright on May 10, 2010
- Article Date: 5/9/2010