(Bill W) May 31, 2010 – Brian Brown was able to capture what he describes as his most special win this past weekend at the Knoxville Raceway. Sporting the #77 in honor of his late competitor, Jesse Hockett, the Grain Valley, Missouri driver battled for a win at Knoxville much to the delight of the massive crowd that was gathered. The win was also timely in that the World of Outlaws come to town Thursday through Saturday.
The rivalry between Brian and Jesse was a natural one in their proximity, but there was always a level of respect for one another’s abilities. “We weren’t the best of friends, but we weren’t enemies either,” says Brian. “There were times we were friends, and times when things weren’t good between us. The last year or so, we had gotten along really well. We called each other or talked about setting the car up for certain tracks whenever we could.”
Brian, five years older than Hockett, was able to see the determination turn a weekend racer into a professional one. “It’s extremely unfortunate to lose him at such a young age,” he says. “He resembles what sprint car racing is all about. He was a small town kid who made it big, but never forgot where he came from. I was honored that the family gave me the blessing to carry his number last weekend. I was just worried I wasn’t going to do it justice. The first two nights, I felt like I let them down a little bit, so I was glad that it worked out at Knoxville.”
The night started with the seventh quick time of the night, despite coming out second in the order. “If you’re not setting quick time with the local shows, you definitely have concern for when the Outlaws come (June 5-7),” says Brian. “I think the track actually may have gotten better as time trials went on, so that is one good thing, but realistically, you need to be qualifying good for when the Outlaws come. If you aren’t on, they will eat you alive.”
Brian ran third in his heat race after starting fourth. “Mark (Dobmeier) and I had a good battle,” he says. “He had motor problems earlier, and started up front. We got to racing each other, and he ended up in front of us. We weren’t on top of our game at that point.”
Ian Madsen shot out to an early lead in the main event with Brian in tow. “Ian did a great job and got out there a little bit,” says the 2007 track champ. “I was rolling the bottom in one and two, and I haven’t been running down there much lately. It’s good to know I can still do it.”
A wake-up call came in the form of Josh Schneiderman. “We were maintaining, when Schneiderman got by me, and I sat up in the seat a bit,” says Brian. “I was able to get back up to Ian, but he was doing a good job. I was fine riding there, because I knew traffic was coming, and I didn’t want to push the issue too early.”
With just four laps remaining, a caution flag interrupted a battle for the lead. “We had the caution, and I knew we were in good shape,” says Brian. “We were able to get into the lead on the restart, and then we had that yellow on the last lap. We had a good restart, and we were able to get the win. It was special with the #77 on the car, that’s for sure.”
The weekend started in Nebraska on Thursday and Friday at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, and Junction Motor Speedway near McCool Junction. Brian started eighth in his heat and ran third at I-80. “I’ve always loved going to I-80,” he says. “It was great to get back there. It was good to get the passing points to get in the draw, and you have to do that with ASCS.”
In the feature, Brian was able to get in the lead in the early going, but eventually Shane Stewart would relegate him to second at the checkers. “I was on the bottom, and I could hear Shane on the top,” he says. “I tried to go up there and block, then I heard him on the bottom. When I went back down, he drove around me on the top. He just had a faster car than we did on that night, at least the last ten laps or so. Sometimes, you are just second, and you have to deal with that.”
It was on to McCool Junction on Friday, and the same scenario played out, relegating Brian to third. “We have been good in the heats (9th to 3rd at JMS) with ASCS, and that has saved us,” he says. “We were able to draw the front row outside for the feature, and we got out to a lead. Ryan Roberts (winner) did a great job and was able to get by us, and so did Shane (second). If we can stay in the top three, we’re going to win our share.”
This weekend, it is back to business at Knoxville with the World of Outlaws and several invaders coming in for the Mediacom Shootout Hall of Fame Classic at Knoxville running Thursday through Saturday.
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
Bill W asks: What are some memories of racing with Jesse?
Brian answers: That’s a tough question. There are so many memories that I have. A couple that stand out are the battle in 2006 where we went back and forth at the Lake Ozark Nationals, and earlier this year at Battleground Speedway in Texas. We both drove 15 hours one-way to race. We live an hour apart, and we ended up racing to first and second. The biggest thing that I will think about, is whenever you were able to outrun Jesse Hockett, you know that you did something. The hard part is knowing from now on out, I won’t be able to race against him. It’s a rough situation and my prayers go out to his family.
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 at Knoxville was the 17th in his career and ties him for 14th all-time on the Knoxville list. He is now tied with Dick Sutcliffe, Dean Sylvester and Jac Haudenschild. His Uncle Danny Lasoski will be the first to remind him he needs 76 to tie him.
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 – Champion Racing Lubricants (Champion Racing 20W50 Motor Oil)
Visit Champion’s new web page at www.ChampionsUseChampion.com! Champion Racing 20W50 Motor Oil is the one that started it all by beating the competition in providing more horsepower, torque, and anti-wear additives than many of the more well known brands of racing oil. Champion Racing 20W50's premium ZDDP anti-wear protection is among the highest in the industry. Champion's exclusive shear stabilizer delivers better film strength and piston ring seal at peak temperatures. Champion Racing 20W50 also delivers more foot-pounds of torque with higher compression than any competitor's brands.
Benefits include:
• Provides exceptional low coefficient of friction
• Offers film strength and viscosity stability of thicker mono-grades at higher temperatures
• Provides upper cylinder anti-wear protection
• Increases high-temp oil pressure and compression
• Formulated for flat tappet, roll over cams and bearings in turbo and super-charged racing engines
• Lowers engine temperature
• Compatible with petroleum and other synthetics
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Penray
Brian says – “This year, we’re using all their brake cleaning materials. Mark and all the guys there are great to work with. We’re looking for a long relationship between them and Brian Brown Racing.”
Incorporated in 1950, The Penray Companies continue to grow strong after 50 years of service in the heavy-duty and automotive chemical industry. There are two main plants for the manufacture of both liquids and aerosol products. They are in Elk Grove Village and Wheeling, Illinois. Penray is comprised of four separate business units: heavy-duty, automotive, export, and custom manufacturing. Visit Penray today at www.Penray.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!
Attached: Brian flew the #77 last weekend to memorialize fellow competitor Jesse Hockett (Conrad Nelson Photo)
- Bill Wright on Jun 01, 2010
- Article Date: 6/1/2010