(Bill W) August 16, 2010 – Brian Brown went into Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals championship race on the pole, knowing he had a lot of support behind him. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver was making his third Saturday night start ever at the Nationals, and tried to soak in the atmosphere that makes the event so great. Though a blown tire cost him at least a podium finish, he is grateful for all the support given him by his FVP team, partners, and most of all, the fans.
Brian earned his pole spot with the high point total from qualifying night action. “No matter what was going to happen, it was a dream come true for me,” he says. “I’m just really proud of every single one of our team members and partners. They work hard all year long, to put us in position to win the Nationals. They gave us a car that was in position to do it.”
Instead of going crazy alone somewhere, Brian made sure to enjoy the moment on Saturday. “Most guys probably hang out in the motor home or the hotel the day of,” he says. “I was out by 8:30 a.m. I was at the track all day long. Whether it was doing something for FVP, being at the t-shirt trailer, working on the cars or just being among the fans, I just wanted to take it all in. I always did the same things as a fan, and I decided to enjoy it all. I’m glad I did.”
When the time finally came on Saturday night, he had a discussion with fellow front row starter Sammy Swindell before the 50-lapper. “I talked to Sammy before the race, and we decided to get going and let things play out,” says Brian. “I was able to lead going into turn one and down the backstretch. I slid through three and four, and didn’t do a good job of that. That gave him a run into the lead.”
Disaster was avoided on lap four, when the pair almost made contact on the frontstretch. “I fell in behind him,” says Brian. “He was running low in three and four, and I was running the top. I got a run on him and got beside him on the frontstretch. I don’t think he saw me, and we kind of got together. There was no harm, no foul.”
With a mandatory red ahead for changes at the halfway point, Brian dropped back to fifth. “(Donny) Schatz got by me, and at that point, I just didn’t do the best job of negotiating that,” he says. “I tried to slide a couple of guys a little too early in traffic, and by doing that, I think I used up my tires pretty good. I was kind of holding on until the stop.”
Brian was able to pass eventual winner, Tim Shaffer, to move into fourth, and then assume third when Steve Kinser bowed out with motor problems. “Once we changed tires, and changed a few small things, we were running well,” he says. “We got back by Shaffer and we were right on Steve when he fell out. My thought was, the way that Sammy and Donny were racing, Sammy may not lift, and they may crash. I was content in third.”
About lap 40, things started to unravel. “With about ten to go, I had a tire shaking,” says Brian. “I couldn’t tell which one it was, but I knew we were in trouble. I looked at the board and saw there were ten laps left. I knew there was no way I was going to make it. We finally went down in there and blew the right rear tire.”
Obviously, there was disappointment. “It was very unfortunate that we don’t have a tire that can go the distance,” says Brian. “It cost me $30,000 at the bare minimum, and cost Sammy $150,000. Hopefully, they get it figured out, so we don’t have two more years of this. It’s definitely a safety issue.”
Brian rejoined the field as the last car on the lead lap, and crossed the checkers in 14th despite handling problems. “We had a radius rod and our right rear arm bent up from losing the tire,” he says. “We were out there just getting laps, and trying to get a couple more spots.”
Brian is really appreciative of his fan base. “We’ll learn from this one, and hopefully, next year, we’ll be challenging for a win,” he says. “I’d just like to thank the fans. They really treated me like gold all week. You don’t know what it means to have your name called and have that kind of support. Twenty-five years down the road…for the rest of my life…I’ll remember last weekend.”
This weekend, the FVP team heads to the Jackson Nationals in Minnesota, and the State Fair in Sedalia, Missouri on Sunday. “It’s always great to go to Jackson,” says Brian. “The fans in Minnesota are outstanding. They really seem to love their sprint car racing. Coming home to Sedalia will be good too.”
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!
New T-shirts
Brian’s new t-shirts are here! You can choose from two styles.
Brian's Q&A
John Schmidt asks: How much sleep did you get on Friday night knowing you were on the pole of the Knoxville Nationals?
Brian answers: Actually quite a bit. I kept telling (wife) Heather, ‘Isn’t this unbelievable that we’re on the pole?’ I think she went to sleep so I wouldn’t ask her anymore. I had no choice but to go to sleep myself!
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 has had a good amount of success at the Jackson Speedway. In eight career feature appearances at the ½ mile, he has finished in the top five on six occasions. He finished in the top five on both nights at the Jackson Nationals in 2009. His best finish came in the 2008 Nationals when he finished second.
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 – Don’s Truck Wash
Brian says – “I’ve know Don a long time, and whenever we’re in Sedalia, we like to go down to Don’s and get the truck and trailer washed.”
Don's Truck Towing and Truck Wash, specializes in heavy-duty towing and recovery. They have more than 31 years of experience, and their highly trained professionals can handle any situation from state-to-state towing, uprighting over-turned equipment, and off road extractions. Call them at 660 827-2970, or visit them on the web at www.DonsTruckTowing.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!
[i photo - Brian and the FVP team talk strategy prior to Saturday’s Finale (John Lee/High-Fly’N Photo)]
- Bill Wright on Aug 16, 2010
- Article Date: 8/16/2010