(Bill W) November 14, 2011 – This weekend marks the end of the line for Brian Brown’s season in the FVP #21. He’ll compete at the Western World Championships in Tucson, Arizona at the USA Raceway. Last weekend, he gained momentum with a pair of feature runs at the Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces.
Friday’s preliminary show in Las Cruces started with a draw at the back of the heat race. “We were meant to start ninth, but the guy on the front row didn’t make the call,” says Brian. “That can sometimes help you or hurt you. In the case of Friday night, we ran fourth, but I think we could have run fourth starting ninth too, so it may have hurt us. Seventh to fourth put us in the B.”
After winning the B in solid fashion, Brian lined up 18th for the main event. “We got rolling pretty well, and then we got over the edge of the track and had to restart in the back,” says Brian. “Once we did that, we were behind the 8-ball. We ran the whole thing, but on the ¼-mile track we got behind. We passed some good cars and got passed by some. When you are racing with Steve Kinser and Tony Stewart for fifteenth, you know it’s a tough night.”
The finish would see him 19th, but he was able to take some momentum away after facing the stout field that included a number of World of Outlaws drivers. “Overall, it was a good night,” says Brian. “We had an issue in hot laps with the motor, and we got it changed. Come to find out, it wasn’t a big deal, but everything worked out in the end.”
Saturday’s finale saw a much different dry-slick surface. Brian was able to find some luck when a fifth place starting spot in his heat turned into the front row. “We were lucky,” he says. “Usually when the front row crashes each other out, it’s in someone else’s heat. We ended up starting outside the front row. We were able to win it, and end up second in points.”
The redraw saw him starting outside of row two for the feature. A reworking of the track fooled the FVP a bit on setup, and he would ride home a respectable seventh. “It was laying rubber at the end of the heats and into the B’s,” says Brian. “They reworked the track, and it became a guessing game. We were looser than most, and when the green flag fell, we were along for the ride. We ended in seventh, and with the way we’ve been finishing lately, it was a step in the right direction.”
With the field assembled in Las Cruces, Brian and the FVP #21 team can ride some momentum with their finishes into Tucson this weekend. “I want to thank everyone for staying with us, and helping to push us along,” says Brian. “We just have to build on this and have a good Western World. We’re excited. We brought a different car out last week, one that we’ve had sitting in the shop for a year or two. It worked really well. We’re trying things out for 2012 with some of our combinations and I’m really looking forward to getting to Tucson.”
T-shirts Available!
For FVP #21 T-shirts, catch Brian at the track, or visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
Follow Brian and FVP Racing on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!
The FVP marketing team has launched a Twitter page, a Facebook page (including Brian’s GoPro In-car camera videos and FVP Racing Report), 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!
Brian's Q&A
John Klutz asks: With the price of motors, are the spec heads the way to go?
Brian answers: On the spec heads, ASCS has them. I think initially what they were aiming at was great. When the weight starts being shaved, the money starts going up. In 1992, they should have said if you run a file on it, it will be illegal. It would have saved a lot of people money. I don’t know that it makes much difference now. The price of running a top of the line 360 and a 410 are comparable in this day and age.
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
Last year’s finale occurred at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Brian finished second in both the prelim and the finale. In the prelim, Tony Stewart was able to get by for the win, while Brian followed Joey Saldana the entire distance of the finale. Not bad company!
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
SPLASH
In addition to our line of seasonal safety products, we are very excited to introduce a full line of SPLASH Wiper Blades. Our SafeView Performance Blades fit 95% of the vehicles on the road with quick and easy installation for everyone. The AccuVision Beam Blade offers memory curve steel, which provides uniform pressure for a clear wipe, without the streaks. Look for these great new SPLASH products! 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 are what you need! Check out our new SPLASH website at www.SPLASHWash.com! SPLASH…SEE SAFELY!
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 few 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
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, Searsboro Telephone Company, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps / impact4800.com, Champion Brands, SPLASH, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, www.RateWin.com, Arctic Cat, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, FSR Race Products, TI64, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, 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, GoPro, XYZ Machining, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Peterson Fluid System, Red Devil Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, and WSIB Insurance for all their help!
Attached: (Patrick Grant Photo)
- Admin Account on Nov 14, 2011
- Article Date: 11/14/2011 by Bill Wright