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Waiting Was Hardest Part for Sportsmen Leader Fowler

Chuck Corder

It was a long-time coming for Brannon Fowler on June 24 at Five Flags Speedway.

But while the wait for his first-career Sportsman victory was excruciating, finally hoisting that checkered flag made it that much sweeter for Fowler.

“Capturing that first win, it sure was something special,� Fowler, 31, said. “It was wonderful. The competition is really tough, so I was glad to get it. It was something I’ll never forget.�

The win put the Molino native on top of the Sportsmen points standings for the season. Fowler hopes to add to his slim, one-point lead over Jim Pokrant on Friday at Five Flags.

It’s another huge night for America’s favorite home track, headlined by the annual Meet the Drivers Night and the teeth-chattering return of the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association winged sprints.

In non-winged racing, the Bombers will battle along with a special Black Flag Race for the Super Stocks when the gates open at 5 p.m. Friday.

Grandstands admission is $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. The pits open at 1 p.m. Friday and passes are $25.

Fowler claimed Bombers track titles at both Five Flags and Mobile International Speedway in 2007.

“It was gratifying; it was a special feeling,� Fowler said of the two championships. “You come to the track always visualizing we can win, but we really had good car in 2007 for both of those racetracks.�

Ironically, he leads the points race in Mobile this season, as well. Is another Gulf Coast sweep in the cards?

“That sure would be awesome, two one season,� said Fowler, who has worked as a plumber for Boyd Plumbing for the last decade. “But I’m concentrating on winning more races and letting the points fall wherever they do.�

That always has been his philosophy, but one Fowler has put into serious practice this season.

After a solid 2010, he has made a significant jump as a top-three car for the majority of this season.

Fowler credits his leap to not being afraid to tinker with the white No. 00, specifically making adjustments to the rear end and the transmission.

“We were just looking for ways to find more speed, better handling,� he said. “We’re just trying different things, not giving up on ourselves and the car. We try to maximize the car the best we can and leave the rest to the setup.�

The “we� is Fowler and his father, Glenn Fowler. Brannon is quick to sing the praises of his old man, who became a Five Flags regular in the 1960s.

Glenn Fowler also serves as his son’s spotter during features.

“He has his hand on everything on the car,� Brannon said of Glenn. “Me and him discuss back and forth, but ultimately I leave the decisions up to him because of the experience he has with fooling with things. You can’t replace that.�

You can’t replace the feeling of that first win either.

Sportsmen Points Standings — 1. Brannon Fowler 319, 2. Jim Pokrant 318, 3. Marty White 290, 4. Randy Thompson 283, 5.Tina Davidson 244, 6. Chris Nielsen 231, 7. Michael Couture 212, 8. Steve Buttrick 208, T9. Wayne Burkett 191, T9. Jimmy Goodwin 191, 11. Bubba Winslow 189, 12. Stevie Mercer 153, 13. Mark Montgomery 116, T14. Thomas Faddis 104, T14. Mike Goraum 104, 16. Justin Babb 99, 17. Charles English 60, T17. Daniel Fleming 60, 19. Eddie Craig Jr. 55, 20. Bo Resmondo 52, 21. Lee Reynolds 44, 22. Johnny Greene Jr. 43, 23. John Ward 40, 24. Jared Courtney 33, T25. Gary Robinson 23, T25. Todd Jones 23, 27. Scott Barbaric 20

 

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