3/21/2011
Sprint Source
Brian Brown – Fast at Malden!
(Bill W) March 21, 2011 – The first win of the 2011 season was at hand in Malden, Missouri on Saturday night before suspected ignition problems sidelined Brian Brown and the FVP #21 team while leading the USCS field assembled. The Grain Valley, Missouri driver looks forward to a two-night show this weekend at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series.
Surprisingly, it was the first visit for Brian to Malden Speedway. “Of all the tracks we’d been to, we’d never been to Malden,” he says. “We drew a decent number outside of row three for our heat race. We were excited to get going.”
Despite the challenge, the 2010 Knoxville Raceway champ drove to second in the heat. “It was a tough heat with guys like (Tim) Crawley,” says Brian. “We were able to get a really good start from sixth to second. In the passing point deals, you don’t have to win the heat, but you have to put yourself in position to start up front in the feature. Andy (Korte) and Chaddy (Cypart) did a great job with the car and that set us up for all night.”
The run was good enough to earn the pole for the main event. “We put a harder left rear tire than Terry Gray (starting outside in row one) did,” says Brian. “A lot of times when the track slows down like it did, it can seal the tire up, so I was worried. We went hard because the track was starting to rubber up, and it worked.”
Brian pulled away from the field each time, despite some early cautions. “We were able to get out into the lead,” he says. “There were a couple of cautions the first fifteen laps. Andy was telling me we had a big lead every time.”
With a straightaway lead over Gray, disaster struck. “Coming down the backstretch on the 17th lap, it just shut off,” says Brian. “We don’t know for sure what it was, but we think it was something in the ignition box. Usually, when something like that happens, that’s what it is.”
It was a long tow home. “It was unfortunate, because the guys worked their tails off to make us the fastest car, and we were six hours from home,” he says. “To come home without the trophy was disappointing.”
But the glass is also half-full, knowing the FVP #21 was the fastest car on the track. “It was a momentum boost going to Dallas,” says Brian. “It seems the last few times there, that we have been good. The heat races the first night are always tough. Again, you don’t have to win them, but you need to put yourself in good position for the redraw.”
Action will start on Friday night and conclude with Saturday’s finale. “I’m sure there will be 50 or 60 cars there that are planning on winning too,” says Brian. “We have a hard working team that wants to win as badly as I do. We’ll go down there and do our best. We’re going down there to win.”
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
To purchase Brian’s new t-shirts, visit www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
Brian's Q&A
Ryan Woody asks: You seem to always be fast at the Devil’s Bowl. What have you found to be the secret at that place?
Brian answers: It being a half-mile, you would figure we would be fast from the start. One and two and three and four are totally different corners. There are things that you pick up as a driver there to make things easier. My first several times there, I was treating it like any half-mile. You can’t do that. By watching guys like Gary Wright, Jason Johnson, Kevin Ramey and Shane Stewart there, I’ve learned things there over the years. I think we’re headed in the right direction.
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 finished second in the 2005 Winternationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Veteran and Mesquite ace Gary Wright was the winner ahead of Brian, Kevin Ramey, Wayne Johnson and Gregg Bakker.
FVP
We 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. Visit us on the web at www.FVPparts.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 are what you need! Check out our new SPLASH website at www.SPLASHWash.com!
Marketing Partner of the Week – Maxim Racing
Brian says, “Chuck and Karen Merrill are not only great people, but they put everything into putting the best car out on the market. I’ve always been a supporter of theirs, and with Brian Brown Racing, you’ll always see their chassis.”
Brian has been partnering with Maxim since 2003. After years of success as a car owner, Chuck Merrill started his chassis business in a rented three-bay garage in November of 1988. The first car was driven by Johnny Herrera at the Florida All Stars Sprint Week in February of 1989. By June of that year, Maxim moved into a 7,000 square foot facility. By 2001, Maxim had grown substantially producing 304 chassis that year. In 2002, Maxim moved to its present 12,500 square foot location in Springfield, Illinois. Maxim continues to offer their customers unmatched service and support, and currently has 17 quality employees, and builds over 400 chassis on an annual basis. Their world-famous “K-car” was designed for Steve Kinser, and has won ten Knoxville Nationals titles and fourteen World of Outlaws championships! To top it all, Maxim offers a warranty if you are not completely satisfied with your car. For more information on Maxim, visit www.racemaxims.com! Generation and Housby Motorsports. Visit www.Housby.com for more information!
Associate Marketing Partner of the Week – Rod End Supply
Brian says – “Bob Douglas and Rod End Supply have always been very good to us. They make the nicest, most durable rod ends in racing, and we are proud to run them.”
Whether your running a go-cart, micro, mini-sprint, midget, modified, late model, sprint or a tractor, Rod End Supply has the assortment of rod ends, radius rods, and specialty products that will help you lead the field in performing at your maximum potential. At Rod End Supply, “They don’t just sell ‘em, they race ‘em! Visit them on the web at www.RodEndSupply.com or call 1-800-284-2902 today!
Brian would like to thank FVP, Searsboro Telephone Company, Impact Sign and Lighting, Champion Brands, SPLASH, Ditzfeld Transfer, Maxim Racing, Smiley’s Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Housby Trucks, My State Insurance Rates, 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, www.Impact4800.com and WSIB Insurance for all their help!
[i Photo by IBRACN]
Submitted By: Bill Wright
