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Brian Brown – Lessons Learned!
(Bill W) June 25, 2008 – Brian Brown exhibited the skills last weekend at Knoxville that won him a sprint car track championship last season. The only problem this week was starting position. Two impressive charges highlighted the week at Knoxville, one in the team's 360 and one in the 410. After tackling the Junction Motor Speedway where he has seen much success this Friday, he'll focus on improving his starting spot with a better qualifying effort on Saturday at Knoxville.
The week of racing started last Wednesday. The Winged Outlaw Warriors were running at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, but it was anything but a typical WOW field. It started in the heat with Brian grabbing second. "That was probably one of the toughest 360 heats that you will ever run," says the Grain Valley, Missouri driver. "Danny (Lasoski) beside me in row one, with Terry McCarl and Jason Johnson behind us. To come out in the top two was what we wanted."
Starting inside row two in the main event, hopes were high. Track conditions were different than expected on the 3/8 mile oval, and Brian ended up fifth. "In the feature, we thought we had something for those guys," he says. "We tightened the car up thinking the track would slick off, but it never did. If anything, it got heavier and we could never get free enough to race on it."
The Tim and Gina Doogs SuperClean #21 team prepped for the arrival of the American Sprint Cars on Tour 360 race on Friday at Knoxville. With the best in the 360 business assembled, another stacked heat race awaited. "With the rain delay, the track guys and drivers did a great job of getting it rolled in," remembers Brian. "I never would have guessed the track would have been as good as it was after that rain. Again our heat race was loaded. We were in row two, Jack Dover and Jesse Giannetto were in front of us, Gary Wright was beside us, and Josh Higday was right behind. To come out of that running third was pretty good and after Dover got disqualified (left rear tire) that gave us a starting spot in the A inside of row five."
Brian was a rocket in the 25-lap main event from the outset. When Wayne Johnson's motor expired in the lead with eight laps to go, Brian restarted third and got by Jesse Giannetto late for second. "We kind of picked our spots in the feature and moved forward," he says. "We were able to come up through and grab second. I don't think we could have had a car to run with Wayne, but I think we had something for Jason (Johnson) there towards the end. On the last restart, there were six lapped cars between Jason and Jesse, and one between Jesse and me, so we didn't really get an opportunity to race with him. But Jason put himself in that position, to start up front and lap those cars before I did, so hat's off to him. With a little more fine-tuning, I think we'll have something for those guys in the 360 Nationals."
It was back to the 410 on Saturday night. One lap of qualifying was used, and Brian did not cut a good lap (21st quick). "I agree with the one lap of qualifying rule if there are 40-50 cars, but not when there are 30," he says. "I did make a bad lap, and there were guys who made a good one, so everyone was in the same boat, but I didn't see the benefit in saving five minutes doing that on Saturday."
With a scheduled start of seventh in the heat race, Brian's work was cut out for him in making the top six. "We had some demolition derby to start the heat, and we ended up starting sixth instead of outside of the invert," he says. "We were able to run fourth, so our prayer of getting in was answered a bit."
After not going anywhere before a lap eight red flag for Travis Cram, who was leading, Brian shot forward the rest of the 20-lap distance in the feature. "The car is working really well come race time," he says. "The caution came out on lap seven or eight and I hadn't passed a car yet…in fact, I was back to 20th or 21st at one time. To be able to pass ten cars in 12 laps was pretty good. If there were five more, I think we could have challenged for the podium as all those guys were racing together. We really picked up speed those last five laps (finishing 8th). Qualifying has been rough, but when it's time to race we're moving forward. Racing-wise, I don't think there's anyone faster than us. I need to do a better job of getting us in position to win."
Despite not hitting the podium on Saturday, Brain is upbeat. "When you're used to winning, you can get down real quick," he explains. "We have to keep our heads up and keep plugging away. My job is to make sure everyone's morale is up. It's easy to get down in the dumps when you're not doing well, so this is a good test."
Brian and the SuperClean team will head to Junction Motor Speedway near McCool Junction, Nebraska to race with the ASCS-Midwest series on Friday. They will shoot for the $3,500 top prize at Knoxville's Mid-Season Championship on Saturday!
Visit Brian in York, Nebraska on Friday!
Brian will be at the NAPA store in York, Nebraska on Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Race fans can come out and visit with Brian, take a close-up look at the SuperClean #21 and then head down to Junction Motor Speedway!
Brian on KGGO Friday Mornings
…by a radio station. Brian will be joining Lou, the Round Guy and Heather on KGGO "Classic Rock that Rocks" at 94.9 on the FM dial. He is calling each Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. during the race season to keep them apprised of his latest outings. Be sure to listen in!
Website
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit the revamped www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
New t-shirts are available and can be ordered at Brian's website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), www.Racingthreads.com, or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
Ray DeGeest asks: What are the most important lessons you think you've learned since you started racing sprint cars?
Brian answers: Since we don't have space for a book, I'll try to be brief. I think first and foremost, I've learned that these things can hurt you. You have to respect others and the car. You have to know the car's limits. When you push past that, it can hurt you. Another thing is, the smarter race driver will always beat the fast race driver. If you can think two laps ahead, you're always going to be better. Also, if you want to make it in the sport, you need to know how the car works, know what it takes to go fast, and how to prepare. You also have to be good at marketing these days. You have partners that you need to figure out how to help or sell their product. It's a two-way street now, if your partners aren't benefiting and they aren't getting a return on their investment, they're not going to be around very long! You better have thick skin too. It doesn't matter how many autographs you sign or babies you kiss, you're going to take some heat somewhere, sometime. In this sport, you're learning every day, you've never got it all figured out. I'm sure some people out there don't think I've learned much! My Grandpa George has taught me a lot, but it's never ending!
Got a question for Brian? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Brian" in your subject line.
Brown's Bits
Brian's first 410 victory at Knoxville Raceway came in Lonnie Parson's #6 on May 24, 2003. Brian battled with second place Terry McCarl most of the distance, as the pair were followed by Travis Cram, Shane Stewart and Jaymie Moyle. Brian's now has eleven 410 wins at Knoxville, and is tied for 23rd all-time with the likes of Rocky Hodges, Don Droud Jr. and Craig Dollansky.
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!
SuperClean Products include:
Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser
If you have tough, caked-on grease, then SuperClean Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser is the multipurpose cleaner you need. This concentrated, industrial strength formula quickly removes grease, oil, wax, tar, and dirt on contact leaving your surface as clean as new.
All Wheel Cleaner
If you love your car more than you love your…well you know, then SuperClean All Wheel Cleaner is for you. This custom-blend formula instantly releases road grime and brake dust, leaving wheels clean to the original finish.
Concrete Cleaner
Great house…dirty driveway? Then you need SuperClean Concrete Cleaner. This concentrated, professional strength formula cuts away grease, grime, dirt, and organic stains leaving your concrete surface as clean as the original finish.
See Heather at a grandstand entrance near you or visit the team's trailer to get your free sample! Superclean is available at Wal-Mart, Autozone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, or to find a retailer near you visit www.superclean.com.
Brian's Updates
Brian's Releases are an up close look at the past, present and future of 2007 Knoxville Raceway track champion, Brian Brown. To receive Brian's weekly updates, send an e-mail to [email protected] with "Brian" in the subject line.
Brian would like to thank SuperClean, Ditzfeld Transfer, Boss Hogg Food Products, Maxim Racing, American Compressed Steel, Michael Ross Memorial Foundation, Champion Brands, Legend Suzuki, Housby Trucks, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, Yeager's Harley Davidson, Saldana Radiators, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Blue Springs Extreme Powersports, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Shock Doctor, Weld Wheels, Fire-Down Graphics, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, Winters Performance Products, ISC Racers Tape, Simpson, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Dake Law Office, Wes. Mo. Auto, Don's Truck Wash, Sunshack Tan, McCroskey Chevrolet, Gardner Farms and Hoosier Tires for all their help!
(Brandon Anderson Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
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@BillWMedia
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