Track Schedules

Brian Brown – Win at the Spoon/Eye Towards Knoxville!

(Bill W) August 2, 2011 – A win with the Monster Energy™ Sprint Car Series at Spoon River Speedway near Canton, Illinois, and a strong run at the Knoxville Raceway have Brian Brown more than ready for 360 Nationals week at Knoxville.  The Grain Valley, Missouri driver will do double duty Saturday night, also getting some seat time in his 410 while he pursues his first 360 Nationals title.

The high banks of the Spoon River Speedway are storied.  Labeled the “mini-Eldora”, speed is everywhere.  Brian found the big 3/8-mile oval to his liking on Wednesday.  “We were able to go there and we were good right from the ‘get go’,” he says.  “We were able to win the heat from fourth.  We seem to be working well on the fast tracks.”

After winning the dash from the pole, Brian shot out to a lead and was never headed.  “We rolled on the top until it laid rubber about halfway through,” he says.  “We cut down the track from there, and it was kind of over at that point.  It was a good track to be able to win at.  The FVP #21 was working great.”

The race served as the opener for Illinois Sprint Week, and Brian followed the tour on Thursday to the Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois.  “We went to Granite,” he says.  “It was already pretty slick by the heat race.  We got to fourth, and tried to make a move on third.  I ran out of talent a bit there and hit the wall.  We tore some stuff up, and by the time the B rolled around it was pretty dry and just wasn’t worth it.  We called it a night and got ready for Knoxville.”

With a day to regroup, the FVP #21 team headed to Knoxville on Saturday.  Brian qualified eighth after coming out 26^th in the 33-car field.  “We had found some things with our motor and we were anxious to get back there,” he says.  “It’s not really where we wanted to be, but with Knoxville’s format, it can be the best place to be.  This week, we’ll be ready to go for quick time, and see what we can do.”

The Knoxville two-time track champion had the car hitting on all cylinders in the heat.  “Starting fifth, and winning the heat is what you want to do this time of year,” says Brian.  “That gives you confidence heading into the Nationals, because you have to do that if you want to be up front.”

Despite a brake problem, Brian drove from seventh to third in a very competitive feature event.  “We lost our brakes about six laps in, so we went the last fourteen without any brakes,” he says.  “After our two previous starts, the third one went well, so I feel really good about our team right now.”

Brian will qualify Thursday night for the 360 Nationals, and is very confident heading in.  “Andy, Chaddy and Levi have been working really hard in the shop all week long,” he says.  “We’re making sure we’re prepared going up there.  It’s not just a race; it’s a weeklong event.  You can wear yourself out during the week if you are not prepared.  We’ll try to put ourselves in position on Thursday to win on Saturday.”