“Blackjack” Brian Brown has an intense Nationals!
by: Paul Joiner

KNOXVILLE, IA. (Aug 13, 2006) - The 2006 Knoxville Nationals may is one that will more than likely be remembered for things that took place off the track rather than on it. For Blackjack Brian Brown and the McKenna Truck Centers Doogs Maxim, their on track performance will not get the due it should. Brown, who is the nephew of former World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski had a heartbreaking “B” main during Saturday night’s Championship night at Knoxville Raceway In more way’s than one. The driver who hails from Grain Valley, MO and competes weekly at the historic ½ mile was racing against his uncle for the final transfer spot when things got interesting.

Lasoski appeared to have a run on Brown down the backstretch when Brown would cut down on the #83 car driven by Lasoski going into turn 3 and rub the front right tire causing Lasoski tp spin. Lasoski never stalled the car and completed a 360 and went back to racing when the caution flag flew stopping the action. The Dennis Roth owned #83 then proceeded to chase down the #21 McKenna Truck Center/Diablo Energy #21 and began to bump into the car repeatedly under yellow. Knoxville officials made a call that the yellow flag was flown inadvertantly and thus Lasoski would get his 5th place spot back under the restart. Lasoski would eventually pass Brown for the transfer and go onto the “A” main and Brown would finish 6th in the “B” main.

What should have ended on the track then escaltated in the pits between Lasoski and Brown’s Grandfather (Lasoski’s dad) when George Lasoski confronted his son. A battle of words ensued and the senior Lasoski was lead away while his son continued shouting. What should have stayed on the track insead lead to drama off of it. Unfortunatley for Brown his performance on Friday night will not get the credit it deserves.

Starting 10th in the “B” scramble, Brown made a valiant charge to 4th in what appeared to be the fastest car on the track. Using whatever line was available Blackjack gave a performance that local Knoxville fans have come to expect from the hot shoe from Missouri. It would not end there however as the Factory Auto Parts World Challenge would see Brown once again put on a show. From his 6th starting position, Blackjack was once again the fastest car on the track. Making moves that can best be described as hair raising, the #21 McKenna Truck Centers Maxim would climb to 2nd and just run out of laps while closing in on the leader. While Brown may not have made the feature he won over many fans with both his on and off the track performances.

“I was just racing hard to keep my spot.” Said Brown of Saturday nights incident. “The tires were gone, I used them up racing Shane (Stewart) for the lead earlier in the race and I was just trying to hold on for the transfer spot. Yes I drove down to keep him from passing, nothing I would not do to anyone I was racing or for that matter that he wouldn’t have done. When the yellow came out the next thing I knew he was beside me and running into me. I tried to drive away from him but he kept coming at me. I was not there when he and my Grandpa got into it. That really hurts, because I love my Grandpa and he has really helped me out my whole career. All in all we had a good Nationals and now we have to focus on winning the Knoxville points deal and more races. The great thing about this race is it occurs next year. I want to thank McKenna Truck Centers for coming on board and helping us out. I look forward to furthering that relationship and I know we provided a good showing to those folks.”