@PtboSpeedway • Peterborough, ON (July 24, 2015)- It's a track he sees often as car owner, crew chief and mentor for his daughter Bailey's INEX Ontario Legends Series effort, but Linc Brown hadn't turned a racing lap of his own at the venue known as Canada's Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval in more than eight seasons.
After taking the checkered flag in fourth spot Saturday, July 18 the Colborne, Ontario racer could be wishing the balance of the APC Pro Late Model schedule could be contested at Peterborough Speedway.
Under hot and humid conditions, Brown and his #99 team struggled with a loose racecar during the pre-race practice session. Not an uncommon issue, the crew went through their notebook and worked to tweak the set-up with tire pressure adjustments. Making the switch from scuffed to sticker tires during the final tune-up laps, the driver found the car to be a bit more forgiving as the teams approached time trials.
"I think most of the cars in the field had the same worry," said Brown. "The bottom rung has always been the quick way around at Peterborough, but if you have to fight the car to make it turn naturally, you can't run that line. It was something that left us scratching our heads a little, but like everyone else, we had to deal with what the car would give us."
As the seventh car to time, Brown earned the 11th qualifying spot; nearly smack dab in the middle of the starting order. Best of all, he'd line-up inside the sixth row. On the drop of the green flag, he was able to use the inside line to his advantage, gaining a couple of positions but got shifted to the outside groove for one of the early restarts. During a lengthy red flag period with 20 laps complete, there was time to discuss strategy with the crew.
"Contact with another car on lap 26 sent us both to the back of the pack, but before we took our position for the restart we came into the pits to adjust tire pressure," said the driver. "An aggressive approach and some well-timed moves allowed us to get back into contention. Lining-up on the inside after a couple of yellows helped too."
Patience behind the wheel and some good racing luck paid-off handily as the team was able to complete every lap and record a 4th place finish. While cooling off in the trailer after the checkered flag, Linc Brown was visited by a number of fans and friends who offered their congratulations for a job well done. Even though he was pleased with the effort, Brown was quick to share the credit.
"It was nice to have some extra help from Dave Morgan in the pits," said Brown. "He probably has more laps at Peterborough Speedway than any active driver. Jamie Wagar, Willy Howells and friends Ian and Andrew Moffatt – who regularly crew for Morgan – were a big help. I'm especially pleased with the job my daughter Bailey does as my spotter. She's only 16 years old, but provides clear and concise information about what's going on around the racetrack."
After the Peterborough effort, Linc Brown sits 11th in series points. The next event on the agenda for the APC Pro Late Model Series is Sunday, August 2nd at Sauble Speedway. For 2015, the #99 team is supported by Kawartha Metals Corporation, Don Butt Auto Body, Belleville Transmission & Auto Service, Mayhew Graphics, Rousseau Publications, Milner Financial Planners & Insurance Brokers and Clarke Motorsports Communications.
For sponsorship and marketing opportunities with Linc Brown Motorsports, contact 99.linc.brown@gmail.com.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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