BROWN-OUT AT BARRIE SPEEDWAY: FOILS STRONG RUN BY NAPA/AUTOPRO TEAM

Release Prepared By: Ken Spencer, Marketing and Media Relations, Brown Auto Racing

July 4, 2005 - If one didn’t know better, one would suspect Doug Brown was getting his electrical power from Hydro One. One minute everything was generating just fine in his NAPA/Autopro Monte Carlo, then without warning, the car suddenly shut down following a restart that left him stranded on the track and forcing a caution flag.

The incident happened twice during the running of the “Dodge Charger 300” at the recently reconfigured Barrie Speedway and forced the team to take a five-lap penalty for repairs under red flag conditions well past the half way point in the marathon 300-lap event. A faulty battery was the suspected problem.

“The car just quit”, Doug shouted through his radio when the car shut down following a restart. He was in a strong running position at the time of the problem. The car re-fired in the pits during the caution break but the delay cost him a couple of laps in the running order. It redeveloped several laps later under similar circumstances.

At the mid point in the contest Doug had worked his way up to third place and appeared to have a strong contending car using a timely pit stop and taking advantage of the pit stops of others to work his way forward from his 14th starting position in the 22 car field.

“The car was definitely hooked up today’’ the sweat drenched driver remarked following the race. “We were capable of at least a seventh-place finish and possibly better had we not had that battery problem.”

For many, the cars they loaded on their haulers at the end of the Canada Day weekend bore little resemblance to the immaculate machines that lined the front stretch for the pre-race autograph/photo sessions. Most went home minus hoods, front fenders and an assortment of rear clip and quarter panel damages that resulted from skirmishes with lapped cars or from battles with the deteriorating track conditions. The #10 car was among the victims who will have extensive repairs to perform before their next oval track outing.

It took 12 caution periods (totalling 83 laps) - including two mandated by Series’ officials for track maintenance- to complete the entertaining event.

Despite the results appearing on team monitors at the end of the day that showed the #10 car in the tenth finishing position, unofficial results placed the car thirteenth. The team has subsequently filed an appeal with CASCAR to review the final results.

Local favourite Mark Dilley of Barrie, driving the Dodge/Mobil One/ Power Water Dodge Charger outdistanced Kerry Micks of Mt. Albert (Power Water Ford Taurus) and D.J. Kennington of St. Thomas (Castrol; Dodge) to claim the victory. Defending Super series Champion Don Thomson of Hamilton in a Chev and Dave Whitlock of Wyoming rounded out the top five positions.

Doug Brown and the rest of the CASCAR Super Series teams now head to Toronto’s lakefront for this weekend‘s Molson Indy extravaganza where they will play a major support role in the special week long racing and off track activities.

For additional information on Brown Auto Racing, see www.dougbrown.net or contact Doug Brown at (519) 752-9531.