Note – This article originally appeared in the May 29, 2015 edition of the Ohsweken Speedway souvenir program.
“TOP 10”…WITH CRATE SPRINT CAR DRIVER JAKE BROWN
By Tommy Goudge (May 25, 2015) – Our series of interviews for the 2015 season continues with sophomore Crate Sprint Car driver Jake Brown, who spoke with us during the week before Opening Night. A graduate of the Mini Stock and Thunder Stock divisions, and younger brother of 360 Sprint Car driver Mitch Brown, Jake won two features during his rookie season in the Crate Sprint Car division, and finished third in the championship standings.
Jake Brown – Fast Facts
Car #: 1-10
Birthdate: May 10, 1995
Hometown: Brantford ON
Occupation: Mechanic
Website: www.MitchBrownRacing.com
Twitter: @iantnorookie
Car Owner: Doug Brown
Sponsors: APC, Strode’s Express, Brown Auto Service, Bernie’s Auto Body, Metal Work, DJ Deliveries
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TG: When you’re lined up waiting to go out on the track for a race, what is going through your mind?
JB: Not much comes to mind, other than go fast, be smooth and, most of all, be consistent every lap around.
TG: What do you remember about the first time you saw racing at Ohsweken Speedway?
JB: (It) was when my brother first started out racing Mini Stocks, and all I could remember was the roar of the motors, and how I loved it.
TG: If money were no object and you could race anywhere, in anything, what would you choose?
JB: I would love to just keep doing Sprint Car racing, only on a larger scale – hopefully racing 10 or 11 months of the year. Nothing else compares to Sprint Car racing and the passion people have for it, especially in such states as Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana.
TG: If you could change one thing in racing (a rule, etc…), what would it be?
JB: I really have no complaints. I love everything about dirt track racing.
TG: We hear all the time that it is hard to draw young people to short track racing, either as fans or racers – How do you think more members of your generation could become interested in racing?
JB: I think that younger generations really have to see racing first hand to see how fast we go – to see the battles that take place on the track that get fans on the edges of their seats, and keep them either coming back to watch or compete in racing themselves.
TG: Which driver do you most enjoy competing against, and why?
JB: I wouldn’t say I enjoy competing against one particular driver – I’m just competing trying to catch whoever is in front of me.
TG: What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in racing that you would like to have been given when you started?
JB: I would say always look at the positives, whether it’s making a top ten finish, setting the car up different to make it handle better, etc…Just always be positive because you get nowhere in life being negative. Strive to be better every time you’re on the track, and success will come.
TG: Who is an autograph you got as a kid that seemed to be a big deal to you at the time?
JB: I never really got an autograph from anyone who was a big deal to me growing up. I just always looked up to my Grandpa Harold and the way he lived his life, worked, and raced.
TG: If you have kids someday, who would you point to as a good role model in the pit area?
JB: I’d tell them to look up to whoever is a hard worker, and is a positive, humble person.
TG: I’m asking each person to give me a question for the next interview. Mark Bazuin asks “Who do you think is an up and coming driver to watch for?”
JB: Dylan Westbrook in the #47x (crate sprint) car. He is a smart kid who picks up what the track is doing.
TG: …And do you have a question for the next person?
JB: Who is your biggest idol in life?
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Do you have a question you’ve always wanted to ask your favourite Ohsweken Speedway personality, or suggestion for someone you’d like to see featured in a future edition of “Top 10″? E-mail us at media@ohswekenspeedway.com, and stay tuned for future editions of “Top 10″ printed in our weekly program, and on www.OhswekenSpeedway.com!