Late Race Mishaps Lead to Heartbreak for Brown, T and C Motorsports

RURAL HALL, N.C. (April 4, 2011) – Tim Brown and the T and C Motorsports team had the Hayes Jewelers and Wall 2 Wall modified capable of contending for the win in Saturday night’s Hickory 150 until an unfortunate event in the closing laps left them with a disappointing 16th place finish.

The disheartening results dropped them seven spots to 9th in the point standings, 85 markers behind point leader George Brunnhoelzl III.

First and final practice exemplified the power of the Bob Bruneau motor and how well the No. 02 car was handling. “This is the best handling car I’ve ever driven”, Brown radioed to his crew before securing fourth fastest in final practice. Later, touring the .363 mile oval in 14.350 seconds at 91.066 mph landed Brown a ninth place starting position.

Chilly temperatures and 40 mph winds greeted the starting line up shortly after 8:00pm. As the 18-car field rolled around to the green flag, Brown wasted no time climbing through the field. The pack remained tight through the opening laps as Brown made his way up to sixth position and fought his competitors off. Up until lap 30, he was back and forth between fifth and ninth until eventually making his way up to third on lap 34 where he remained over the following fifteen laps.

Keeping in the top five was no problem for the Rocket until he began to fall back through the pack on lap 85. Brown radioed to his crew that the car had become too tight and “wouldn’t turn a lick”. They made the decision to stay out and try to see what they could finish with. However, after fighting the ill-handling car for several more laps, Brown made a pit stop on lap 113 under caution. Returning to the track in 15th position, Brown was still struggling with the car and came back in to pit on lap 134. After finding that the right front tire had a leak, the crew quickly changed the tire and tried to send Brown back to the track. Unfortunately, officials held Brown and NASCAR penalized him five laps for an “unapproved tire change” before realizing that the tire was losing air. With only five laps remaining in the race after facing the five lap penalty, Brown parked the car for the night.

“The Hayes Jewelers, Wall 2 Wall, T and C Motorsports modified was good tonight. I was pleased with the car and the preparation by the team. Unfortunate circumstances took us out of contending for the win. I’m sure we will be strong and a team to watch this season”, said Brown.

“Tim did a great job, and we had a strong car at Hickory. Unfortunately, the No. 02 suffered a parts failure at the end of the race, which was disappointing for the team. We are excited to head to South Boston in two weeks”, stated the Lythgoe's.

Despite the less-than-desired results, Brown and the T and C Motorsports crew are focused on heading to South Boston Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 16th, and once again contending for their first win of the season!

Brown Runner Up in Season Opener at Caraway Speedway

RURAL HALL, N.C. (March 15, 2011) – Tim Brown, driver of the No. 02 Hayes Jewelers and Wall 2 Wall modified, coasted to a second place finish in the Spring Classic 150 at Caraway Speedway this past Sunday, March 13th.

Brown and the 02 team were very happy with the car in practice on Saturday. Later that afternoon, he landed a seventh place starting position after touring the .455-mile banked oval in 15.961 seconds at a speed of 102.625 mph.

Great weather and a large crowd greeted the starting line up shortly after 3:30pm. As the 22-car field came around to the green flag, Brown was quickly battling for seventh position on the outside line. After clinching the seventh spot within the first few laps, he moved on to race side-by-side with the No. 40 for sixth. By the time the first caution flag waved on lap 64, The Rocket had made his way up to fifth position.

Restarting on the outside throughout several cautions over the following 50 laps caused Brown to fall back through the pack as he was hung on the outside. With close to 40 laps to go, he radioed to his crew that he had “driven it too hard and killed the right rear”. However, the decision to stay out and see what they could do in the remainder of the race was made.

The closing laps were nothing short of exciting. After several more cautions and some cars in the front of the pack being involved in wrecks, Brown was sitting in third position for the restart on lap 128. He quickly took over second position after the green flag was once again waved. With a powerful car and his determination he was able to hold onto second until crossing the checkered on lap 150.

“The team has worked really hard on this 02 Hayes Jewelers, Wall 2 Wall modified over the winter and we are beyond excited to come out here and finish second in the first race of the season. Tom and Connie are wonderful people to work with and drive for and I just want thank them for this great opportunity. We now know what changes we need to make to the car and look forward to coming back in two weeks and hopefully getting a win,” stated Brown.

One race into the 14 race scheduled season Brown sits second in the point standings, a mere 15 points behind the winner of Sunday’s race, George Brunnhoelzl III.

"Tim and the entire 02 team did a great job at Caraway, and we're thrilled to start the season with a strong finish! We're very fortunate to have Hayes Jewelers and Neal & Arcy Wall (Wall 2 Wall) on board with us this year. We look forward to going back to Caraway in two weeks," said the Lythgoe's.

The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modifed Tour returns to Caraway on Saturday, March 26th, for the Caraway 150. Don’t miss it as Brown and the T and C Motorsports team attempt to bring home the first win of the 2011 season!

Brown, T and C Motorsports set to kick off 2011 season at Caraway Speedway

RURAL HALL, N.C. (March 9, 2011) – Tim Brown, driver of the No. 02 T and C Motorsports modified owned by Tom and Connie Lythgoe, will kick off the 2011 season with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour at the Spring Classic 150 at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, N.C. this weekend, March 12th and 13th.

This year will mark Brown’s 20th year of racing and his fifth year with the NWSMT series. He has finished second in the point standings on the tour three out of the five seasons. The Lythgoes, Brown, and team have been diligently working on the car since the end of the 2010 season and are anxiously awaiting this weekend’s season opener.

The No. 02 T and C Motorsports modified team is fortunate enough to have many great associate sponsors, and is also happy to welcome Hayes Jewelers and Wall 2 Wall aboard for the 2011 season.

"We are so excited to get the 2011 season started this weekend. We've been working hard all winter at the NC shop and the VA shop, and we can't wait to get to Caraway. We think we'll see a full field of cars at the season opener." said the Lythgoe's.

The race at Caraway Speedway will be the first of six NWSMT events to be hosted there in the 2011 season. This will be the 32nd NWSMT event held on the .455-mile banked oval track, making it the NWSMT “home track”. Brown has won two events at the track over his five year career with the NWSMT series. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, and the race on Sunday.

With a slightly different car scheme, a dedicated team, and a talented driver, the No. 02 team believes they will be the team to beat this year! Don’t miss the first green flag of the season as it is set to wave at 3p.m. on Sunday, March 13th.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Tim Brown and the Brown Motorsports crew!

Unforgettable Night for Brown, T and C Motorsports

RURAL HALL, N.C. (September 9, 2010) – An array of emotions filled victory lane on Saturday night at Langley Speedway as Tim Brown, driver of the No. 02 T and C Motorsports modified, brought home the first NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour win for car owners, Tommy and Connie Lythgoe, in the Visit Hampton 150.

The win was Brown’s sixth career victory with the NWSMT series and the first victory since he won at Caraway Speedway in September of 2008.

The first place finish moved the Cana, Va. native up one position to 10th in the point standings, 30 markers behind the No. 44 of Brandon Hire in ninth.

The power behind the No. 02 car was on display in both practices on Saturday afternoon. Brown was third on the charts in final practice, later, clinching 5th fastest in qualifying after touring the .4 mile track in 15.965 seconds at a speed of 90.831 mph. After the redraw for the top eight starting positions, Brown was set to roll off of the starting grid in second, on the outside of the No. 4 of Jason Myers.

The fans were on their feet to greet the starting line up shortly after 7:40 p.m. As the 15-car field came around to the green flag, Brown wasted no time clinching the lead. By the events first yellow flag on lap-6, he had lost the lead and had taken over second position. Over the following 50 circuits, Brown began to fall back through the field before closing in on fifth; however, he had a plan in place which would later pay off for him. Regaining fourth position on lap-61, Brown slowly began to make his way back up through the field.

As the laps ticked by, Brown slowly crept back up through the field and had grasped second once again by lap-91. Over the last portion of the 150 lap event, Brown began to gain ground on the leader. Side-by-side with the No. 79 of James Civali for the lead with 20 laps to go, Brown finally won the battle and held the rest of the field off during the closing laps. Anticipation took over the No. 02 crew before relief and excitement were sought as Brown crossed the checkered, taking the win.

“I am so proud to have given Tom and Connie their first tour win. I want to personally thank them for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It was a great experience at Langley, and I look forward to racing there again in the future. I would like Allie to know that we are thinking about her and wish her well, and we hope she enjoys the trophy. Thanks to all the fans and the race track for their wonderful hospitality.” stated Brown.

Proud car owners, Tom and Connie, were overwhelmed with excitement, "Tim drove a perfect race, taking care of the car and having something at the end of the race. He is so smart. We are very fortunate to have him drive the #02." they stated.

Brown and the T and C Motorsports crew were relieved to see their luck make such a turn. They will head to Tri-County Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 25, with hopes of landing the pole and their second win of the season!

Tim Brown Claims 4th Victory of the Season

RURAL HALL, N.C. (August 20, 2010) – “The Rocket” Tim Brown was able to overcome some of the bad luck that he and the Brown Motorsports crew have had lately with a win in the first 25 lap event, followed by a 10th place finish in the second 25 lap event at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cana, Va. Native maintained 4th in the point standings, 12 points behind the No. 77 of Lee Jeffreys in 3rd position.

The Rocket proved to be just that, a rocket, in both evening practices. Later, he captured a second place starting position after posting a time of 13.326 seconds in qualifying.

Hot and humid temperatures greeted the starting line up shortly after 8:45 p.m. Brown started on the outside of the No. 77 of Lee Jeffreys on the front row. As the field came around to the green flag, Brown wasted no time clinching the lead. He was able to maintain the lead through the 25 lap event which only had two cautions. Coming to the checkered on lap 25 in the lead, he collected his fourth victory of the season.

Following The Rocket’s win, he drew 12th in the Madhouse scramble. As the green was waved, Brown immediately began trying to make his way through the field. He quickly made his way up to the 10th position by the fourth circuit. Maintaining 10th throughout the remainder of the race which aided no cautions, he crossed the checkered in 10th place on lap 25.

“I am proud of my team and the performance of the Hayes Jewelers modified. We were able to win for the fourth time this season in front of a packed house at BGS. Still not the season we were hoping for, but the performance is still there. We will try to finish with yet another win in the season finale. It’s a shame we didn’t have the chance for our ninth championship due to all the misfortune this season, but we will be back next season ready to try again.” stated Brown.

With only one race remaining in the season, Brown and his crew are focused on ending the 2010 season on a high note with another pole and win in the Carolina Farm Credit 150! Don’t miss this double points season finale at the Madhouse this Saturday, August 21!

Brown Pairs with T and C Motorsports for the Remainder of the 2010 NWSMT season

Tim Brown will drive the No. 02 T and C Motorsports modified, owned by Tommy and Connie Lythgoe, for the remaining 2010 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races.

Brown, better known as “The Rocket”, made his debut in the No. 02 modified in the NWSMT race at Bowman Gray Stadium last Saturday, August 7th. After starting in the 9th position, a cut right front tire early in the race sent him into the wall and put them nearly 100 laps down. The car had the potential of being a top 3 finisher, however, he crossed the checkered in 15th place.

The No. 02 T and C Motorsports team and Brown head to Bristol Motor Speedway for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 this Wednesday, August 18th. The race will air live on SPEED at 6:00 p.m.

“When we decided that we needed a driver for the No. 02 car, Tim was our first choice. We had already talked to his brother, Ben, a few times about the possibility of Tim being in the car. Buddy wasn’t going to be able to race the rest of the season due to work and it just worked out well to put Tim in the car. We are tickled that he is able to drive it. The whole crew has worked out great; they have been to my house twice already to work on the car and everything has come together very well.” stated Tommy Lythgoe. “Connie and I have asked Tim to race the rest of the season for us, and at the end of the year if we are all pleased with the results, then we will discuss next season.”

There are five races remaining in the 2010 season and Brown is currently 11th in points, a mere 19 points behind the No. 31 of Gene Pack.

“I want to thank Tommy and Connie, and the entire T and C Motorsports crew for the opportunity to race the No. 02 car for the remainder of the 2010 season. They have been great to work with and I look forward to what the rest of the season holds for our partnership.” stated Brown.

Don’t miss the racing action as the modifieds head to Thunder Valley this Wednesday, August 18th!