By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
A trip to a new track for the NASCAR Xfinity Series means that Brandon Brown will manage the expectations for himself and Brandonbilt Motorsports.
The Pacific Automation 147 will be the first race for the Xfinity Series at Portland International Raceway. The 1.980-mile road course is not on iRacing, or most simulation software, making preparation for the race difficult.
The ARCA Menards Series West has visited the current configuration of the track five times since 2009. Though the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has visited the track twice, both were on different layouts.
“It’s hard to prepare for a track like Portland,” admitted Brown. “We’re getting ready to race on a long, really flat road course. It’ll be the most beneficial to watch the old ARCA West races to prepare for it.
“It’s tough because Portland is just such a flat racetrack, or at least it appears to be. COTA has a lot of elevation change in the track, and so does Road America. Mid-Ohio has a lot of elevation change and tight technical corners. You have to pick and choose a corner from each track to build Portland.”
Brown has two top-10 finishes in 16 starts on road courses. However, those two came on wildly different road courses, the Daytona International Speedway Road Course and the mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. With the limited road course experience, the Woodbridge, VA native is realistic with his expectations.
“We have to manage expectations because we know that if we can stay alive, stay on track, maybe we can squeeze ourselves into the top-10,” explained Brown. “Realistically a top-20, top-15 would be a good day, but a top-10 would be great.”
The driver of the No. 68 Brandonbilt Foundations Chevrolet Camaro SS enters Portland 17th in the championship points standings. The 28-year-old is 76-points behind the playoff cutline currently held by Ryan Sieg.
The Pacific Automation 147 is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. EST on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday June 4.
Featured Photo Credit: Photo by NKP / NKP Photo.
