Brian Brown

Brian Brown talks with Tony Stewart during the 2013 National Open at Williams Grove. Brown is PennLive's pick to win this year's Knoxville Nationals. (Jeremy Elliott | jelliott@pennlive.com)

KNOXVILLE, IOWA: Sprint Car fans in the central Pennsylvania region and in California might not have an appreciation for Brian Brown.

Oh, they have read the name a time or two. It's hard not to with trade papers covering Brown's exploits in the Midwest.

People just haven't seen Brown enough. He has only visited the far ends of the United States once or, maybe, twice in his career, which forces fans to rely on statistics instead of using the eye test as an evaluation.

Brown isn't mentioned in the same breath as the top names from the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. He has yet to beat the likes of Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Joey Saldana in a sanctioned event.

But trust me, Brown is still pretty good.

Brown will show that this weekend. He is going to become a household name in the Sprint Car racing world when he claims the biggest and most prestigious dirt-track race on the planet, the Knoxville Nationals.

On the surface, that seems like a bold statement. Especially with that guy named Schatz winning seven of the last eight Nationals championships.

There is no denying Schatz's dominance in this event. It doesn't seem to matter where he starts — he marched from 21st to first a year ago — or who is running up front. When that STP No. 15 shows the nose, it's over.

Brown found that out last season. He was a rocket out front, leading 40 laps before Schatz shattered his dream.

This year is different. Brown is not only hungry, he is fast. A dangerous Knoxville Nationals combination.

Two weeks ago, Brown was the quickest car during a regular show at the Marion County Fairgrounds. The Grain Valley, Mo., was challenging Ian Madsen before the two got together entering Turn 3.

Brown came back last Saturday and won the 360 Sprint Nationals. On Sunday, he stormed from eighth to second in the Capitani Classic.

Still not convinced?

I've always believed a driver needs to fail before he triumphs. How many guys, other than Doug Wolfgang or Steve Kinser, have been an instant Knoxville Nationals success story? Making this field is a challenge.

In 2012, Brown shocked the crowd by coming on late and tracking Schatz down. One more lap, and he is the one standing at the top of the podium getting the celebratory confetti bath and a fat paycheck.

Last year was a bitter disappointment. Brown was fast early and looked like a sure winner, but he didn't have enough juice to hold Schatz back at the end.

Ever since that defeat, Brown's team has been all about winning the Knoxville Nationals. Every change, every decision has been with this year's Knoxville Nationals in mind.

Brown's team is dialed in and peaking at the right time. He is focused and looks like a driver ready to win.

When Brown does pass under the checkered flags Saturday night — it could happen Sunday if bad weather persists — he will be the first Knoxville Raceway regular to capture the Nationals since 1977.

Doug Wolfgang brought down the house that night. Now, it's Brown's turn to become a Sprint Car celebrity and achieve dirt-track immortality.