After a successful Sportsman career in which Brian won the Sportsman title at NBIS in 2006 and a close second place finish in 2007, Brian debuted a new Pro Stock machine at Centre for Speed’s “Atlantic Championships” in October, 2007. With the help of veteran Ernie Ledwedge in the “spotters chair”, Brian came home with a very impressive sixth place finish.

The new car - October 2007

Thus began a new chapter for the man nicknamed “Flyin’ Brian with the lofty goal of winning the “Rookie of the Year” trophy in Pro Stock at the newly renamed “Speedway 660”. Despite his many years of driving experience in Sportsman, Pro Stock cars are “a world apart” and Speedway 660 rules state that all “rookies” must start from the rear for the first five races.

With all this under his belt, and the season complete at Speedway 660, Brian once again headed down the road to Centre for Speed for the Atlantic Championships at Shediac. For most of the race Brian ran in the top three until an unfortunate spin on lap 87 forced him one lap down, where he finished but with an impressive tenth place showing.

The first race of 2008

In victory lane with the “Rookie” title

Peterbilt 250 action

Battling for the lead with Wayne Smith(44) and Kirk Thibeau(28) during Atlantic Championships

Opening day action - 2009

The 2009 season held great promise for Flyin’ Brian and the #18 machine, but life was about to turn on a dime for the popular driver. Just a few weeks before the start of the season, personal family illness entered the picture and Brian was late getting the finishing touches in place. For a time, it was doubtful that Brian would even make the first race but hard work and dedication by his crew and himself paid off. The car was not co-operating however, leaving Brian mired mid pack in the Championship points race.

Then, in July, illness again raised its head on MacNaughton, this his crew chief and valued friend Eric who suffered a heart attack. Brian immediately put a decal, in Eric’s honour, on the car and things slowly began to come around until fate dealt a hand by way of a serious collision, all but ending his title hopes for the year.

Brian and crew in Victory Lane after his “Grand Slam” on the final points weekend

Brian with the “Get Well Soon, Eric” decal on the car

The last two weeks of the season things finally got straightened out and Brian made a charge toward the top of the leader board, including a sweep of the races on the final day, giving him a third place finish for the year, all that possibly could be attained.

The pair of extended distance races close out the season for Pro Stocks and they were good in the early going but mechanical failures left Brian with little to show for great efforts at both the Peterbilt 250 and the Atlantic Championships. Brian did capture a qualifying heat in the Peterbilt 250