Memphis: Bryan Tyler preview

Racing in Memphis Brings Special Memories For Brian Tyler and Family

Memphis, TN -- April 23, 2004 -- The last time Brian Tyler raced a Silver CrownTM car in Memphis, he walked away with two trophies, one as winner of the Memphis 100 and the other, a new baby boy. Little Robert was born hours after Tyler won the 2000 Memphis 100 USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series race.

The Tyler's were expecting their son any day so Brian's wife Donna stayed home with her mom in Indianapolis to watch the race on live television.

"It was quite an exciting day," stated Donna Tyler. "We don't travel separately very often and I was ready to have this baby."

Brian started 8th and had moved up through the field to 2nd when something broke on the left front shock. Watching at home, Donna had to know what was wrong with the car.

"I called his crew chief on the sprint car and said, "What is wrong with the car?" I was excited and antsy about him having that problem."

The Hoffman team worked diligently and fixed the car during a red flag. When the race resumed, Brian again marched up to second place.

"Ryan Newman and I were running together and he had a little bit of bad luck this time and something on his car broke," said Brian.

"He won that event that day and my mom turned to me and she said "Donna will Brian say anything in the winners circle?" and I said "Oh no mom he won't say anything." I'll be darned that when he was interviewed he thanked me for letting him go down there and letting him play and that we were expecting our child Robert."

Donna called her husband to congratulate him on the win and told him to hurry home. Donna called Brian later that night to tell him that her water had broken and she was on the way to the hospital. Brian headed straight for Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana and arrived at about 4am. The couple's second child Robert was born at 10:30am in the morning.

"Memphis will always be a special place to Brian, Robert and I because of what happened that weekend," said Donna.

This year Bryan Tyler hopes to walk away with two trophies and $50,000 dollars in his pocket by winning the 410 Wingless Challenge and the Memphis USAC 100.

"I would love to win both," said Bryan. "Memphis means a lot to us, plus there is a pretty good size bonus."

The trip will mark Tyler's first to the dirt track at Memphis Motorsports Park. The Indiana native has driven in all three previous Silver CrownTM events at Memphis finishing 5th on 1998 and winning in 2000. He has also driven a Busch Series car at the track twice.

When not tending to her children Owen 9 and Robert 3, Donna Tyler sells American Racer tires.

The Big M Motorfest presented by Brim's Snack Foods runs May 7th and 8th at the Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, TN. The event kicks off with the 410 Wingless Challenge Friday night. Saturday morning features Southern Rides Magazine's AutoFest and Saturday afternoon features the Memphis USAC 100. For tickets or questions about the event, please call 1-800-868-8406 or log on at www.bigmmotorfest.com.

-bj-