Brian Frisselle
| Brian Frisselle | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | December 28, 1983 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| WeatherTech SportsCar Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2014 |
| Former teams | Action Express Racing |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Previous series | |
| 2005–2013 | Rolex Sports Car Series |
Brian Parker Frisselle[1] (born December 28, 1983) is an American former racing driver who primarily competed in the Rolex Sports Car Series.
Frisselle is a four-time Daytona Prototype race-winner, and finished third overall at the 2014 24 Hours of Daytona.
Career[edit]
Early career[edit]
Frisselle was born into a racing family, spearheaded by his grandfather and father Brad; an IMSA GT Championship GTU class champion and an overall winner at the 1977 12 Hours of Sebring.[2] As such, Brian began competing in karts at a young age, kicking off his racing career at the Jim Hall Kart Racing School in Ventura County, California at the age of ten.[3] Following a family move to New Hampshire, Brian and brother Burt began competing in snowmobile racing, an activity befitting their new place of residence.[2]
In 2002, however, Brian returned to the track, taking part in the Formula Dodge National Championship for a pair of races. With an initial career goal of competing in the IndyCar Series,[2] Frisselle climbed the American open-wheel racing ladder, competing in the Formula Dodge National Championship in 2003.[3] 2004 saw Frisselle compete full-time in the new Formula BMW USA championship, alongside the Star Mazda Championship. In the former, he scored two podium finishes, including a season-high second at Road America,[4] en route to a sixth-place championship finish. Frisselle was also forced to miss the second race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after suffering a neck sprain in a crash.[5]
Rolex Sports Car Series[edit]
In 2005, Frisselle shifted gears from open-wheel competition and began his career in sports car racing, taking on a drive in the Rolex Sports Car Series with Daytona Prototype team Synergy Racing. Frisselle's co-driver for his maiden year of endurance racing was his brother, Burt.[6] Brian would endure a quiet season in the fiercely-competitive class, claiming a best overall finish of ninth at Mont-Tremblant and Watkins Glen. Tallying 227 championship points, the brothers concluded the season 17th in the DP-class championship. Brian and Burt returned to the team for 2006, enduring another quiet campaign with finishes in and around the top ten. Following the round at Mid-Ohio, the brothers departed the team, finishing the season with a pair of drives for fellow DP team Michael Shank Racing with a GT-class start for Tyler Tadevic sandwiched in-between.[7] Their fifth-place finish at Barber Motorsports Park would prove to be their joint-best of the 2006 season.
In 2007, the brothers were initially set to part ways for the first time in Brian's sports car career, with Brian moving to Canadian team AIM Autosport.[6] However, they would be reunited as the season continued, once again tallying a best finish of fifth in the season-opening 24 Hours of Daytona. Later in the season, prior to the round at VIR, the brothers took part in late model competition at Motor Mile Speedway.[8] The two officially split in 2008, with Brian pairing full-time with Mark Wilkins to continue with AIM Autosport.[9]
The season started off slowly for the pairing, retiring at the Rolex 24 and tallying just one top-ten finish in the first three races. However, a streak of four consecutive top-ten finishes followed, culminating with a pole position for Wilkins at Daytona in July.[10] However, finishes of 18th and 15th would follow, ahead of the team's first victory of the season (and the first of Frisselle's Rolex Sports Car Series career) in Montreal. Erstwhile leader Darren Law ran out of fuel on the way to the line, and Wilkins won a drag race between himself and the #16 entry to score the closest win in series history at 0.064 seconds.[11] The following race at Watkins Glen saw Frisselle claim his first individual pole position in the series.[12] Leading off from pole, Frisselle and Wilkins led 79 of 82 race laps, claiming the entry's second consecutive race victory and the second of Frisselle's career.[13] Another podium finish would follow in the next round at Sonoma, and the entry would claim their third pole of the season during the penultimate round of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park. At the conclusion of the season, Wilkins and Frisselle found themselves fifth in the championship.
Departure from AIM Autosport (2009–2013)[edit]
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Following his breakout 2008 season, Frisselle signed with SunTrust Racing, replacing Michael Valiante as Max Angelelli's co-driver for 2009.[14] Frisselle kicked off the season with a career-best fourth-place finish at the Rolex 24, before taking the team's first podium of the season two rounds later in New Jersey. Following consecutive podiums at Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen, Angelelli and Frisselle broke through for their first victory of the season at Daytona in July. The victory was the third of Frisselle's career, and the first for SunTrust Racing in almost a year.[15] The entry finished outside the top ten in the next two race events, before returning to the top step of the podium at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.[16] The duo would conclude the season with another podium at Miller Motorsports Park, registering a total of six podiums and two race victories over the course of the season. Frisselle finished the season just 12 points shy of champions Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney, tallying a third-place points finish.
For 2010, Frisselle departed SunTrust Racing, pivoting to fellow DP-class contenders Michael Shank Racing.[17] He paired for the full season with Valiante, whom he had replaced just the previous season in the SunTrust entry. Valiante and Frisselle would claim a single podium finish over the course of the season, taking third overall at Lime Rock Park. Ultimately, the duo would claim a ninth-place points finish. Following a serious fire suffered during the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, the team was forced to switch from a Riley chassis to Dallara from the Mid-Ohio round onwards.[18]
The 2011 season saw Frisselle join his third team in as many seasons, joining the #77 entry fielded by Doran Racing.[19] Frisselle formed a Pro-Am combination, driving for the full season alongside Frenchman Henri Richard.[20] Frisselle began the season with a 7th-place qualifying result at the Rolex 24.[21] The pairing endured a difficult start to the season, retiring in the first two races of the season. During the fourth round of the season at VIR, Frisselle and Richard claimed their best finish of the season, registering a fifth-place result.[22] Later that season at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the duo were on pace for a strong finish before cooling issues relegated them to a ninth-place finish.[23] Richard vacated his seat for the final round after locking up the Rookie of the Year award before the final round at Mid-Ohio, paving the way for Frisselle and brother Burt to reunite for the first time since 2006.[24] Frisselle returned to Doran Racing for a part-time schedule in 2012, taking part in the Rolex 24,[25] 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, and the season finale at Lime Rock.
For the final season of the Rolex Sports Car Series, Frisselle joined Action Express Racing for a full-season campaign.[26] The season saw Frisselle claim a single podium finish at Road America, paired with his brother.[27] During the final race of the season, and the last in series history, Frisselle made his 100th career start.[28]
Later career[edit]
The new-for-2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship introduced upgraded Daytona Prototype entries, and Frisselle continued with Action Express for the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup in an entry fielded in partnership with Delta-ADR.[29][30] At the 2014 24 Hours of Daytona, Frisselle claimed his first podium finish at the event, despite battling a throttle problem for most of the race.[31] The #9 entry entered the 2014 running of Petit Le Mans in contention for the Endurance Cup title,[32] but a 10th-place finish saw them fall short.
In December 2014, Frisselle won the 25 Hours of Thunderhill alongside co-drivers Randy Pobst, Alex Lloyd, and Kyle Marcelli.[33]
Personal life[edit]
Born in California, Frisselle has lived in New Hampshire, Colorado, and Hawaii throughout his life.[34] Frisselle graduated from Seabury Hall in Makawao, Hawaii.[11]
Frisselle and brother Burt hosted a Denver Broncos podcast in Aspen, Colorado during their residence there.[34] Frisselle's mother is from Colorado, and he considers himself a Broncos fan.[35]
Following his racing career, Frisselle took up a position at the family business, Fahrenheit Body Spas.[36]
Racing record[edit]
Career summary[edit]
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Formula Dodge National Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 35th | |
| 2002-03 | Formula Dodge Western Race Series | 14 | 7 | ? | ? | ? | 221 | 2nd | |
| 2003 | Formula Dodge National Championship | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 138 | 4th | |
| Formula TR Pro Series FR 1600 | ? | 0 | ? | ? | 1 | ? | 5th | ||
| 2004 | Formula BMW USA | Atlantic Racing Team PoleVision Racing |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 68 | 6th |
| Star Mazda Championship | 7 | 0 | 0 | ? | 1 | 148 | 22nd | ||
| 2005 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Synergy Racing | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 227 | 17th |
| 2006 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Synergy Racing Michael Shank Racing |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 34th |
| Rolex Sports Car Series – GT | Tyler Tadevic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 71st | |
| 2007 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | AIM Autosport | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 183 | 33rd |
| 2008 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 332 | 5th | |
| 2009 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | SunTrust Racing | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 325 | 3rd |
| 2010 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Michael Shank Racing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 287 | 14th |
| 2011 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Doran Racing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 263 | 8th |
| 2012 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Doran Racing Action Express Racing |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 20th |
| 2013 | Rolex Sports Car Series – DP | Action Express Racing | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 276 | 8th |
| 2014 | United SportsCar Championship – Prototype | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 106 | 22nd |
Complete Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series results[edit]
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Synergy Racing | DP | Doran DP | Ford | DAY 17 |
MIA 15 |
CAL 18 |
LGA 23 |
MON 9 |
WGL 9 |
DAY 19 |
BAR 16 |
WGL 11 |
MDO 11 |
PHO 17 |
WGL 14 |
VIR 19 |
MEX 13 |
17th | 227 |
| 2006 | Synergy Racing | DP | Doran DP | Porsche | DAY 25 |
MEX 10 |
MIA 27 |
LBH 26 |
VIR 25 |
LGA 17 |
PHO 22 |
WGL 9 |
MDO 22 |
DAY | WGL | 34th | 176 | |||
| Tyler Tadevic | GT | Pontiac GTO.R | Pontiac | BAR 5 |
||||||||||||||||
| Michael Shank Racing | DP | Riley DP | Lexus | SON 11 |
MIL 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | AIM Autosport | DP | Riley DP | Lexus | DAY 5 |
MEX 7 |
MIA 10 |
VIR 14 |
LGA 9 |
WGL 14 |
MDO 14 |
DAY 12 |
IOW 15 |
BAR 12 |
MON 7 |
WGL 14 |
SON 9 |
MIL 11 |
33rd | 183 |
| 2008 | AIM Autosport | DP | Riley DP | Ford | DAY 19 |
MIA 8 |
MEX 15 |
VIR 6 |
LGA 6 |
WGL 7 |
MDO 4 |
DAY 18 |
BAR 15 |
MON 1 |
WGL 1 |
SON 3 |
JER 6 |
MIL 6 |
5th | 332 |
| 2009 | SunTrust Racing | DP | Dallara DP08 | Ford 5.0L V8 | DAY 4 |
VIR 13 |
JER 2 |
LGA 3 |
WGL 2 |
MDO 8 |
DAY 1 |
BAR 14 |
WGL 12 |
MON 1 |
MIL 2 |
MIA 7 |
3rd | 325 | ||
| 2010 | Michael Shank Racing | DP | Riley Mk. XX | Ford 5.0L V8 | DAY 7 |
MIA 10 |
BAR 7 |
VIR 7 |
LIM 3 |
WGL 13 |
9th | 287 | ||||||||
| Dallara DP08 | MDO 4 |
DAY 12 |
JER 7 |
WGL 6 |
MON 6 |
MIL 6 |
||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Doran Racing | DP | Dallara DP | Ford | DAY 17 |
MIA 13 |
BAR 10 |
VIR 5 |
LIM 8 |
WGL 6 |
ELK 9 |
LGA 9 |
JER 9 |
WGL 8 |
MON 8 |
MDO 9 |
8th | 263 | ||
| 2012 | Doran Racing | DP | Dallara DP | Ford | DAY 7 |
BAR | MIA | JER | DET | MDO | ELK | WGL 10 |
IMS | WGL | MON | LGA | 20th | 73 | ||
| Action Express Racing | Corvette DP | Chevrolet | LIM 4 |
|||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Action Express Racing | DP | Corvette DP | Chevrolet | DAY 8 |
COT 5 |
BAR 11 |
ATL 8 |
DET 11 |
MDO 7 |
WGL 5 |
IMS 16 |
ELK 3 |
KAN 5 |
LGA 11 |
LIM 8 |
8th | 276 |
Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results[edit]
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Action Express Racing | P | Coyote Corvette DP | Chevrolet 5.5L V8 | DAY 3 |
SEB 8 |
LBH | LGA | DET | WGL 4 |
MOS | IMS | ELK | COT | PET 10 |
22nd | 106 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Brian Parker Frisselles, Born 12/28/1983 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c Strode, Dale (January 24, 2014). "Aspen race-car drivers gear up for Daytona". The Aspen Times. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Brian Frisselle (About)". Road Racing Drivers Club. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Formula BMW USA - Round 9 - Road America - Race". BMW Group Press. July 8, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "USA: Brian Frisselle Indianapolis race notes". Motorsport.com. June 23, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Braun, Travis (January 26, 2008). "Live From Daytona: Family Ties". Autoweek. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Birmingham: Frisselles Racing race report". Motorsport.com. August 12, 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "VIR: Frisselle Racing preview". Motorsport.com. April 25, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Frisselle brothers are rivals in 2008". Motorsport.com. January 14, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "AIM Autosport #61 on pole at Daytona". Autoracing1. July 3, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Seabury Hall alum Brian Frisselle wins race in Montreal". The Honolulu Advertiser. August 1, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Gill, Chris (August 8, 2008). "Frisselle nabs pole for Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen". Journal Star. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Braun, Travis (August 9, 2008). "Perfect AIM: Mark Wilkins and Brian Frisselle win again". Autoweek. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "SunTrust Racing signs Brian Frisselle". motorsport.com. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "SunTrust team wins Brumos Porsche 250". Autoracing1. July 4, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Angelelli earns 14th career victory". ESPN. August 29, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Homestead: Brian Frisselle rejoins Michael Shank Racing". Motorsport.com. March 1, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Grand-Am: Michael Shank Racing To Switch Chassis After Watkins Glen Fire". Autoweek. June 7, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Frisselle, Richard Set for Full Season With Doran Racing". Doran Racing. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "New Challenge for Brian Frisselle". Doran Racing. March 3, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Broomhead, James (January 29, 2011). "All The Sevens For No.77 And Doran Racing". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Frisselle Finishes Fifth in Harrowing Race at VIR". Doran Racing. May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Frisselle looks for a win at the Glen". Motorsport.com. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Frisselle brothers team up for Mid-Ohio finale". Motorsport.com. September 12, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Broomhead, James (January 26, 2012). "Frisselle Brothers Combine With Doran Racing For Rolex 24". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Action Express Racing features strong driver lineup for Daytona 24H". Motorsport.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Starworks Wins at Road America". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. August 10, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
Brothers Brian and Burt Frisselle took the final podium position...
- ^ "Brian Frisselle Set for 100th Rolex Series Start". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. September 24, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Dagys, John (December 20, 2013). "Giroix, Johansson to Join Frisselles in AXR Corvette DP for Daytona". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Delta-ADR partners with Action Express". Racer. January 8, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Strode, Dale (February 1, 2014). "Aspen drivers third at 24 Hours of Daytona". The Aspen Times. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Action Express looking for two championships at Petit Le Mans". Motorsport.com. September 30, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Davidson Racing Norma wins the 25 Hours of Thunderhill". Motorsport.com. December 7, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "IMSA racers turn Denver Broncos radio hosts". Motorsport.com. October 24, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Continental Tire IMSA Driver Spotlight: Brian Frisselle". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. November 26, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Fahrenheit Body Spas". Fahrenheit Body Spas. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
External links[edit]
- Brian Frisselle at Motorsport.com