Will Brown Opens Up on Grueling NASCAR Return at Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Australian Supercars star Will Brown pulled no punches in describing his return to NASCAR competition, offering a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at what he called a “hellish” experience in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway.
Brown, who has been balancing a championship campaign in the Repco Supercars Championship with opportunities in the United States, made his latest NASCAR start hoping to gain more seat time on American road courses. Instead, the day turned into a grind marked by adversity, mechanical woes, and the brutal physical toll of racing in the summer heat.
“It was one of the toughest days I’ve had in a race car,” Brown admitted afterward. “Nothing went the way we wanted. The car wasn’t comfortable, I was fighting it the whole time, and then you’re just hanging on trying to make it to the finish.”
Despite the frustrations, Brown’s candid debrief highlighted the stark differences between his familiar Supercars machinery and the heavier, less-forgiving Xfinity cars. Navigating traffic, managing tires, and coping with long green-flag runs on the technical Portland circuit tested both his patience and endurance.
Still, Brown’s willingness to share the reality of the experience struck a chord with fans. Rather than framing the weekend as a failure, he emphasized how the struggle underscored the steep learning curve of competing part-time in NASCAR while building a career overseas.
“These are the days you learn the most from,” Brown said. “It wasn’t pretty, but it’s part of the journey. I want to keep getting better, and that means taking the tough days with the good ones.”
While the finish didn’t reflect his ambitions, Brown’s return to the Xfinity Series reinforced his determination to continue chasing NASCAR opportunities when his Supercars schedule allows. With his trademark resilience, the Australian remains focused on growth — no matter how grueling the path may be.
Do you want me to shape this more as a driver profile piece (focusing on Brown’s cross-continental career) or as a race recap (detailing more about what happened in Portland)?
