News 9's Hank Brown Finds Passion In Tracking Storms & Chasing Checkered Flags

Hank Brown and Patty Brown are valued News 9 storm tracking team members.

Hank drives into storms to keep us informed and safe. But driving into a tornado is a little different than what he drives into every Friday night.

“We’ve actually been in a few tornadoes, sometimes that’s kind of the risk that you take if you’re trying to get close to give accurate information,” said News 9 storm tracker Hank Brown.

He’s been tracking Oklahoma storms for 25 years. “Definitely heart races up, you start thinking fast, and you start driving fast,” said Brown.

Driving fast seems to be a thing for Hank.

It all started while working with the pit crew for a good friend and racecar driver.

“One night we were at a racetrack, and he said, hey, put on this fire suit, they’re having a mechanics race after the race, jump in,” said Hank.

After that race, Hank was hooked. “Two weeks later there was a racecar sitting in the driveway,” said Hank.

“I was the one that encouraged him to buy a race car,” said Patty Brown, Hank’s wife.

His wife and storm tracking partner Patty grew up around racecars and is with him for every race.

“Even for our first anniversary when we were dating, I bought Hank Edelbrock carburetor for a car he was building,” said Patty Brown.

He starts every race with prayer. “Prayer for safety for the track workers, for all the race car drivers, and if it’s your will, I’d like to win this race,” said Hank.

These racers compete hard, however, at the end of the day, they are a community.

“If I needed something he would give it to me, If I broke, one of these would be over here trying to help me,” said Hank.

Out of tracking and racing, which one gets his blood pumping the most?

“Definitely racing is a much bigger adrenaline rush and a bigger challenge than storm chasing is,” said Hank.