BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 24, 2014) – Antron Brown loves the way his Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster is performing as the Don Schumacher Racing team heads to Joliet, Ill., for this weekend’s NHRA Route 66 Nationals that marks the midway point of the 24-race Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
“That was only the second event on this new Matco Tools dragster and we had a pretty good day even if we lost to our teammate,” said Antron, who started Sunday’s New England Nationals with his second No. 1 qualifying position in 11 events before losing to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team.
At Epping, N.H., Schumacher’s reaction time at the startling line was an amazing 0.006 seconds (0.000 is perfect) to Antron’s 0.107 that was off pace with his routine times that makes him one of the quickest leavers in the sport; he is the first off the starting line 69 percent of the time.
But the loss to Schumacher also was against the day’s best elapsed time of 3.787 seconds at 324.28 mph to Antron’s 3.794 (320.66) that was the third quickest of the day.
“Our Matco boys put out a great run but you’re not going to beat a .006 reaction time, and our U.S. Army team is running strong now,” Antron said.
Antron’s Sundays have ended before his four championship rounds at four of seven events by DSR teammates including Sunday at Epping.
“There are a lot of great teams out here but no doubt facing our two teammates is the toughest challenge,” said Antron, who has won three of his 44 NHRA titles this season and ranks second in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings.
Antron the DSR teams will make the short 3-hour drive to Joliet where he has won three Route 66 titles in five championship rounds including the Top Fuel title in 2012 when his Matco team led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald won the season championship.
The following are Antron’s Route 66 Nationals, season and career statistics, and NHRA standings:
Antron Brown, Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster
Last event Epping, N.H. (June 22): Qualified No. 1; lost in second round to Tony Schumacher
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 11; lost semifinals to Tony Schumacher
Career at Chicago: Wins 3 (2012, 2001*, 2000*); Runner-ups 2 (2009, 2002*); Poles 1 (2012)
Pts Events Titles Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ Win/Loss
2014 2nd 11 3 1 3 1 3 1 0 21-8
CAREER 301 44 39 62 83 67 35 3 497-250
Best Time, Speed: 3.701*/** sec. (10- 8-12, Reading, Pa.); 328.78 mph (10-8-12, Reading)
* Quickest ever/** NHRA record
NHRA MELLO YELLO STANDINGS
(Official after 11 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)
TOP FUEL
driver (wins) points behind
1. Doug Kalitta (1) 1,001 —-
2. ANTRON BROWN (3) 844 -157
3. Shawn Langdon 783 -218
4. SPENCER MASSEY (2) 709 -292
5. TONY SCHUMACHER (2) 670 -331
6. Steve Torrence 651 -350
7. Khalid alBalooshi (1) 587 -414
9. Richie Crampton (1) 546 -455
8. Brittany Force 540 -461
10. J.R. Todd 485 -516