Brown hopes to continue impressive streak of final round appearances with Matco Tools team this weekend near Houston
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (April 26, 2016) – If history repeats itself Antron Brown is just fine with that, especially when it comes to this weekend’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston.
The two-time reigning world champion Matco Tools team has been to the past two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series final rounds picking up the event title at Las Vegas and finishing runner-up Sunday near Charlotte.
Houston has been kind to Brown. The Matco Tools team, led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, has reached the final round four times (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014) since Brown began his Top Fuel career in 2008. They have two event titles in those four final round appearances. The next final round appearance will be the 100th of Brown’s career.
“We will try to keep that streak alive of going to the final in even numbered years,” Brown said. “We’re going to go there with our heads down and do what we always do and that’s take it one step at the time. We’re just going to try to be efficient, keep doing what we’re doing and be there at the end of race day.”
An added benefit of racing near Houston is the family and friends of the Brown family, whose wife Billie Jo is from Louisiana and crew chief Mark Oswald lives near New Orleans in Houma, La.
“That’s kind of like a second home for me,” Brown said. “Mark Oswald, all of his friends and everyone from Louisiana comes out. All of my in-laws come out and we always have a great time there. Always have a little bit of home cooking, a little bit of jambalaya, crawfish. It’s always a lot of fun going to Houston and seeing all of the family and friends.”
It is the first time in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series that teams will race in back-to-back weekends.
“We’re getting in the swing of things and going to back-to-back events will only make that better. We’re in a good position right now. We’re getting stronger each and every weekend and that’s our goal.”
The Matco Tools teams enters this weekend second in Top Fuel points standings, less than four rounds of racing behind leader Brittany Force.
Before racing begins this weekend, fans are invited to join DSR and Pennzoil for NHRA day at Hermann Square Park at City Hall for a celebration of the partnership that began a year ago. The special event begins at 11 a.m. and will feature all seven DSR drivers along with several race cars on display.
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Last event (April 1-3, Las Vegas): Runner-up at Four-Wide Nationals
A year ago at Houston: Qualified No. 10; lost in second round to Tony Schumacher
Career at Houston: Wins 2 (2014, 2008); Runner-ups 3 (2012, 2010, 2004*); Poles 2 (2009, 2001*) *Pro Stock Motorcycle
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 2nd 5 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 8-4
CAREER 338 55 44 69 89 79 44 3 576-281
Best Time, Speed: 3.680 sec.-national record, first 3.6 (2015, Brainerd); 331.12 mph (2015, Brainerd)
2016 NHRA MELLO YELLO STANDINGS
(Official after Four-Wide at Charlotte; five of 24 events; wins in parenthesis, DSR drivers in CAPS)
TOP FUEL
1 Brittany Force (2) 428 —-
2 ANTRON BROWN (1) 365 -63
3 Doug Kalitta 344 -84
5 Clay Millican 318 -110
4 Steve Torrence (1) 310 -118
6 JR Todd 289 -139
7 TONY SCHUMACHER 242 -186
7 Terry McMillen 242 -186
9 Richie Crampton 240 -188
9 Leah Pritchett (1) 220 -208
12 SHAWN LANGDON 163