BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 8, 2016) – Anytime Antron Brown goes home it’s special.
Home for Brown will always be Chesterfield, N.J., although he resides outside Indianapolis in Pittsboro, Ind., with his wife, Billie Jo, and their three children.
At last year’s NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., Brown and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel team scored one of his most special victories by winning his 50th career event title where he grew up watching his father, Albert, and uncle, Andre, compete.
“I was pushed around that racetrack in a stroller,” Brown said of the historic NHRA facility. “That’s how long I’ve been going there. I tell you what, that’s all I ever knew. I embraced it because it was fun, it was exciting. The thing about being part of the team, working with my dad and uncle, they turned around and did the same thing for me. That’s what this sport is about. It’s about people who come out here and work hard looking for that edge. They’re not scared to put that work in.
“It’s always nice to go back home where you were born and raised. To go back to Englishtown, where the NHRA racing roots where instilled in me, it’s just special. It’s always good to go back and see all of your friends, all the people that remember me as a kid when I always walking around with holes in my jeans at the knees, being all greasy from head to toe. That’s what I used to do with my dad and uncle. I learned so much growing up as a kid, at that racetrack. It’s incredible just to go back and remember all of those good times I had growing up.”
Brown has three career event titles from Englishtown, but only one in the Top Fuel, the category in which he is the two-time and reigning world champion.
“Not just to win there, but to get my 50th career win at my hometown, there’s something to be said for that. Especially it being my first Top Fuel win there. To be able to get that win with my incredible team in front of my family, friends and my hometown, that was just really, really special. I will remember that race win forever.”
Another special time will be added to Brown’s memory bank on Wednesday when Mayor Jeremy Liedtka of Chesterfield, N.J., will bestow a special honor upon native son Brown at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., where Brown will begin racing two days later in the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals.
Joining Liedtka and Brown for the announcement at the starting line of the fabled racing facility during the Summernationals pre-race press conference will be members of the Brown family along with Chesterfield officials to unveil how the community will immortalize the two-time and reigning NHRA Top Fuel world champion.
“We have something planned for Antron to show our appreciation for all the positive notoriety he has brought to Chesterfield from the time he was a standout scholar athlete in high school and junior college, and as a two-time Top Fuel drag racing world champion,” said Mayor Liedtka.
“The Brown family has been an asset to our community for four generations and more than 60 years. Everyone here is very proud of what Antron and his family have accomplished.”
The Matco Tools team heads to Englishtown on a winning streak after scoring the event title during Monday’s rain-delayed New England Nationals in Epping, N.H. It was the second event title of the season for Brown and company, who sit second in Top Fuel points standings, just 46 points behind leader Doug Kalitta.
ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools/U.S. Army *2015 WORLD CHAMPION – defending Englishtown winner
Last event (June 6), Epping, N.H.: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over Steve Torrence
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over Brittany Force
Career at Englishtown: Wins 3 (2002*, 2005*, 2015); Runner-ups 2 (2009, 2010); Poles 3 (2001*, 2005*, 2008, 2015) * Pro Stock Motorcycle
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 2nd 9 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 19-7
CAREER 343 56 45 71 89 80 45 3 587-284
Best Time, Speed: 3.680 sec., (first below 3.7, 2015, Brainerd); 331.12 mph (2015, Brainerd)
NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS
(Official through Epping, N.H., after 9 of 24 events, wins in parenthesis; DSR DRIVERS IN CAPS)
- Doug Kalitta (3) 785 —-
- ANTRON BROWN (2) 739 -46
- Steve Torrence (1) 658 -127
- Brittany Force (2) 623 -162
- TONY SCHUMACHER 483 -302
- Clay Millican 475 -310
- JR Todd 473 -312
- Richie Crampton 450 -335
- SHAWN LANGDON 399 -386
- LEAH PRITCHETT (1) 360 -425