BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 6, 2016) – Antron Brown scored his third win of 2016 over the weekend, but it wasn’t as a driver and it wasn’t in his 10,000-horsepower Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster.
It was as a team owner, crew chief and most importantly, a proud father.
Brown’s youngest son, Adler, scored the win in the 11.90 category at National Trails Raceway near Columbus, Ohio in the Midwest Jr. Super Series, over the weekend where Brown’s other two children, Arianna and Anson, along with Kylie Mason, daughter of Brown’s assistant crew chief Brad Mason also competed.
“We had so much fun,” Brown said. “We had a great weekend. Everyone went rounds. Anson, Arianna, they went rounds. Kylie was runner-up and Adler got the win. I was so proud of all of them. It was just a great weekend. It was good quality family time and it’s great to hang out not only with my kids, but all of the kids and parents who compete. It’s the future of our sport and it’s neat to see them grow and learn. That’s what it’s all about.”
Brown will return to his duties as the two-time and reigning Top Fuel world championship driver at this weekend’s Route 66 NHRA Nationals near Chicago where he has a total of four event titles; two in Top Fuel and two in the Pro Stock Motorcycle categories.
The Matco Tools/U.S. Army team led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald have two event titles in four final round appearances in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series through 12 of 24 events this season and are ranked second to Doug Kalitta in the Mello Yello Top Fuel standings.
“We’re ready to go,” Brown said after the Mello Yello tour took a weekend off after four races in four weeks. “I’m excited to go to Chicago. It’s always been an important race for us being that it’s Don Schumacher’s hometown track. I always like the atmosphere there with their stadium seating. It reminds me of a gladiator pit and we’re ready to do battle for sure.
“Chicago is definitely challenging. But this Matco Tools/U.S. Army/Toyota team has shown that we can adapt to anything this season. We’ve run well on the cooler tracks and we’re still working to perfect our hot weather tune-up, but we’re close on getting it to be consistent and that’s what we’re looking for.”
ANTRON BROWN: Matco Tools/U.S. Army
Last event Norwalk, Ohio, June 24-26: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Larry Dixon
Career at Chicago: Wins 4 (2014, 2012, 2001*, 2000*); Runner-ups: 2 (2009, 2002*); Poles 2 (2009, 2015) *Pro Stock Motorcycle
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 2nd 12 2 2 3 4 2 1 0 23-10
CAREER 346 56 45 72 91 80 45 3 591-287
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
Through Norwalk; 12 of 24 events, wins in parenthesis; DSR DRIVERS IN CAPS
- Doug Kalitta (3) 1009 —–
- ANTRON BROWN (2) 940 -69
- Steve Torrence (2) 846 -163
- Brittany Force (2) 832 -177
- TONY SCHUMACHER 729 -280
- SHAWN LANGDON (2) 711 -298
- JR Todd 645 -364
- Clay Millican 572 -437
- Richie Crampton 570 -439
- LEAH PRITCHETT (1) 463 -546