BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 13, 2017) – The battle at the top of the NHRA Top Fuel points standings has been raging for most of the 2017 Mello Yello season, but things are heating up even more as the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoff kicks off this weekend.
Three-time and reigning Top Fuel champion Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team enter this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte second in Top Fuel standings, 20 points behind leader Steve Torrence.
When it comes to the Countdown, Brown knows what to expect.
“I think pressure, no do-overs. Intensity. No mulligans. You have one shot to shine and you have to give it everything you’ve got and leave nothing on the racetrack. That’s the Countdown. For six races you’ve got to give it everything you’ve got each lap.”
The Matco Tools team led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald with assistant Brad Mason have won four titles in 10 final rounds through 18 Mello Yello events this season.
“We’re happy with how we’ve done this season. We wish we could’ve turned on some more win lights in final rounds but we’ve got six more chances and we’re going to put our heads down and go to work. You have to take the Countdown one lap at a time because every run is important, every run counts.”
zMAX Dragway has been the site of five of Brown’s 49 Top Fuel event titles.
“zMAX has been good for us in the past, for sure. It’s the place to race. One of the nicest events on the tour and we’re excited to get back there and get this Countdown started.”
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army – 2012, 2015, 2016 world champion
Last event: Sept. 1-4, Indy: Qualified No. 6, lost in second round to Steve Torrence
2016 Fall zMAX: Qualified No. 7, won in championship round over Doug Kalitta
2017 Four-Wide: Qualified No. 3, lost in second quad
2016 at Fall zMAX: Wins 2 (2015, 2014); Runner-ups 2 (2008, 2016); Poles 0
Career at zMAX: Wins 5 (track record; 2016, 2015/2015, 2014, 2011); Runner-ups 2 (2008, 2016); Poles 0
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2017 2nd 18 4 6 2 6 0 2 0 44-14
CAREER 376 65* 53 76 99 80 49 3 667-308
* 49 TF/16 PSB
Career best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
(Reset for six-race playoff; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
TOP FUEL
- Steve Torrence (7) 2,100 —-
- ANTRON BROWN (4) 2,080 -20
- LEAH PRITCHETT (4) 2,070 -30
- TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 2,060 -40
- Doug Kalitta 2,050 -50
- Brittany Force (1) 2,040 -60
- Clay Millican (1) 2,030 -70
- Terry McMillen 2,020 -80
- Scott Palmer 2,010 -90
- Shawn Langdon 2,000 -100