Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Event 9 of 24 (Chicago)
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
May 31 – June 2, 2019
Chicago Elimination Highlights:
- Antron Brown recorded semifinal finish
Qualified: No. 2 (3.715 E.T. at 328.14 MPH)
The Results:
E1: 3.736 E.T. at 327.11 MPH defeated Brittany Force 5.776 E.T. at 112.30 MPH
E2: 3.789 E.T. at 322.96 MPH defeated Jordan Vandergriff 3.805 E.T. at 318.54 MPH
E3: 6.050 E.T. at 89.27 MPH defeated by Steve Torrence 3.804 E.T. at 322.42 MPH
Race Recap:
Following a runner-up finish at the previous event in Richmond, Va., Antron Brown was looking to go one step further on Sunday at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals and pick up his first event win of the 2019 season.
His race day campaign started with a round-one meeting with No. 15 qualifier Brittany Force. Against the former world champion, Brown was machine-like, cutting a quick 0.057 reaction time to earn the holeshot advantage. His winning 3.736 E.T. awarded him with lane choice against rookie Jordan Vandergriff in round two. Once again, Brown was first on the throttle and first to cross the finish line. In the semifinals, he faced friend and reigning Top Fuel champion and current point leader Steve Torrence. Brown had a small starting line advantage but his engine gave way to a huge fireball shortly after launch and Torrence was able to drive away with the round win, ending the three-time world champion’s day at the semifinals.
Quotable:
“All in all, it was a good weekend. We qualified second, ran low E.T. of round one, second low of round two. The good part is, we’re getting to the place where we want to be. The car is performing well, and we’re getting back into our game. A win is right around the corner, we’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing. I feel really good about our guys, and where our whole team is at right now. We’re improving, and each week we’re getting one step closer to where we want to be. I feel like we’re going to go on that championship run this year and I just feel very blessed and fortunate to be with the group of guys I’m with.”