Qualified: No. 8 (3.765 E.T. at 323.50 MPH)

The Results:
E1: 3.762 E.T. at 324.51 MPH defeated by Doug Kalitta 3.713 E.T. at 328.38 MPH

Race Recap:
The opening round of race day at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals featured a monster matchup between two Top Fuel titans, Antron Brown and Doug Kalitta. Behind the wheel of the pinked-out Matco Tools/Global Electronic Technology/Toyota Top Fuel dragster, Brown was first to stand on the throttle but Kalitta quickly nabbed the lead. Brown, a three-time Texas Motorplex champion, made a clean 3.762-second pass but it wasn’t enough to outrun his opponent, ending Brown’s day early.

Quotable:
“We made two consistent runs, but certainly not the runs we were looking to make. We had a gremlin pop up and bite us. We have to keep our heads down and get ready for Houston. It was a clean weekend. We didn’t hurt even one part on the car. We just have to keep digging and keep building. We’re very close. I’m very proud of the boys. I know it’s been frustrating for all of us. We have to keep putting that work in. We’re looking forward to it. Houston was the scene of our first win in Top Fuel way back in ’08 with David Powers and we’re eager to get back on the track for Matco (Tools) and Global (Electronic Technology) and Toyota and Hangsterfer’s and all of the people who have been loyal and supportive of us.”