NHRA Brainerd Pre-Race Report

by | Aug 16, 2023 | News

Lucas Oil NHRA NationalsEvent 14 of 21Brainerd International RacewayBrainerd, Minn.Aug. 18 – 20, 2023

NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Highlights:

  • Five-time event champion
    • Top Fuel (2011)
    • Pro Stock Motorcycle (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006)
  • Four-time runner-up (2012, 2016-2018)
  • Four-time No. 1 qualifier
    • Top Fuel (2014, 2016)
    • Pro Stock Motorcycle (2001, 2004)

2022 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:Qualified fifth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Clay Millican in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2) Last Event (Topeka):Qualified 11th; Semifinal finish (defeated Mike Salinas in E1, Austin Prock in E2; defeated by Justin Ashley in E3) 2023 Statistics:13 races; one win, two runner-up finishes, one No. 1 qualifier Career Statistics:496 races; 72 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers Noteworthy:

  • Brown enters the event ranked fourth following a semifinal appearance in Topeka, Kan. and a runner-up finish in Sonoma, Calif., the two most recent events on tour
  • By advancing to the semifinals in Topeka, Brown secured a spot in Brainerd’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, slated for Saturday
  • Brown has been victorious in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories in Brainerd
  • FMP and its FVP brand, a major partner of AB Motorsports, is based in Eagan, Minn.

Fan Events:

  • Saturday, Aug. 19, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., #2Fast2Tasty driver autograph session at Mission Foods midway display

Quotable:“Brainerd has always been a really good race for us. I remember setting what was the national record at the time there – 3.680 and beating J.R. Todd in the first round of eliminations (2015, E1). I’m going to keep my head down, just like my team, and we’re going to focus. We’ve always done well at Brainerd and it’s a Lucas Oil track, one of our major sponsors, so we’re looking to go out there and give it all we’ve got. We have FVP and Factory Motor Parts coming out in full force and we’re looking forward to doing what we do, like Ray Charles, and having some fun. We want to qualify well, compete at a high level and see if we can make it to that final round and make it happen.”