Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals
Presented by PEAK Performance
Event 6 of 20
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
May 17 – 19
ANTRON BROWN
Driver of the Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
- Five-time winner
- Top Fuel (2012, 2014, 2016)
- Pro Stock Motorcycle (2000, 2001)
- Three-time runner-up
- Top Fuel (2009, 2017)
- Pro Stock Motorcycle (2002)
- Two-time No. 1 qualifier (2009, 2015)
2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fifth; First round exit (defeated by Josh Hart in E1)
Last Event (Charlotte 1):
Qualified second; Semifinal finish (defeated Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon in E1, Brittany Force, Tony Stewart in E2; defeated by Justin Ashley, Clay Millican in E3)
2024 Statistics:
Five races; two specialty race wins (Pep Boys All-Star Callout, Las Vegas 1 Mission Foods Challenge)
Career Statistics:
509 races; 74 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
- With five overall Chicago triumphs, Brown is tied with Tony Schumacher and Jeg Coughlin Jr. for winningest Mission Foods Series driver in the history of the facility
- Will compete in the Joliet running of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel challenge after advancing to the final quad at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals two weeks prior
- Brown enters the Route 66 Nationals with 74 national event victories as he seeks to clinch a milestone 75th win
Fan Events:
- Friday, 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Don Schumacher tribute autograph session in the Schumacher Family Tent
- Saturday, 9:30 – 10 a.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display
- Saturday, 10 – 10:30 a.m., Team Toyota autograph session at the Toyota Racing Experience midway display
Quotable:
“I love going back to Joliet, I have a lot of history there, but this weekend will be especially meaningful because we’re going to pay tribute and honor Don Schumacher, who was more than just a boss and a friend, he was like family to me. He really paved the way for a lot of us to do what we do. I feel incredibly blessed that I got to win three championships with Don. From the fishing trips to him just preparing many of us for the race careers we have now, we owe a lot to Don. If one of us former DSR drivers could put our car in the winner’s circle this weekend, that would be very special. He was a true NHRA champion, and I’m looking forward to honoring him this weekend at his home track.”