NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Event 8 of 20
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn.
June 7-9, 2024
ANTRON BROWN
Driver of the Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Event Highlights:
- Two-time event runner-up (2011, 2023)
- 2010 No. 1 qualifier
2023 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 15th; Event runner-up (defeated Brittany Force in E1, Tony Schumacher in E2, Doug Kalitta in E3; defeated by Justin Ashley in E4)
Last Event (Epping):
Qualified ninth; First round exit (defeated by Tony Stewart in E1)
2024 Statistics:
Seven races; one national event win, two specialty race wins
Career Statistics:
511 races; 75 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
- Brown has won at every track on the current NHRA tour with the exception of Bristol Dragway and Virginia Motorsports Park near Richmond, and the third-year team owner is hoping to capture that elusive first Thunder Valley Nationals victory in 2024. He came close in 2023, advancing to the final round in Bristol for the first time since 2011
- Brown claimed his 800th round win during the 2023 event, becoming only the sixth driver in NHRA history to hit that milestone
Fan Events:
- Saturday, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., Team Toyota autograph session at the Toyota Racing Experience midway
- Saturday, post-Q4 Bristol Dragway Fanfest in Nitro Alley
Quotable:
“We had a phenomenal race in Bristol last year against Justin Ashley in the final round. Ran in the mid-70s throughout the day. The conditions were really good and it’s looking like we’re going to have the same conditions this year. Mid-70s with some cloud cover so, we’re really looking forward to getting there. We came so close and aside from Richmond, it’s the only track where we haven’t won, so we’re just going to go there poised, head down, and the most important thing is to qualify well. We want to qualify in the top four or top five like we always shoot for if not No. 1, and we’re just going to give it everything we’ve got. But, love going to Bristol. We’ve been to multiple final rounds and qualified No. 1. We’re doing different things and we want to go out there and be a part of history at that race track and get a win there. They have a brand-new surface and I’m excited to get there and put on a great show for the fans.”