NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Defending Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown may have a tough time topping his performance at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park from a year ago, but entering this weekend’s 47th annual NHRA Summernationals with plenty of momentum, the two-time Top Fuel world champion will give it his best effort.

A year ago, Brown claimed his first Top Fuel victory at his home track, a victory made even more significant in that it also marked his 50th career win. Since then, a world championship and six more victories have followed, including Monday’s win in Epping, making Brown a strong favorite heading to Englishtown.

Brown has been particularly hot lately in his 10,000-horsepower Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster, advancing to at least the semifinals at the past six races, moving to second in the points in the process.

“You don’t get more confident; you just have a little momentum where we’ve been going rounds,” said Brown, a two-time winner during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

“We’ve been going a lot of rounds these last four to five races where we’re starting to get into that groove. You have to have some luck go your way, and you can set yourself up for luck by the way you qualify. With that being said, you have to take it while you can get it. This sport is the most humbling sport. We keep our head down, and we give it all we've got every single weekend.”

Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners last year at the iconic summertime event that for the first time will be televised on FOX Sports 1. It is the 10th of 24 events in 2016 and the second of four straight race weekends in June.

The victory was one of Brown’s most meaningful in a memorable 2015 season that was capped with a championship, but the team has been working just as hard since then. The Epping victory gave Brown and his team, led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, a second straight final-round appearance, something he doesn’t take for granted in the star-studded Top Fuel field.

“You always want more race wins, and that’s what we are striving for,” Brown said. “The competition right now is just ridiculous. It’s at an all-time high. There are so many great teams that can come out here and set world records. 

“To defend our title, we have to push ourselves to another limit. That’s what we’ve been working on, to be better than what we were last year. We just have to take it one round at a time and give it all that we’ve got each time.”

Antron Brown celebrated his milestone 50th NHRA national event win with his family last year in Englishtown.

Brown’s victory in New Hampshire on Monday snapped points leader Doug Kalitta’s run of three straight wins. Other class standouts include Brittany Force, a two-time winner in 2016; Steve Torrence, who has a victory this season and fell to Brown in a close final round at the rain-delayed New England Nationals; J.R. Todd; Terry McMillen; and Clay Millican.

Brown also knocked off Don Schumacher Racing teammates Shawn Langdon and Tony Schumacher on Monday, but he remains impressed with the progress that the DSR Top Fuel teams, which will include a fourth car driven by Leah Pritchett in Englishtown, continue to make.

“The car responded well and did what we wanted it to,” Brown said of his performance in Epping. “We’re still having a little trouble on the last 300 feet of the track. We just want to get that better. We went one direction and made it worse [Monday], so I know Brian and Mark are going the other direction, and it’s only a matter of time before we get that. Once you see that car running 324 to 328 [mph] like the other dragsters, then we’ll be hitting on all eight [cylinders] going down the racetrack. That’s what we’re pushing and working hard towards.”

It could lead to a second straight Englishtown victory for Brown, who would gladly take that celebration in front of what will be a huge gathering of family and friends. But Brown knows he must continue to be on top of his game in all areas, including on the starting line.

“We’re still learning some different things on the car, and we’re growing on it,” said Brown, who picked up his first No. 1 qualifier of the season in Epping. “The car is just showing great signs of being a phenomenal race car. All of our guys are putting in the work, and we’re reaping the benefits.

“If you leave last now, the way Top Fuel is running, you’re not going to win. Look how close these final rounds have been. If Steve would have left first on me, he would have been taking home the trophy. You have to be on your P’s and Q’s, and that puts everybody on edge.”

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. Friday, June 10, and the final two rounds of qualifying Saturday, June 11, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, June 12.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 732-446-7800, or log on to www.racewaypark.com. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.