NHRA Great Lakes Nationals
Sept. 18-20
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
Martin, Mich.
CAREER STATS:
559 races
82 wins
51 No. 1 qualifier
TAKE NOTE:
• Martin marks the start of the 2026 NHRA Countdown to the Championship
• Brown enters the inaugural event No. 5 in the Mission Foods standings as he makes a bid for his fifth Top Fuel championship and second as a team owner
• In its first three years, AB Motorsports has finished the Countdown ranked second (2022), sixth (2023), first (2024) and ninth (2025)
• Brown is an 18-time Countdown event winner, the most of any Top Fuel driver
• Has prior experience racing at the “Fastest Track in Michigan” in big money bracket races
Last Event (NHRA U.S. Nationals):
Qualified tenth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Ida Zetterström in E1; defeated by Tony Stewart in E2)
FAN EVENTS:
Friday, September 18h
◦ 2:15 p.m. – Autograph signing at Matco Tools Eagle Experience Truck in Midway
Saturday, September 19th
• 10:45 a.m. – Autograph signing at Matco Tools Eagle Experience Truck in Midway
*subject to change
WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, September 18th
• 1 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 1
• 3:30 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 2
Saturday, September 19th
• 12 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 3
• 2:30 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 4
Sunday, September 20th
• 10:30 a.m. – Round 1 Eliminations
• 1:15 p.m. – Round 2 Eliminations
• 2:50 p.m. – Semifinals
• 4:15 p.m. – Finals
TV Coverage on FS1
Sunday, September 20th
• 12 p.m. – Qualifying Show
• 2 p.m. – Finals Show
*all times in EST
FROM ANTRON BROWN:
Driver of the Matco Tools Eagle Experience Top Fuel Dragster
“We’re going to Martin, Michigan this weekend because we’re going after the first race of the Countdown. I’m revved up, I’m geared up. I tell you what, I’m going to be precise. I’m going to be mean and lean, and I’m going to turn precision on because we’re going to turn them win lights on because right now, this is when the going gets tough. If you want to get that championship, it starts in Martin, Michigan; here we come.”
Watch Antron Brown’s full pre-race report here.
TAKE NOTE:
• Sampey enters the event first in the Central Region Standings and ninth in the National Standings
• This will be her first time racing at US 131 Motorsports Park.
• She remains focused on winning a Diamond Wally, with what she described as five chances left.
Last Event (NHRA U.S. Nationals):
Qualified 14th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Shawn Cowie in E1; defeated by Richie Crampton)
WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, September 18th
• 10:15 a.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 1
• 4:30 p.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 2
Saturday, September 19th
• 9:45 a.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 3
• 4:20 p.m. – Round 1 Eliminations
Sunday, September 20th
• 12:15 p.m. – Round 2 Eliminations
• 2:10 p.m. – Semifinals
• 3:30 p.m. – Finals
*all times in EST
FROM ANGELLE SAMPEY:
Driver of the Hangsterfer’s FVP Mission Foods A/Fuel Dragster
“We’re coming off the U.S. Nationals. We had a pretty good weekend, just not the kind of luck I wish we would have had. My team, Michalek Brothers Racing, has been doing a great job running my Hangsterfer’s FVP car, but we need luck on our side for that big mission I’m on to get that Diamond Wally.”
“I’ve been to US 131 Motorsports Park to watch races, but I haven’t been down the racetrack myself. I’m looking forward to getting on the track. I’ll probably walk it or ride my pit bike down there to check out the shutdown area and the turnoffs.”
“We’re going to continue with the Mission Foods seat upgrade. As a Mission Foods brand ambassador, I get to bring fans down to the starting line. Listen for my announcement, then head to the Mission booth to sign up for a chance to watch a round of Top Fuel and Funny Car from the starting line.”
“I think I’ve got five more chances to get that Diamond Wally, and hopefully we can get it done this weekend. But regardless of what happens, I’ve decided my number one goal from here on out is to just have a blast. We’re going to have a lot of fun and keep our fingers crossed that the rain stays away.”
Watch Angelle’s Sampey’s full pre-race report here.
Continue reading...
Sept. 18-20
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
Martin, Mich.
CAREER STATS:
559 races
82 wins
51 No. 1 qualifier
TAKE NOTE:
• Martin marks the start of the 2026 NHRA Countdown to the Championship
• Brown enters the inaugural event No. 5 in the Mission Foods standings as he makes a bid for his fifth Top Fuel championship and second as a team owner
• In its first three years, AB Motorsports has finished the Countdown ranked second (2022), sixth (2023), first (2024) and ninth (2025)
• Brown is an 18-time Countdown event winner, the most of any Top Fuel driver
• Has prior experience racing at the “Fastest Track in Michigan” in big money bracket races
Last Event (NHRA U.S. Nationals):
Qualified tenth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Ida Zetterström in E1; defeated by Tony Stewart in E2)
FAN EVENTS:
Friday, September 18h
◦ 2:15 p.m. – Autograph signing at Matco Tools Eagle Experience Truck in Midway
Saturday, September 19th
• 10:45 a.m. – Autograph signing at Matco Tools Eagle Experience Truck in Midway
*subject to change
WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, September 18th
• 1 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 1
• 3:30 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 2
Saturday, September 19th
• 12 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 3
• 2:30 p.m. – Top Fuel Qualifying Session 4
Sunday, September 20th
• 10:30 a.m. – Round 1 Eliminations
• 1:15 p.m. – Round 2 Eliminations
• 2:50 p.m. – Semifinals
• 4:15 p.m. – Finals
TV Coverage on FS1
Sunday, September 20th
• 12 p.m. – Qualifying Show
• 2 p.m. – Finals Show
*all times in EST
FROM ANTRON BROWN:
Driver of the Matco Tools Eagle Experience Top Fuel Dragster
“We’re going to Martin, Michigan this weekend because we’re going after the first race of the Countdown. I’m revved up, I’m geared up. I tell you what, I’m going to be precise. I’m going to be mean and lean, and I’m going to turn precision on because we’re going to turn them win lights on because right now, this is when the going gets tough. If you want to get that championship, it starts in Martin, Michigan; here we come.”
Watch Antron Brown’s full pre-race report here.
TAKE NOTE:
• Sampey enters the event first in the Central Region Standings and ninth in the National Standings
• This will be her first time racing at US 131 Motorsports Park.
• She remains focused on winning a Diamond Wally, with what she described as five chances left.
Last Event (NHRA U.S. Nationals):
Qualified 14th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Shawn Cowie in E1; defeated by Richie Crampton)
WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, September 18th
• 10:15 a.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 1
• 4:30 p.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 2
Saturday, September 19th
• 9:45 a.m. – Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 3
• 4:20 p.m. – Round 1 Eliminations
Sunday, September 20th
• 12:15 p.m. – Round 2 Eliminations
• 2:10 p.m. – Semifinals
• 3:30 p.m. – Finals
*all times in EST
FROM ANGELLE SAMPEY:
Driver of the Hangsterfer’s FVP Mission Foods A/Fuel Dragster
“We’re coming off the U.S. Nationals. We had a pretty good weekend, just not the kind of luck I wish we would have had. My team, Michalek Brothers Racing, has been doing a great job running my Hangsterfer’s FVP car, but we need luck on our side for that big mission I’m on to get that Diamond Wally.”
“I’ve been to US 131 Motorsports Park to watch races, but I haven’t been down the racetrack myself. I’m looking forward to getting on the track. I’ll probably walk it or ride my pit bike down there to check out the shutdown area and the turnoffs.”
“We’re going to continue with the Mission Foods seat upgrade. As a Mission Foods brand ambassador, I get to bring fans down to the starting line. Listen for my announcement, then head to the Mission booth to sign up for a chance to watch a round of Top Fuel and Funny Car from the starting line.”
“I think I’ve got five more chances to get that Diamond Wally, and hopefully we can get it done this weekend. But regardless of what happens, I’ve decided my number one goal from here on out is to just have a blast. We’re going to have a lot of fun and keep our fingers crossed that the rain stays away.”
Watch Angelle’s Sampey’s full pre-race report here.
Continue reading...
