Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Event 13 of 20
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minn.
Aug. 16 – 18, 2024
ANTRON BROWN
Driver of the Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Highlights:
2023 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified sixth; Event champion (defeated Shawn Langdon in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Mike Salinas in E3, Leah Pruett in E4)
Last Event (Sonoma):
Qualified seventh; Event champion (defeated Shawn Reed in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Brittany Force in E3, Tony Stewart in E4)
2024 Statistics:
12 races; three national event wins, two specialty race wins
Career Statistics:
516 races; 77 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Fan Events:
Quotable:
“There’s a lot riding on this race. We’ve got our partners from FVP coming out, and also it’s the Lucas Oil Nationals so we want to make sure we show out this weekend. With all of the partner support, we’re riding high and we’re coming into the weekend off that big win in Sonoma. We’ve definitely got momentum in our corner, but the plan remains the same. We want to start off with a good qualifying effort, keep our heads down, and see if we can qualify in the top five like our normal game plan. We’re looking forward to having some fun with the fans in the Zoo, and hopefully we’ll finish out our Sunday celebrating with them in the winner’s circle. That’s our game plan, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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Event 13 of 20
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minn.
Aug. 16 – 18, 2024
ANTRON BROWN
Driver of the Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster
NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Highlights:
- Six-time event champion
- Top Fuel (2011, 2023)
- 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)
2023 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified sixth; Event champion (defeated Shawn Langdon in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Mike Salinas in E3, Leah Pruett in E4)
Last Event (Sonoma):
Qualified seventh; Event champion (defeated Shawn Reed in E1, Steve Torrence in E2, Brittany Force in E3, Tony Stewart in E4)
2024 Statistics:
12 races; three national event wins, two specialty race wins
Career Statistics:
516 races; 77 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
- Returns as the defending event champ and most recent Top Fuel winner on the NHRA Mission Foods Series tour after having scored his third national event triumph of 2024 in Sonoma, Calif. last month
- Doubled-up on victories at the 2023 Brainerd event by scoring his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge trophy on Saturday before racing to the winner’s circle on Sunday
- Has been victorious in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories in Brainerd
- Became the first driver to make a sub-3.7-second run (3.680) during the 2015 event
- AB Motorsports partner FMP and its FVP brand are headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota
- Immediately following the 2023 event, the AB Motorsports Accelerate program was announced. Angelle Sampey, the first Accelerate program athlete, earned her Top Alcohol Dragster license at Brainerd on Monday following the race weekend. Sampey is slated to compete in Brainerd this weekend aboard the Michalek Brothers Racing A/Fuel Dragster
Fan Events:
- Saturday, 9:30 – 10 a.m., Mission #2Fast2Tasty autograph session, Mission Foods midway display
Quotable:
“There’s a lot riding on this race. We’ve got our partners from FVP coming out, and also it’s the Lucas Oil Nationals so we want to make sure we show out this weekend. With all of the partner support, we’re riding high and we’re coming into the weekend off that big win in Sonoma. We’ve definitely got momentum in our corner, but the plan remains the same. We want to start off with a good qualifying effort, keep our heads down, and see if we can qualify in the top five like our normal game plan. We’re looking forward to having some fun with the fans in the Zoo, and hopefully we’ll finish out our Sunday celebrating with them in the winner’s circle. That’s our game plan, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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