NHRA Northwest Nationals Pre-Race Report
Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals
Event 11 of 21
Pacific Raceways
Kent, Wash.
July 21-23, 2023
ANTRON BROWN: Driver of the Matco Tools 'Test Drive' Top Fuel Dragster
NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Highlights:
Four-time event champion (2009, 2016 - 2018)
Two-time runner-up (2010, 2014)
Two-time No. 1 qualifier (2011, 2017)
2022 NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fifth; First round exit (defeated by Leah Pruett in E1)
Last Event (Denver):
Qualified No. 3; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Buddy Hull in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2)
2023 Statistics:
10 races; one win, one runner-up, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
493 races; 72 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Highlights:
Four-time event champion (2009, 2016 - 2018)
Two-time runner-up (2010, 2014)
Two-time No. 1 qualifier (2011, 2017)
2022 NHRA Northwest Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified fifth; First round exit (defeated by Leah Pruett in E1)
Last Event (Denver):
Qualified No. 3; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Buddy Hull in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2)
2023 Statistics:
10 races; one win, one runner-up, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
493 races; 72 wins, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
Brown has visited the NHRA Northwest Nationals winner’s circle at three out of the last five NHRA Camping World Series events contested at Pacific Raceways
Brown holds the track E.T. record (3.685 seconds), which he set at the 2016 event
As a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, Brown is vying to win Toyota’s 200th NHRA trophy (current Toyota NHRA win count: 199)
Recently debuted the new Matco Tools ‘Test Drive’ livery which he will campaign until the team switches to its annual pink Breast Cancer Awareness wrap in October
Matco’s Test Drive program allows prospective Matco franchise owners to take a six-month ‘test drive’ with minimal risk to see if franchise ownership is for them
Fan Events:
Saturday, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Team Toyota autograph session – Toyota midway display
Quotable:
“We’re so looking forward to getting to Seattle and Pacific Raceways. We’ve always ran well there with a few race wins and even though we’re back to sea level, it’s another challenging race that brings out the best in you. It can be cool or hot like it was last summer, and that track surface keeps you on your A-game. We’re gonna get after it. We tested well at Indy before The Swing and we’re looking forward to getting back to sea level and applying what we learned a few weeks ago. We have great Matco and FVP support in the Pacific Northwest. We’re coming in hungry, and it’s not for king salmon.”
About AB Motorsports
Established in 2019, AB Motorsports is a single-car NHRA Top Fuel team owned and operated by three-time world champion Antron Brown. The team competes on the 21-race NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit thanks to the support of Matco Tools, Lucas Oil, Toyota, SiriusXM, Factory Motor Parts and its FVP brand, Hangsterfer’s Metal Working Lubricants, and Summit Racing Equipment.Headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., AB Motorsports made its on-track debut in 2022, racing to three wins in four final rounds to finish second in the standings in its rookie season.
Brown, who serves as both the driver and owner of the AB Motorsports Top Fuel dragster, is the only competitor in NHRA history to have won races in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories. Brown is a 72-time NHRA national event winner and became the first Black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship when he captured the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel series title.
For more information, visit www.antronbrown.com or @antronbrown on Twitter, and @antronbrowntf on Instagram and Facebook.
