Brown exits in Houston quarterfinals

May 01

Antron Brown, who handles the controls of the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster, lost in the quarterfinal round of the NHRA Spring Nationals here Sunday at Royal Purple Raceway.

The New Jersey native posted a respectable 3.966-second run at 305.42 mph in his second round match up with defending world champion, Larry Dixon, but a mechanical issue sealed his fate.

“We had a clutch disc blow out during the run and it caused us to drop a cylinder,” said Brown. “It’s disappointing because I felt we had a good car here today. We truly believed we were going to go deep into the day and challenge for the win.”

It was at the track formerly known as Houston Raceway Park where Brown claimed his first career Top Fuel victory in 2008. As a result, he was hoping for a little more magic this time around.

“Again, we felt confident coming into race day,” he offered. “Sometimes things happen in this sport you can’t control. We’ll just have to keep our heads up and move on from here.”

Moving on will mean waiting two weeks before traveling to Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. for the tradition-rich 31^st annual Southern Nationals.

“I’m sure the guys will be working real hard in preparation for that race,” related Brown. “You can be certain we’ll come out swinging down there.

“I really enjoy going to Atlanta Dragway. It’s been a good track for me over the years in both Pro Stock Motorcycles and Top Fuel.”

Brown heads into that event holding third place in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel standings, behind Del Worsham and Larry Dixon and just ahead of his Don Schumacher Racing teammates Tony Schumacher and Spencer Massey.