Antron Brown, driver of the Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, is set to return to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for the 70th running of the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals from August 30 to September 2, 2024. As a five-time U.S. Nationals champion, Brown looks to make history by securing his third consecutive victory at drag racing’s most prestigious event and his sixth overall.
Brown enters the event with a storied history at the U.S. Nationals, having captured Top Fuel titles in 2011, 2022, and 2023, and Pro Stock Motorcycle titles in 2000 and 2004. His performance at the 2023 U.S. Nationals was nothing short of spectacular, where he qualified 15th and triumphed over a star-studded lineup, defeating Brittany Force, Clay Millican, Justin Ashley, and Steve Torrence to claim the event championship.
This year, Brown returns to Indianapolis ranked fifth in the NHRA standings, with a mission to climb the leaderboard as Countdown positions are finalized. With the event’s points-and-a-half format, Brown is within striking distance of fourth place, sitting just 14 points behind and 82 points shy of third. A strong performance at Indy could propel him into a prime position as he battles for his fourth NHRA Top Fuel world championship and his first with the AB Motorsports team, now in its third year.
“This is our hometown event, and it’s incredibly special to us,” said Brown, whose AB Motorsports operation is headquartered just two miles from the Indianapolis dragstrip. “Super excited for the Toyota U.S. Nationals. It’s so cool to be able to participate in the 70th running of this historic event, especially with it now being a Toyota race. We’re really striving hard right now. Our team is peaking at the right time, and we’d love to pull off the undeniable turkey here, so that’s what we’re going in to do; that’s our game plan.”
Brown’s 2024 season has been impressive, with three national event wins and three specialty race victories across 13 races. His career statistics continue to solidify his legacy, boasting 517 races, 77 wins, and 50 No. 1 qualifiers. As Brown prepares to take on the competition in Indianapolis, he remains focused on pushing his Matco Tools Toyota team to new heights.
“Our Matco Tools Toyota team is ready to go,” Brown continued. “We’ve won here the last two years, and we’re going to try and continue that streak. All the points are really tight, and we’re working hard to push to be into that top four going into the Countdown. We’re No. 5 right now, so we accomplished part of our goal, which is going into the playoffs in the top five, but we really wanted to go in from that No. 2 spot, so we’re going to work hard, give it all we’ve got, and see what we can do.”
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Antron Brown during a Team Toyota driver autograph session on Saturday, from 10:30 to 11 a.m., at the Toyota midway display.
As the twice-defending event champion, Brown is poised to make a powerful statement on drag racing’s grandest stage. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as he pursues another milestone victory at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.
This story was originally published on August 29, 2024. 
