As the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads into its critical summer stretch, four-time and defending Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown is ready to make a move in the standings at this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the seventh event of the 2025 season.
Brown, the driver of the Matco Tools Top Fuel Dragster, enters the Epping event ranked third in the championship points standings, backed by a strong start to the season that includes one win, one runner-up finish, and one No. 1 qualifier through the first six events. He’ll look to capitalize on the momentum gained during a recent quarterfinal appearance in Chicago, where he qualified fourth and earned a round win before exiting in the second round.
New England Dragway has been a successful venue for Brown throughout his career. The 2016 event champion has also posted two runner-up finishes (2017, 2018) and secured two No. 1 qualifiers (2014, 2023), including his milestone 50th career pole position just last season.
“So many great memories up there in Epping,” said Brown. “One thing that always stands out about this race is ‘Wild Bill’s’ bus tour with a great group of Matco Tools distributors and customers. I love getting to mix in with all of our wonderful Matco supporters and getting to spend time with them. And for me, it’s also always nice to be closer to home. I’m an East Coast boy from Jersey, so I always look forward to seeing family and friends at this race.”
With four races scheduled over the next five weeks, Brown and his AB Motorsports team are eyeing a critical opportunity to climb back to the top of the standings and position themselves for a run at the regular-season championship.
“We’re third right now but looking to get back to that No. 1 spot,” Brown added. “We know these next five weeks will be grueling, but we’re focused. This will be a crucial part of the regular season where you can make some big points moves. We’re right in the hunt, in the middle of it all, and we’re looking to grow and continue to improve.”
This story was originally published on May 28, 2025. 
