Following his victory at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown will travel to Matco Tools headquarters on June 23 to participate in the company’s annual employee picnic.
The visit continues a long-standing tradition between Brown and Matco Tools, one of the most recognizable and enduring partnerships in professional drag racing. During the visit, Brown and members of the AB Motorsports team will spend time with Matco employees and associates, celebrate the team’s recent success at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, and thank the people who have supported the partnership for more than two decades.
Brown first joined the Matco Tools Racing team in 2003 during his Pro Stock Motorcycle career. In 2008, he moved into the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster, beginning one of the most successful partnerships in NHRA history. Together, Brown and Matco Tools have celebrated multiple world championships, national event victories, and countless milestones throughout the last 23 years.
“Getting the opportunity to come back to Matco Tools headquarters each year is something I always look forward to,” said Brown. “Matco has been family to me for more than two decades, and that’s something you don’t find very often in this sport. To spend time with the employees, distributors, and everyone who helps make this company what it is means a lot to our entire AB Motorsports team. We were excited to bring the Bristol win with us and celebrate it together because their support is a big part of everything we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s always special to shake hands, share stories, and thank the people who are behind us every step of the way.”
Matco Tools hosts annual corporate appreciation events and employee picnics for its team and distributors at its headquarters and manufacturing facilities. Brown’s visit gives employees an opportunity to connect with the driver and team they support throughout the NHRA season while celebrating the shared success of the partnership.
“Hosting Antron Brown and the AB Motorsports team at our Stow, Ohio headquarters for our annual summer picnic is a tradition our team looks forward to each year,” said Laura Harr, Chief Merchandising Officer for Matco Tools. “We’re proud of our long-standing partnership and are excited to celebrate his recent win together.
“He and his team compete at the highest levels of NHRA racing, where our tools are tested under extreme conditions and at incredible speeds, making our partnership a natural strategic fit for Matco Tools.”
The annual visit comes just days after Brown earned his first Bristol Dragway victory and the 82nd national event win of his NHRA career. The victory also marked Brown’s first win of the 2026 season and added another milestone to an already historic career that includes four Top Fuel world championships and recognition among the NHRA Top 75 Drivers.
Following the visit, Brown and the Matco Tools-backed AB Motorsports team will return to competition at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, June 25-28.
