Five-time U.S. Nationals winner Antron Brown returned to one of his most successful tracks seeking a sixth victory at the prestigious event. The four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion opened eliminations with his quickest pass of the weekend before his pursuit ended in the second round at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Brown, who won the U.S. Nationals twice in Pro Stock Motorcycle in 2000 and 2004 and three times in Top Fuel in 2011, 2022 and 2023, qualified the Matco Tools Eagle Experience Top Fuel dragster in the No. 10 position.
The NHRA top 75 driver began the five-session qualifying format with a 4.206-second pass at 207.94 mph, placing him in the provisional No. 15 position. He made a strong move during Friday’s second session, powering to a 3.797 at 330.07 to lead the round, earn three bonus points and move into the No. 6 spot.
Brown added another qualifying bonus point Saturday afternoon when his 3.937 at 313.73 ranked third quickest of the third session. He encountered tire smoke near half-track during the fourth qualifying round and slowed to a 4.996 at 146.18, dropping to the No. 10 position.
In the fifth and final session, Brown guided the Matco Tools Eagle Experience dragster straight down the track in 3.885 seconds at 316.97 mph to secure the No. 10 starting position.
Brown opened Monday’s eliminations in a marquee matchup against Ida Zetterström. He gained the starting-line advantage and never trailed, racing to his best performance of the weekend with a 3.737 at 333.74 to earn the round win.
In the second round, Brown posted a solid 3.838 at 319.82, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Tony Stewart’s 3.740-second pass at 336.74 mph, ending Brown’s pursuit of another U.S. Nationals victory.
“We definitely made a good lap the first lap and then felt comfortable going in that last round,” Brown said. “They went out there and ran a 3.740, so hats off to them and you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. We dropped a hole before the 330, so we were right there on pace with them. We looked at the data, and it should’ve been a lot closer drag race, but they still would’ve got it.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t a bad weekend – it wasn’t a great weekend. We really would have liked to take it home, but this is the U.S. National, so it was a feat to qualify here and to get past first round. But we’ve got a lot more racing left to do. If we can’t get the U.S. Nationals [win], it’s time to go after trying to get that championship.”
With the NHRA regular season complete, Brown now turns his attention to the Countdown to the Championship. The four-time Top Fuel world champion enters the playoffs fifth in the standings as he begins his pursuit of a fifth championship.
Brown and the Matco Tools team will return to competition at the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan.
