NHRA team owner/driver Antron Brown has appointed veteran partnership specialist Kevin Contardo to lead sponsor relations for his AB Motorsports team for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. As Director of Business Operations, Contardo will oversee ABM’s existing partnership programs while pursuing new relationships with both endemic and non-endemic brands. He will also collaborate closely with ABM’s hospitality, merchandising, and machine shop departments as he builds upon the strong foundation Brown has successfully established through his first four years of NHRA team ownership.
Contardo brings more than a decade of sponsorship development experience to AB Motorsports. His previous roles include serving as Director of Strategic Partnerships for John Force Racing and JCM Racing. He also held the position of Director of Global Partnerships at Oak View Group, a global sports and live entertainment venue management company, and served as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Nashville Zoo. His in-depth partnership management experience, paired with his extensive motorsports background, uniquely positions him to support ABM’s continued growth.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running with Antron and his AB Motorsports team,” said Contardo, who will work from the team’s Brownsburg, Ind., headquarters. “I’m a lifelong drag racing fan and have had the privilege of working in the NHRA space previously. I was thrilled to get the call from Antron and have the opportunity to rejoin the NHRA circuit with his AB Motorsports team.
“I’ve long admired Antron, and it’s been especially impressive to see how far his operation has come in just four short years,” Contardo added. “From the addition and expansion of his FAB Machining business to the Accelerate program, the show car, and the 2024 Top Fuel championship, the team has built something truly remarkable. My goal is to support and enhance what ABM has already created and help streamline processes and operations so Antron can focus his attention on driving the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster and engaging with ABM partners.”
Contardo’s first order of business as Director of Business Operations will be joining Brown at the Performance Racing Industry Show at the Indiana Convention Center later this week.
“We brought Kevin on board at the perfect time,” said Brown, a four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion. “He’s an Indy local and already well established within the drag racing community. This week’s PRI show will be the perfect opportunity for Kevin to get to know some of our current partners and have some one-on-one time with them, as well as make some new connections for our team. We’ve got big things in store for 2026, and the addition of Kevin to our team is just the beginning.”
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opens with the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 6 – 8.
This story was originally published on December 9, 2025. 
