September 15, 2022, St. Louis – Antron Brown is a three-time NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel world champion.
He has scored five national event wins at World Wide Technology Raceway.
In his first year as a team owner, he scored his 100th career win at the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend.
And on September 7, he testified before the U.S. Committee on Environment and Public Works in Washington, D.C.
But last weekend, the man who drives 12,000-horsepower cars at 330 miles per hour for a living was just “dad.”
Antron and his sons Adler, 14, and Anson, 18, participated in the annual Midwest Jr. Dragster Super Series at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. It was family time, away from the pressures of owning a professional drag racing operation and contending for a fourth NHRA championship.
“It’s one of those deals where you see them coming up in the same footsteps as you came up,” said Antron, who is a second-generation racer. “You see that look in their eye. You see that look on their face. You see that demeanor, and you’re like ‘I had that look.’ You can’t make kids have that. They have to be born with it and have that fire and desire inside.”
Son Adler echoed his father’s sentiment. “It’s pretty special to be out here,” Adler admitted. “You’re going down a road that your dad went down. He’s pretty funny and makes a lot of jokes. And when I get to race with him, we get a lot of wins. He’s a pretty cool dad to go out with.”
“It’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever felt in my life,” Anson said. “It’s fun, and it’s rewarding. It’s cool to have a mentor that you know and races too. He guides you and won’t lead you in the wrong direction.”
“It brings a tear to my eye,” Antron said. “It’s like my heart and my soul is just pounding with passion because I see it in them. I’m so grateful, thankful, and blessed to see them and start the craft I did at such a young age.”
Come Friday, September 30, Antron will return to the business of chasing a final-round win and the championship in the St. Louis-Metro East market. After winning two of the past three races on the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour, Antron has jumped up to sixth place in the championship standings.
“We’re in the conversation now,” said Brown. “With the Countdown right in front of us and us jumping from being 12th a few races ago to being sixth, I think we’re going to be in that talk. We’re just going to go out there and compete and race for a championship, and that’s our mindset and our game plan right now. We just have to keep our head down and for the next six races, AB Motorsports says, ‘here we come.’ “
THE EVENT
The world’s quickest and fastest race cars will converge at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, from September 30 to October 2 for the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals. The series’ premier classes are Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, with nitromethane-burning 12,000-horsepower engines that rocket the cars from zero to more than 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds.
Some of the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing include:
- Legendary Funny Car pilot John Force, a 16-time champion with three WWTR wins.
- Five-time WWTR Pro Stock winner Erica Enders (four NHRA crowns).
- Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps (four WWTR final-round wins).
Friday’s high-speed action includes a nighttime qualifying session for Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster teams and the white-hot exhaust flames will light up the night. Friday’s activities will conclude with a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger and fireworks.
The Midwest Nationals are the third event in the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Countdown to the Championship and the point battles will be fierce in all four pro categories.
Every ticket is a pit pass and fans are encouraged to meet their favorite drivers. Attractions include the manufacturers midway, interactive displays and a classic car show. Spectator gates will open each day at 8 a.m.
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com.
Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult in select sections. Although they are admitted free, each child must have a ticket. (Please call the ticket office for details.)
Friday, September 30
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Sportsman qualifying.
4 p.m. – Pro Mods.
6 p.m. – Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
7 p.m. – Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
Fireworks immediately after the final pair of Top Fuel cars, followed by a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger.
Saturday, October 1
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
8 a.m. – Sportsman eliminations.
12:30 p.m. – Pro Mod qualifying.
1:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
2:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
3:45 p.m. – Pro Mods.
4:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
5:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
Sportsman eliminations continue until approximately 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 2
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
9:30 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies.
10:30 a.m. – First round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
12:45 p.m. – Second round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
2:15 p.m. – Third round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
3:30 p.m. – Final round of eliminations.
4 p.m. – Victory lane celebration.
