The Brown Bulletin The pre-race release of 23-time NHRA winner Antron Brown and the Matco Tools Top Fuel team Ninth annual Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2009 The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas Antron Brown on Las Vegas “We’re geared up and ready to go. I’m excited about getting to (Las) Vegas and building on our momentum from Richmond. That was a great race for us to get back in the thick of this title race in the Countdown (to 1) and we need to keep that going. Our MAR Matco Tools dragster is running great and we need to have another strong showing so we have a shot to win the title at Pomona (Calif.). We’ve had a lot of success at LVMS, now we just need to get the win.” Antron Brown Las Vegas NHRA Notebook Three weeks ago at Richmond, Va., Brown qualified his Matco Tools dragster fifth. The 23-time NHRA winner clocked his second quickest pass of the season at 3.797-seconds at a blistering 319.60 mph speed. The speed reset the NHRA national record that Brown previously held at 319.22 mph. The five-time winner in 2009 experienced a rebound performance advancing to his ninth final-round appearance of the season. Brown was defeated in the final by Brandon Bernstein when the Matco Tools dragster smoked the tires. In three Top Fuel appearances at The Strip at LVMS, Brown has advanced to at least the semifinals. In his first Top Fuel race at The Strip, Brown posted a runner-up finish to 31-time winner Cory McClenathan, 4.654 to 4.703. Last fall at the Las Vegas Nationals, Brown qualified second at 3.812 seconds at 315.49 mph. He advanced to the semifinals before falling to then teammate Hot Rod Fuller. This April at the spring Las Vegas race, Brown qualified second at 3.878-seconds and went to the semis before smoking the tires against Bernstein. Brown is a two-time finalist at the Las Vegas track (2001, ‘08). His average qualifying position at The Strip at LVMS is 6.72 in 11 tries at the Bruton Smith-owned track and 3.33 in three Top Fuel races. This season, Brown has five wins in nine final round appearances, along with seven poles. In July, Brown made NHRA history becoming just the seventh professional driver to sweep the grueling Western Swing (Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif.). Brown also posted the fastest run in NHRA 1,000-foot racing at 319.75. He has set the NHRA national speed record twice at 319.22 and 319.60 mph. He led the standings entering the Countdown to 1 and after 13 races this season. He trails Tony Schumacher by 81 points or four rounds of racing and ranks fourth in the Countdown to 1 standings, his lowest placing of the season. Brown’s average qualifying position this season is 3.77 and 3.75 in the four Countdown to 1 races. Antron Brown... Did You Know? -Brown was a track star at Mercer Community College in New Jersey competing in the 100 and 200-meters, long jump, and 55-meter indoor. He ran quick enough to qualify for the U.S. Olympic trails in the 100-meters. -Brown’s first race team owner was former NFL star cornerback Troy Vincent. -Brown is the only driver in NHRA history to hold the points lead and win races in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle (7 TF/16 PSM). -Brown’s team owner, Mike Ashley, is a three-time NHRA Funny Car winner, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals in 2007. -Brown’s co-crew chief, Mark Oswald, won the 1984 NHRA Winston Funny Car championship. Oswald is one of 14 drivers in NHRA history to have won races in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel Standings (22 of 24 races) Countdown to 1 (four of six races) 1. Tony Schumacher (5) 2,427 - - - 2. Larry Dixon (5) 2,380 -47 3. Cory McClenathan (1) 2,359 -68 4. ANTRON BROWN (5) 2,346 -81 5. Brandon Bernstein (1) 2,307 -120 6. Morgan Lucas (3) 2,269 -158 7. Shawn Langdon 2,254 -173 8. Spencer Massey (1) 2,225 -202 9. Doug Kalitta (1) 2,218 -209 10. Clay Millican 2,093 -334 Antron Brown’s Career Results at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Year Qualified Finish/Winning Driver 2000 No. 5 Second round—Tony Mullen 2001 No. 5 Runner-up—Shawn Gann 2002 No. 4 Second round—Shawn Gann 2003 No. 13 First round—Andrew Hines 2004 No. 10 Second round—Chip Ellis 2005 No. 9 First round—Craig Treble (foul) 2006 No. 7 Second round—Andrew Hines (foul) 2007 No. 11 First round—Peggy Llewellyn 2008 No. 6—4.600 ET Runner-up—Cory McClenathan 2008 No. 2—3.812 ET Semifinals—Rod Fuller 2009 No. 2—3.878 ET Semifinals—Brandon Bernstein Brown’s Las Vegas Schedule Date/Time Event/Location Wed., Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Matco Tools TechEd Visit—College of So. Nevada 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., N. Las Vegas, NV 89030 Thur., Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m. NHRA Fan Fest, The Fremont Street Experience 3rd St. and Fremont St. near Four Queens Hotel Fri., Oct. 30, 1:30/4 p.m. TF Qualifying 1/2, The Strip at LVMS Sat., Oct. 31, 12:30/3:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 3/4, The Strip at LVMS Sun., Nov. 1, 11 a.m. Final Eliminations, The Strip at LVMS Brown’s Career-Best Performances E.T./Speed Location Date E.T.—4.495 seconds Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2008 MPH—331.94 mph Madison, Ill. May 2008 E.T.—3.778 seconds* Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2009 MPH—319.75 mph* Bristol, Tenn. May 2009 *1,000-foot Las Vegas NHRA Nationals TV Schedule (ESPN2) Date/Time (ET) Coverage Sat., Oct. 31, 10 p.m.-Midnight Qualifying Highlights Sun., Nov. 1, 11-11:30 a.m. NHRA Race Day Sun., Nov. 1, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations www.matcotools.com www.mikeashleyracing.com www.antronbrown.com www.twitter.com/MARnews