Antron Brown: Future Force?

By Amy Glover ~ Photos by Wanda Glover

Antron discusses strategy with a fellow crew member.

Dixon, Schumacher, Kalitta, Force; all big names of racing for their success and involvement in the NHRA drag racing world, all finding connectivity in the admiration of a rookie Top Fuel dragster driver Antron Brown. “I grew up watching these guys,” Brown comments. “I wasn’t born with the name Prudhomme or Force. To get in the game, you either need money or someone to believe in you.” And Lee Beard, famous tuner of successful racing teams in the past, and Brown’s crew chief, certainly believes in him. And who wouldn’t, after Antron’s winning two out of the past six races, and placing second in another, something some of the more seasoned drivers have yet to achieve. “Going into this, I knew it would be a quick success or a quick failure. So my successes tell you how great my team is.” Antron attributes his passion for racing to his New Jersey roots, with a family involved in racing and a local track to visit.

Antron burns out during a qualifying session.

Antron began his professional career with the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, and after racing in the category for a decade, he finally secured his dream ride in a Top Fuel dragster, sponsored by Matco Tools. Antron explains, “When I was young, in the stands, I always waited for the dragsters and funny cars. It’s a pure adrenaline rush, as fast as you can get.” His 16 Pro Stock Motorcycle wins, among other victories, most certainly led to interest in his capabilities for Top Fuel. “I’ve been working on this for years,” Antron recalls; “I pinch myself all the time to see if I’m dreaming. Sometimes my wife pops me on the back of my head, saying, ‘It’s real, you’re awake.’ Now I’m amongst all the racers I grew up watching.”

Antron mingles with the fans.

Antron’s 2300 lb. Matco Tools dragster isn’t the only thing in tow; along with his racing career, he’s also a family man, with his wife Billie Jo, his daughter Ariana, his son Anson, and the new addition, Adler, born just before his first win at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals. Asked how he balances family life, Antron responded, “I include my family in everything that I do. They’re a part of what I do. My dad and uncle are always giving me advice and support.”  Antron also spoke about his kids’ futures in racing, “I’m gonna let them do whatever they want to do, and I’ll support whatever they want to do. My son Anson loves the race track, even though he’s so little, he says he wants to do it too. He says, ‘Daddy, I’m gonna race a car just like you.’”

Antron warms up his dragster's engine.

The Southern Nationals was a particularly exciting race for Antron, following up his recent victories with a good first round against David Grubnic and a close second round alongside Cory Mac, whom he had met the previous week in the final round. Mac had the advantage of being the weekend’s top qualifier, but that wasn’t enough when stacked up against Antron’s excellent reaction times.. In the third round he was able to overtake Bob Vandergriff, whose car had broken mid-race, and finished with a holeshot win against his old teammate Tony Schumacher. Brown emphasized, “I just take each race round by round. I’m tickled to death to be part of the Matco Tools team, I’m just stoked.”

Antron launches at nighttime.

As for plans for the future, Brown’s goals are simple: “I want to make my career the best it can be, and win a championship.” It’s clear that Antron Brown has the potential to put the ‘Brown’ name among the superstars he admires, as he has already proven he’s got what it takes to be a Top Fuel driver.