AUTO RACING: Brown Out to Prove the Critics Wrong

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Antron Brown heard the doubters.

They wondered how, and even why, someone would jump from the world of NHRA Pro Stock motorcycles into the radical world of Top Fuel dragsters.

“A lot of people didn’t think I could do this,” Brown said. “They even compared it to Michael Jordan leaving pro basketball and trying to play baseball.”
Instead of getting mad over the skeptics, Brown channeled the negative vibes into positive motivation.

“I used all the doubts and questions as fuel,” Brown said.

Through the first seven events of the NHRA Powerade schedule, a refueled Brown has answered plenty of questions.

Entering this weekend’s O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, Brown trails only five-time world champion Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel points.

“I’m having a blast,” Brown said. “Competing in Top Fuel has been more fun than I ever anticipated.”

Brown’s fun reached a peak on April 27. The site was Atlanta Dragway and the final round opponent was Schumacher.

After advancing to the finals with near-perfect reaction times, Brown stunned Schumacher for the win with yet another holeshot. It was the second victory of the season for Brown, and the motorsports world took notice.

“Atlanta was definitely a highlight,” said Brown, a former track and field standout in New Jersey. “You don’t expect to beat a five-time world champion like Tony.

“Beating a driver of that caliber in the finals felt great, but this whole deal is a marathon and there is so much balance in Top Fuel.”

For Brown, the climb to NHRA headliner status began to develop in 1998 when former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro cornerback Troy Vincent formed a Pro Stock motorcycle team.

With financial backing from Vincent and on-track tutoring from the late Dave Schultz, Brown earned 16 wins along with a pair of runnerup finishes in points.

“Troy has been a mentor and big brother to me,” Brown said. “I still talk to Troy once or twice a week and he helps me in personal endeavors.”

While Brown has surprised many veteran observers with his race day instincts and performance, team owner David Powers began to assemble the vital pieces months ago.

“I saw the chemistry and potential for great things shortly after I got this opportunity,” said Brown, who replaced Whit Bazemore in the Matco Tools dragster. “There was no selfishness, just everybody working together.”

Rod Fuller, Brown’s teammate at Powers Motorsports, currently ranks fourth in Top Fuel points after finishing second last year.

“Rod showed our team what it takes to run for a championship,” Brown said. “We push each other every day.”

Brown hopes to keep pushing this weekend at Thunder Valley.

“I’ve haven’t been to Bristol since the Winston Showdown [the 2000 NHRA all-star race], but I have good memories of the track. The rumble in these mountains is just awesome,” Brown said. “Any Bruton Smith facility is going to be first class, and it’s an honor to race here.

“If the weather forecast holds for Friday night, I wouldn’t be surprised to see speeds in the high 4.40-second [330 mph] range.”

Motivation aside, even Brown couldn’t have expected to begin his debut season in Top Fuel by qualifying first for the season-opening event in Pomoma and then challenging for the points lead.

“We practiced well and I knew we would strong, I just didn’t know things would come together this soon,” Brown said.

“I have to thank the people who have supported me through all this, and that includes my car owner, crew chief and family. They all believed in me and that gave me even more fuel.”

NOTES: Brown will be among the drivers competing in the NHRA Circle Track Challenge Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. He tested his oval track driving skills two weeks ago at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill.

“I drove a [Crate] Late Model,” said Brown, who has attended a racing school in Austin, Tex. “I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

“I’m ready for the stock car experience at Bristol. I love the fast pace. It’s all about being smooth and consistent.”