By Mike Haag

BAYTOWN, Texas – If drag racing fans ever wondered why NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Antron Brown always has a smile on his face, there is a good reason.

Top Fuel driver Antron Brown is enjoy life as a driver on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel circuit. (Photo by Jason Zindroski)

It’s because he is loving life as a drag racer and cherishing every moment.

“I never take one day for granted,” Brown said.  “The good Lord puts you on this Earth and you don’t know how many days are guaranteed.  So what I do is that I tend to enjoy every moment.  If they ain’t putting you underneath the ground, then it ain’t a bad day.”

Brown, who drives the Matco Tools / U.S. Army dragster on the NHRA Top Fuel circuit, is competing in the NHRA SpringNationals on Sunday at Royal Purple Raceway.  He will start the first round of qualifying on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the No. 2 spot and will face Terry Haddock after posting a qualifying time clocked at 3.723 seconds, 322.50 mph.

“It feels good to be back here in Houston,” Brown said.  “Whenever we come back to a track on the circuit where it brings back the old heritage of drag racing.  This is like an old-school track and you get that vibe and feel of what it was like when I grew up as a kid.  This is one of those retro tracks that takes you back in time, but it is still one of those good performing race tracks that we go to.”

Antron Brown was the second fastest Top Fuel qualifier for Sunday’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series NHRA Springnationals at 
Royal Purple Raceway.  (Photo by Mark Rebilas)

Brown enters Sunday’s race as one of the most dominant drivers in major U.S. auto racing today.  The 41-year old driver has won three world championships and he recently scored his 46th career Top Fuel victory at Las Vegas two weeks ago.  With the victory he joined Doug Kalitta as the only two drivers in history to win at least one race a year during the past 10 seasons.

“To come out here and do what we do for a living is never a bad day,” Brown said.  The challenge to winning is how to win and do it on a consistent basis.  You are not always going to be able to do that and when you don’t you have to be able to figure out why and how.  You work to become better.  That’s why we are here and that’s why we do what we do.”

NHRA Top Fuel driver Antron Brown. (NHRA photo)

Racing at Royal Purple Raceway has always been very special for Brown because this is the track where he scored his first NHRA Top Fuel victory.

“It’s always great to get back to Houston,” Brown said.  “That’s where I won my first Top Fuel race and a place where we’ve been pretty good.   I love racing here and I love the fans who always are here to support what we do.”

Brown, who won here in 2008 and 2014, started his NHRA drag racing career in 1998 in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, where he competed for 10 seasons, winning 16 times before leaving to drive Top Fuel dragsters.

Since moving to Top Fuel he has had an incredible run of success on the circuit during the past 10 years and has amassed several accolades along the way.

In 2012 Brown won his first championship and during that season he became the first African-American driver to win a world championship during a season that featured him scoring six victories in 11 final rounds.

Antron Brown qualified second with a pass clocked at 3.723-seconds on Friday night at the
NHRA Springnationals at Royal Purple Raceway. (Photo by Mark Rebilas)

After winning his second championship in 2015, Brown returned in 2016 to defend his crown, which was his third Top Fuel championship in five years.  Last year he had seven victories in 11 final round appearances and he won three of the six Countdown to the Championship races.  It also marked the ninth time that he made an appearance in the Top Fuel playoffs.

“I am not one to look at all of the accolades that we actually do,” Brown said.  “It’s great to hear them because it’s the kind of team that we have here.  And what that takes is a team that has to be very versatile and that can adapt to a lot of diverse situations.”

Brown added, “That’s what this NHRA Nitro racing does.  That’s what we work very hard at being.  I always tell people that one day when I retire then I will look back and see what we have done.  Our heads are down on the grind and we are always looking forward.”

Antron Brown’s win in Las Vegas two weeks ago helped score the 300th win for Don Schumacher Racing. (Toyota Racing Photo)

Under the direction and guidance of crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, Brown’s recent win in Las Vegas helped Don Schumacher Racing notch their 300th win as a racing dynasty.

“That was pretty awesome to get the 300th win for Don Schumacher,” Brown said.  “It’s awesome to be part of this team that is Don Schumacher Racing.  He has done so much for this entire sport.  To be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and all of the different accolades that he has gotten is a tribute to the sport and our team.  To be a part of it and bring this win home and stack them up with all of the Don Schumacher Racing’s 16 championships was special and heartfelt for our team.”

Brown said he is especially thankful and grateful for his fan’s support during his stint as a NHRA drag racer.  Not only is he one of the fan-favorite drivers for this event, but next to 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, Brown attracts the next biggest crowd at his pit and hauler here at Royal Purple Raceway.

Antron Brown will face Terry Haddock in the opening round of the NHRA Springnationals on Sunday at Royal Purple Raceway. (Toyota Racing Photo)

“People always get with people they can relate with,” Brown said.  “An area like this really fits with your personality and who you are and where you came from and a lot of fans really see that.  People know where I come from and what I am about.  Plus I got a lot of in-laws and family from this area too.  My wife is from Louisiana so I get to see a lot of my family too.”

Sunday Brown will continue his march towards a fourth championship.  After placing second in each of the first three qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, Brown trails his teammate Tony Schumacher by 18 points and with a strong finish on Sunday he can take over the points lead.

“The bottom line is to always have fun.  Our team loves to make some NHRA history.  So we want to keep on winning more.  We want to keep the pedal down and go wide open as long as we can.”

And whether or not he wins or loses on Sunday, there’s one thing you can count on.  He definitely will be smiling and enjoying the experience.