Courtesy of the NHRA

MADISON, Ill. – Accustomed to already performing at an impressive clip, the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship brings out an even higher level of racing for Top Fuel star Antron Brown. The back-to-back world champion has been dominant in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series playoffs, winning half of the races the past two seasons.

Antron Brown. NHRA photo

Much of that success has come at Gateway Motorsports Park, where Brown posted four straight wins from 2012-2015. That run included two of Brown’s three world titles and he’ll look to add to that success in his 10,000-horsepower Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster when the six-race NHRA playoffs hit the halfway point for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

“It’s the competitive nature of the team and that will to win, and we’re always willing to do something about it,” said Brown, who is second in points entering the Countdown to the Championship. “It pushes us to a different level and this year has even been more intense. This year, there’s a lot of cars going after it. (Points leader) Steve (Torrence) is the man right now, and you have to be perfect to compete for a championship. That’s what gets us up.”

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Alex Laughlin (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live final eliminations coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 1. It is the 21st of 24 races in 2017 and as the pressure rises, so usually does Brown’s performance.

Antron Brown. NHRA photo

He has been neck-and-neck with Torrence for most of the regular season, matching him on round wins (44) and advancing to 10 final rounds. But Torrence has seven victories to Brown’s four and won in Indy, taking a 20-point advantage into the Countdown to the Championship. But Brown relishes these moments, in part because of a mindset that never has him looking too far ahead.

“For our team, we’ve been in these Countdown races for quite some time now and what we’ve found to help us is to focus on one round at a time,” said Brown, who has 65 career wins. “If you look at the whole picture, you lose focus on what’s right in front of you. We focus on every little baby step in front of us and do it to the best of our abilities. That’s what really propels us and I think that’s the key element. It starts with your first run in qualifying. That sets the tone and then we see what we have to do to win the next round. That’s the element that really makes it happen.”

It’s a method that has worked brilliantly for Brown, but he knows he’ll have to be on point against a loaded Top Fuel lineup that also includes eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher, four-time 2017 winner Leah Pritchett, Brittany Force and Doug Kalitta. But Brown insists his goal is to simply have a chance at a title by the time the season finishes in Pomona. To do that, he will look to enjoy more success in St. Louis. Langdon stopped his string of dominance with an impressive weekend in 2016, but Brown will look to build a new streak at Gateway Motorsports Park this year.

“I don’t try to think about (the success at the track), but I always love going there,” said Brown, who has five career wins at the facility. “St. Louis is one of those tracks that is one of my adopted home tracks. I feel at home there. You can tell the track has come back to life and everyone there just puts on a great show. You enjoy racing there and with the date, you know conditions are going to be great. It gets me raring to go racing there.”

Beckman won for the second time in Funny Car at Gateway, but must track down teammate and reigning champ Ron Capps, who enters the Countdown to the Championship with the points lead.

Laughlin played spoiler a year ago in Pro Stock, winning his first career race, and will look to do the same in 2017 against the likes of points leader Bo Butner, Greg Anderson and rookie Tanner Gray.

Savoie’s late-season march to his first world title in Pro Stock Motorcycle started in St. Louis, and he’ll look to repeat facing off with points leader LE Tonglet, Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec.

The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals also features thrilling competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. After Nitro qualifying, stick around to see the spectacular Larsen Motorsports jet dragsters sponsored by Florida Tech and Matrix System. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines.

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 1:15 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 855-RACE-TIK (722-3845). Tickets also are available online at www.gatewaymsp.com. Kids 12-under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For info about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.