MORRISON, Colo. (July 19, 2014) – The hottest NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel team will try to take their success to the highest level on Sunday during the Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver.
The picturesque track lives up to its moniker as it’s situated on the side of a mountain and one mile above sea-level with views of Colorado’s Green Mountain. Although a pretty sight, it provides great difficulty for the crew chiefs of the 10,000-horspower nitro-powered machines.
“The track is definitely tricky out there and we’re making good power for being up on the mountain. We’re getting closer to the right engine combination that will work tomorrow when we run earlier that we have here in qualifying.”
The Matco Tools team, winner of the previous two NHRA Mello Yello events and five total in 13 races this season, qualified sixth for Sunday’s 16-car eliminations but not in the hot conditions that the team led by crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald will face during Sunday’s eliminations that will air live on ESPN beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
“We’ll be ready for race day and that’s the key,” Antron said. “Brian and Mark are getting close to finding the hot weather tune-up we’ll need tomorrow and for the rest of the summer races.”
The key match-up of the day is in the first round when Antron faces Doug Kalitta. They are one-two in the standings with Antron trailing Kalitta by 45 points. Each round win on Sunday is worth 20 points.
“I’m not even worried about the points lead now, not even thinking about points. Our Matco/Toyota boys are just focused on winning the first round.”
The Mile-High NHRA Nationals is the first stop of the annual Western Swing with three races in three weeks. After Denver, the Swing shifts to Sonoma, Calif., and closes with a stop near Seattle. Antron is one of only eight NHRA drivers whose teams can boast of sweeping, or winning all three events, in the annual Western Swing.
TOP FUEL
No. 1 Qualifier: Tony Schumacher (Don Schumacher Racing), 3.823 sec.*, 314.09 mph (* track record)
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Top Fuel Dragster
Qualifying Position: No. 6
SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN vs. Doug Kalitta
QUALIFYING
FRIDAY: 3.961 sec., 303.03 mph, (Session 1); 3.881, 310.63,, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.962, 306.53, (Session 3); 3.868, 307.51, (Session 4)