Defending Champion Antron Brown Targets Repeat Win at NHRA Route 66 Nationals

Antron Brown, who drives the Matco Tools Top Fuel Dragster, will return to Route 66 Raceway for the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. The event takes place from May 16 to 18, and Brown aims to repeat his 2024 victory and add to his impressive track record at the Joliet, Illinois venue.

The three-time Top Fuel world champion has a storied history at Route 66, standing out as one of NHRA’s most successful competitors on this track. Brown has claimed six victories at Route 66 Raceway across two NHRA categories.

He won the Top Fuel event four times—in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2024—and secured two Pro Stock Motorcycle wins earlier in his career, in 2000 and 2001. These six wins tie him with Jeg Coughlin Jr. for the most Mission Foods Series victories at the Joliet track.

When Brown took the win in 2024, he notched his 75th career NHRA victory, marking a remarkable milestone for himself and his AB Motorsports team. That win helped launch a great year during which Brown captured six national event wins.

Heading into the 2025 event, Brown’s season performance remains strong. In five Top Fuel events this year, he has earned one victory, a runner-up finish, and secured one No. 1 qualifier.

“We’re looking forward to going to Chicago. It’s always been a really good racetrack for this Matco Tools Lucas Oil team,” Brown said. “We peeled off a win there last year, so it feels good to come back.”

“This race always has a lot of special memories and meaning for us. This is the hometown of the late Don Schumacher, who gave many of us our start in racing. We want to honor his legacy by racing hard and aiming for another win.”

Brown comes into Joliet following a semifinal finish at Charlotte, where he qualified fifth and battled through tough rounds on race day. His consistent results have earned him a place in this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, reflecting his competitiveness throughout the NHRA series.

He is also planning to meet fans during autograph sessions scheduled early Saturday morning at the Route 66 Raceway midway areas. For more details on the event schedule, check the official NHRA event page. Qualifying at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals begins on Friday, May 16.

The elimination rounds set the stage for Sunday, May 18. With his history of wins and strong momentum this season, Antron Brown enters as one of the favorites to make a run at another Route 66 victory.

Brown’s journey at this track is filled with landmark races and special memories for himself, his team, and fans of drag racing. As the Route 66 Nationals get underway, all eyes will be on him to see if he can extend his record as the winningest driver at this prestigious event. For more on the history of Top Fuel racing, visit the National Hot Rod Association’s official archives. Recent news about Jim Dunn Racing in Chicago adds to the excitement surrounding this weekend’s event.