Antron Brown isn’t about to pat himself on the back for reaching the 800-round win milestone in NHRA competition.
But he knows one day he’ll look back on his career — in both the Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel categories — and feel like it was a job well done.
“When I’m not driving no more, hopefully, there’s enough of history to look back on and go, that was good, you know?” Brown said.
His milestone achievement occurred during the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway on June 11 when he defeated Doug Kalitta in the semifinal round of eliminations.
Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster down the Tennessee drag strip in 3.730 seconds to flip his 800th win light. However, the 47-year-old was unable to beat Justin Ashley in the finals, which extended his career winless streak at Bristol.
“I know things always come when they’re meant to come,” Brown said. “With that being said, I looked up and asked, ‘Lord have mercy, when is our time?’”
The 24-year veteran of the NHRA circuit still has plenty to hold his head high about, as he also captured his 50th No. 1 qualifier award during the doubleheader weekend.
Exiting Bristol, Brown was ranked fifth in the Top Fuel standings.
While it’s a point of pride for the New Jersey native to be one of six drivers in NHRA history to boast an 800-round win record, he’s already back to chasing the next win light.
“Just keep going, keep going,” Brown said. “I’m one of the type of people that, I never focus on what we’re doing or look at our accomplishments. We’re already looking at what’s next.”
No doubt, it’s that very mindset that has pushed Brown to become one of the most respected and formidable NHRA drivers over the last two decades.
In 2008, he became the first driver in series history to win races in both Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel. In 2012, he became the first African-American NHRA champion. In 2015-’16, he scored back-to-back Top Fuel titles.
Most recently, his never-give-up, never-give-in outlook inspired him to start his own NHRA operation — Antron Brown Motorsports. While it’s been a windy road at times, Brown has already collected four Wallys in ABM’s opening two seasons.
“We just keep on pushing forward to go towards that next goal,” Brown said. “That’s how we operate.”
He qualified ninth during the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, on Saturday night. Brown will be matched against Mike Salinas during the first round of eliminations on Sunday as he knocks on the door of round win No. 801.