Antron Brown extends NHRA Top Fuel points lead with win in Texas

Samuel Reiman


Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took their respective class wins in Sunday’s AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

Antron Brown had a huge points day in Top Fuel after defeating his closest championship rival Doug Kalitta in Round 2. Brown also defeated Chris Karamesines and J.R. Todd en route to the final, where he met Morgan Lucas Racing driver Steve Torrence. Brown took his seventh race win of the season, all but solidifying him the championship.

Likewise, Funny Car points leader Ron Capps was able to extend his lead above the competition. However, it wasn’t without drama. In Round 2, Capps defeated Jack Beckman but then had to quickly climb out of his Don Schumacher Racing machine as flames had made their way into the cockpit. Fortunately, Capps was OK, and went on to face teammate Matt Hagan in the final. Hagan had defeated John Bojec, Courtney Force and Robert Hight en route to the final, and defeated Capps with a holeshot win.

While the points leaders were able to extend their leads in Top Fuel and Funny Car, it was a different story for the Countdown contenders over in Pro Stock. Points leader Jason Line was eliminated by Drew Skillman in Round 2, while Line’s teammate Greg Anderson was eliminated by Alex Laughlin in the Semifinals. Vincent Nobile, third in points, was unable to capitalize on the KB Racing drivers’ misfortunes, as he had been eliminated by Shane Tucker in Round 1. At the end of the day, it was Skillman taking home the Wally - for the second time this season - after beating Alex Laughlin in the final.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, it was a big day for Eddie Krawiec, who was sitting second in the points entering Sunday’s event. Points leader Andrew Hines was eliminated by just 0.0002 seconds in Round 2 as L.E. Tonglet took a holeshot win. Krawiec took a holeshot in the final over Jerry Savoie, earning him the points lead with just two rounds left to go.

The stars of NHRA will be back in action in two weeks time for the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip in Las Vegas.