Charlotte: Antron Brown Saturday notes

BROWN RACES MATCO RAIL TO NO. 3 SPOT AT CHARLOTTE

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 13, 2008) -- Antron Brown powered his David Powers-owned Matco Tools dragster to the No. 3 qualifying position Saturday afternoon at zMax Dragway at Concord to conclude qualifying at the inaugural Carolina Nationals.

Entering the final day of qualifying in the No. 3 qualifying position after clocking a run of 3.865 seconds at 311.20 mph, the bright blue Matco Tools rail overpowered the hot zMax Dragway strip on Saturday's first attempt. Brown coasted to a lap of 6.462 at 93.26. He remained in the No. 3 position. Crew chief Lee Beard and the Matco Tools team made the right adjustments on the Matco-backed rail as Brown finished qualifying with a solid pass of 3.943 at 309.91 on the hot zMax Dragway quarter mile. It is the 24th time that Brown has qualified in the No. 3 position. He has qualified third once this season (Seattle).

"We're looking forward to going into race day from the No. 3 spot," Brown said. "We're comfortable with that last pass. We left a little on the table, so we're happy with that safe pass. We're just excited to get this Countdown (to 1) started at this beautiful drag racing facility."

Brown will square off against No. 14 qualifier Troy Buff in the opening round of Top Fuel eliminations at Noon (ET) on Sunday at zMax Dragway at Concord. They have yet to meet during eliminationsthis season.

-credit: dpm