Phoenix: Antron Brown Saturday notes

BROWN QUALIFIES MATCO DRAGSTER FIFTH AT PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 23, 2008) -- Antron Brown raced his David Powers-owned Matco Tools dragster to the No. 5 qualifying position Saturday afternoon at Firebird International Raceway. Brown used a Saturday-best lap of 4.538-seconds to place the Matco-backed rail fifth in the Top Fuel order.

After losing both of Friday's qualifying sessions due to rain showers, the Lee Beard-led crew posted two solid qualifying runs on Saturday during the 24th annual CSK Nationals. Competing at the Phoenix-area track for the first time in his career, Brown clocked an opening run of 4.565 seconds at 324.90 mph. The 16-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle winner used Lee Beard horsepower to improve with a pass of 4.538 at 320.28, placing the Matco dragster fifth in the 16-car order. Brown earned his 12th career pole at the season-opening Winternationals two weeks ago in Pomona, Calif. He has now qualified for 147 consecutive events.

"We made two consistent runs on Saturday," Brown said. "We're confident here at F.I.R. We look good going into tomorrow. Each lap we make with this Matco Tools dragster, I'm more in sync with the car. Our crew is doing a phenomenal job. We're going to work our tails off on race day to try and bring that "Wally" to all the Matco folks at Expo in Orlando."

Brown will match up against No. 12 qualifier Doug Herbert in the opening round of Top Fuel eliminations at 11 a.m. (MT) on Sunday at Firebird.

-credit: dpm