Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has acquired the racing assets of the Antron Brown-driven Matco Tools Top Fuel team from Mike Ashley Racing. The sale is effective immediately and continues the long-standing relationship between Matco Tools and Don Schumacher Racing.
The Matco Tools team will remain intact with Brown piloting the bright blue Matco-backed rail tuned by Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald. The team will next compete at the ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Matco Tools Iron Eagle Club hospitality also will remain unchanged for the remainder of the 2009 NHRA season.
“The opportunity recently arose to purchase the assets of Mike Ashley Racing, and it was something we felt we couldn’t pass up,” said Schumacher. “We at DSR have had a longtime association with Matco Tools, and to be able to continue our relationship with that company through a primary sponsorship of one of our teams is invaluable to everyone involved.
“I welcome back Antron to our team as well as Brian Corradi. Antron did a wonderful job riding the U.S. Army motorcycle, and he has since developed into an outstanding Top Fuel racer. He has always been a great representative for his sponsors, so I know he will continue to be an excellent spokesperson not only for Matco Tools, but for DSR as well.”
Brown returns to DSR following five years of riding the U.S. Army Pro Stock Motorcycle Suzuki to six wins for Don Schumacher Racing from 2003 to 2007. The former college track star won 16 races and earned 11 poles on his Suzuki during 10 seasons in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks before making the jump to Top Fuel in 2008. Corradi also has worked with DSR, as tuner on two Top Fuel dragster teams.
Brown has driven the Matco Tools dragster to five wins in nine final-round appearances this season. In July, he became just the seventh Professional driver to sweep the grueling Western Swing (Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma). Brown also has seven No. 1 qualifying awards and has posted top speed of the meet at 13 races this season. Brown clocked the fastest run at 1,000-foot racing at 319.75 mph in Bristol in May and holds the NHRA national speed mark at 319.60 mph. He has 23 wins and is the only racer in NHRA history to win races and lead the standings in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“This is a great opportunity to make this Matco Tools Top Fuel team even stronger,” Brown said. “I worked at DSR, and Don gives his teams everything they need to win championships. It’s great to have some stability for our team, and joining DSR is going to give our Matco team even more resources to win this championship this year and for many years to come. We’re excited to get back to racing for Matco and DSR this weekend at Vegas.”