The inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS marks the second of four new events on the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, and Top Fuel veteran and four-time world champ Antron Brown is ready to take on a new track this weekend at Maryland International Raceway.
Brown finished runner-up two weeks ago in Chicago in his 12,000-horsepower Matco Tools Eagle Experience Top Fuel dragster, marking his best result of the young season. Hailing from New Jersey, the four-time world champion says an East Coast race will serve as his home track event and he is confident in the team’s momentum as the series moves into a busy stretch of three straight race weekends.
“After our runner-up in Chicago, the confidence is definitely a lot higher,” said Brown. “The team is definitely on the mend and looking for a really good race out in Maryland, especially since it’s the East Coast hometown track.
“After Chicago, we got a lot more confidence built up after we made four runs in a row down the racetrack in race trim, and even dropping low elapsed time of one elimination round. It really was a huge confidence builder going in knowing that we can run and be competitive. We just let the race get away from us – we just got a little bit aggressive in the final (against points leader Shawn Langdon), but you have to be that way when you’re racing those cars.”
Brown and the NHRA stars will try to win the NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally during the first-ever race at Maryland International Raceway. Along with the thrilling on-track action, a host of 75th anniversary events include:
- An appearance from NHRA legend and three-time Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney and a tribute to Muldowney’s trailblazing history in the sport.
- On Sunday, a free, limited-edition NHRA pennant will be given to the first 4,000 fans in attendance.
The 2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS includes action in all four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series classes and coverage of the event will be broadcast on FOX, with elimination coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31. It is also the seventh of 20 races during the 2026 milestone campaign.
With his runner-up finish in Chicago, Brown will be slotted into the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where he will take on Leah Pruett. The other side of the ladder will feature Chicago winner and current points leader Shawn Langdon and Gainesville winner Josh Hart.
The rest of the loaded field includes reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, racing legend Tony Stewart, Clay Millican, Justin Ashley and rookie Maddi Gordon.
“We’re looking poised and we’re ready to have some more of the same that we did in Chicago, and we’re really looking forward to the hotter summer months coming up, where we think that we have a package that we can compete with,” said Brown. “We’ve always been really strong in the hot weather, so we’re really looking forward to this next three-race stretch in a row and looking forward to seeing what our AB Motorsports team and Matco Tools team can do.”
As part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, Brown was added to the Top 75 Driver List, joining other active NHRA greats including Tony Schumacher, Ron Capps and Greg Anderson. Brown’s impressive performance both on and off the track earned him a spot on the highly prestigious list.
“To be named to the Top 75, honestly, it’s overwhelming in the best way,” Brown said. “I was just a kid from Chesterfield, New Jersey, with a dream, and to now be mentioned alongside some of the biggest names in drag racing is something you never take lightly. This is one of those moments you reflect on, appreciate and carry with you forever. I’m truly honored to join this class.”
The Funny Car class continues to be ultra-competitive, with Ron Capps earning two wins in 2026. He’s tied for the points lead with past world champ J.R. Todd, with four-time champion Matt Hagan in third. Other standouts include Chicago winner Chad Green, Jordan Vandergriff, Alexis DeJoria, Jack Beckman and Spencer Hyde.
Reigning Pro Stock champ Dallas Glenn currently leads the points with two wins in 2026. Matt Hartford also has two victories this year, while six-time world champ Greg Anderson picked up the win in Pomona. Fans at MIR will also see six-time champion Erica Enders, Chicago winner Aaron Stanfield, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and T.J. Coughlin.
Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Richard Gadson is the current points leader, while others to watch include Gaige Herrera, six-time champ Matt Smith, Angie Smith, John Hall, Jianna Evaristo and Maryland native Kelly Clontz.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, May 29 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 31. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, with eliminations action on Sunday at 3 p.m on FOX.
To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
This story was originally published on May 26, 2026.
The post Antron Brown Brings Momentum to Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
