Schumacher buys Antron Brown Top Fuel team

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has acquired the racing assets of the Antron Brown-driven Matco Tools Top Fuel team from Mike Ashley Racing. Team owner Don Schumacher made the announcement today. 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 Las Vegas NHRA Nationals that begins pro qualifying Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Matco Tools, involved as a major sponsor in NHRA drag racing since 1995 and a longtime sponsor of DSR, will continue as primary sponsor on the team. 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 we felt we couldn't pass it up,” said Schumacher. “We at DSR have had a longtime association with Matco Tools and to be able to continue our relationship through a primary sponsorship 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 2003-07. 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 in the past, as tuner on two nitro 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, Calif.). Brown also has seven No. 1 qualifying awards and has earned top speed of the meet honors at 13 races this season. Brown clocked the fastest run at 1,000-foot racing at 319.75 mph at Bristol, Tenn., in May and holds the NHRA national speed mark at 319.60 mph. He has 23 career 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 (Las) Vegas.”

Matco Tools is a manufacturer and distributor of quality professional automotive equipment, tools and toolboxes. The Matco Tools product line now numbers more than 13,000 items. Matco Tools is a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and key player in several industries, including tools, environmental and industrial process and control markets. Matco began operation in 1946 and, since 1979 has sold products directly to professional automotive technicians, enthusiasts, and those who value quality tools through a network of independent franchised mobile distributors. Matco franchisees are easily recognized in their white trucks bearing the familiar Matco logo. Today, Matco distributors operate in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Don Schumacher Racing now consists of seven professional NHRA teams: The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by six-time world champion Tony Schumacher; the FRAM Tough Guard dragster of Cory McClenathan, and the Matco Tools Dragster of Antron Brown. The Funny Car teams are the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by Ron Capps, the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, and the shelor.com Dodge driven by NHRA rookie Matt Hagan. Matt Smith rides the Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle for DSR. Since 1998, Don Schumacher Racing teams have won 135 national events in 257 final rounds, and seven world championships.