Antron Brown takes racing success beyond the track

Antron Brown knew from an early age that he liked to compete and to go fast.

Brown, a four-time Top Fuel dragster champion, visited World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, last weekend for the NHRA Midwest Nationals.

He reached the quarterfinals before elimination, but he was far from disappointed. In part, that was because he shared the importance of STEM education and work ethic with Scouts from throughout the region.

“David Steward and his son [David Steward II] got me involved with Scouting America to spread the word of STEM through Scouts,” Brown, a former Scout, said Saturday following a qualifying run.

Steward is founder and chair of World Wide Technology. After his firm secured naming rights to WWT Raceway, continued investment in the facility helped secure major NASCAR, IndyCar and drag racing events.

Race weeks at the facility have included a STEM focus for youth groups, including Scouts and Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation youths.

In March, WWT held its 11th annual STEM Student Forum. Some 175 students from 19 metropolitan-area high schools and one school in New York City worked with WWT mentors to develop technology-based solutions to improve supply-chain operations.

Brown said he is thrilled to collaborate with the Stewards in spreading the word about the importance of STEM knowledge.

“I want to show [young people] what opportunities are out there for them,” Brown said. “I want to get them exposed to things, especially with the STEM side of it.”

Eduardo Casas, Scouting America’s multicultural engagement director, called Brown “a great example of the values and qualities that exemplify Scouting” in an NHRA.com article about Brown’s July visit to the Scouting National Jamboree.

A first-place family

Brown’s grandfather established a septic tank service company, which his father and uncle later operated. Brown serviced cars as a child, began racing motorcycles at 6 and motocross at 12.

His father was also a drag strip racer, and Brown followed in his footsteps by running his first competitive drag race as a high school senior.

“I come from a hard-working family. I was taught you can have anything you want as long as you work for it,” Brown said.

“What separates those that are great from others is work ethic. Once I understood that, I took it to a new level. ‘I will and I can.’ That’s the positive force in my mind.”

Brown played sports while growing up with an older brother and cousins. They competed at everything, which “fueled my desire to be the best.”

Brown qualified for the 1995 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 meters and set a record in the 55 meters while attending Mercer Junior College.

Brown is the only driver in NHRA history to win races in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

An 82-time NHRA national event winner, Brown became the first Black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship when he captured the NHRA Top Fuel title in 2012.

Twelve years later, he broke historic ground again by capturing his first Top Fuel crown as a team owner, becoming the first Black championship-winning owner-driver.

Brown also launched the AB Motorsports Accelerate Program in 2023 for driver and career advancement.

Promoting prostate screening

Along with his racing success, Brown is dedicated to reducing deaths caused by prostate cancer.

It is the second-leading cause of cancer death among U.S. men, according to the American Cancer Society. Black men are nearly 70% more likely than White men to be diagnosed and twice as likely to die from the disease.

Brown serves as the founding Motorsports Ambassador for Prostate Cancer Connection, a Colorado-based nonprofit focused on education, awareness and support.

“Antron brings far more than visibility to PCC. He brings credibility, trust, and an authentic connection to the motorsports community,” said Kelly Fedorowich Beard, PCC founder and former executive director. “We believe his voice can help us reach men and their loved ones in places where conversations about prostate cancer don’t always happen.”

“Prostate cancer is very curable if it is caught at the early stages. We have fans at racetracks for screening,” Brown said.

“I’ve lost close friends and family members who found out too late, so this is personal for me,” Brown said. “I want to use my platform to spread awareness and encourage men to get tested and talk with their doctors. If sharing this message helps one person take that step sooner, then we’re making a difference.”

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