Thu, 20 Aug 2026, 11:51 AM AB Motorsports Preview

Courtesy of Allison McCormick, ABM Communications

NHRA Brainerd Nationals
Aug. 21-23
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minn.

BY THE NUMBERS:
· Six-time event champion
• Top Fuel (2011, 2023)
• Pro Stock Motorcycle (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006)
· Four-time runner-up (2012, 2016-2018)
· Four-time No. 1 qualifier
• Top Fuel (2014, 2016)
• Pro Stock Motorcycle (2001, 2004)

TAKE NOTE:
• Has been victorious in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories in Brainerd
• Became the first driver to make a sub-3.7-second run (3.680) during the 2015 event
• AB Motorsports’ partner FMP and its FVP brand are headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota
• Thanks to his semifinal finish in Seattle, Brown earned a spot in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday

Last Event (NHRA Northwest Nationals):
Qualified seventh; Semifinal finish (defeated Tony Schumacher in E1; defeated Billy Torrence in E2; defeated by Doug Kalitta in E3)

2025 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified seventh; First round exit (defeated by Shawn Langdon in E1)

FAN EVENTS:
• Saturday, August 21st
• 9 a.m. - Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Autograph Session at the Mission Foods display in Midway

WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, August 21st
• 4 p.m. - Top Fuel Qualifying Session Q1
• 6:30 p.m. - Top Fuel Qualifying Session Q2

Saturday, August 22nd
• 12 p.m. - Top Fuel Qualifying Session Q3 & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Round 1
• 2:30 p.m. - Top Fuel Qualifying Session Q4 & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Finals

Sunday, August 23rd
• 11 a.m. - Round 1
• 1:15 p.m. - Round 2
• 2:55 p.m. - Semifinals
• 4:20 p.m. - Finals

TV Coverage on FS1
Friday, August 21st
• 7 p.m. - Qualifying show

Saturday, August 22nd
• 10:30 p.m. - Qualifying show #2

Sunday, August 23rd
• 6:30 p.m. - Finals show

*all times in CST

FROM ANTRON BROWN Driver of the Matco Tools Eagle Experience Top Fuel Dragster

“We're in Brainerd, Minnesota, for the second-to-last race before the Countdown to the Championship starts, and our AB Motorsports Matco Tools team is on mean. We're really energized about this weekend. Brainerd always gets us geared up, pumped up, and motivated. We always do well here. So we're looking for another good outing to really get us supercharged before this countdown starts, and I'm just looking forward to it.

“We're right in the middle of the thick of things. The car is getting better and better. The team is gelling, and I know what it's like to be on a championship team. I feel that we have what it takes to compete. Those Kalitta cars are still out front going really mean, but we’ve got to neutralize them. We got to come out here and do what we do. Keep our heads down, do the work, and look out because the Matco Tools, FVP, Hangsterfer’s, Scouting America, World Wide Technology Car, we're coming for you.

“Also, we’re here in our partner FVP's backyard. This is their hometown. So we toured the town of Minneapolis and spent some time with them.”

Watch Antron Brown’s full pre-race report here.

PRE-RACE REPORT

TAKE NOTE:
• Sampey enters the event second in the Central Region Standings and tenth in the National Standings
• AB Motorsports’ partner FMP and its FVP brand are headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota
• Sampey will continue her Mission Foods ambassador duties throughout the event, which include handing out the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins at the top end

Last Event (NHRA Norwalk Nationals):
Qualified eighth; First round exit (defeated by Jamie Noonan in E1)

2025 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 16th; First round exit (defeated by Matt Cummings in E1)

FAN EVENTS:
• Saturday, August 22: 9 a.m. - Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Autograph Session at the Mission Foods display in Midway

WATCH:
Stream Live on NHRA.TV
Friday, August 21st
• 12 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 1
• 2 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 2

Saturday, August 22nd
• 10:30 a.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Qualifying Session 3
• 4 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Eliminations Round 1

Sunday, August 23rd
• 12:25 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Eliminations Round 2
• 2 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Semifinals
• 3:45 p.m. - Top Alcohol Dragster Finals

*all times in CST

FROM ANGELLE SAMPEY Driver of the Hangsterfer’s FVP Mission Foods A/Fuel Dragster

“I came in a couple of days early [to Minneapolis, Minnesota] before the Brainerd International Raceway that I am so excited to go to because I have never won in Brainerd. So every time I come here to the Brainerd race, I'm looking to get that Wally, and especially this year because I want a Diamond Wally really, really bad. So what an awesome weekend it would be if I could get my first Wally at Brainerd, and it would be a Diamond Wally finally.

“I'm here a little bit early because I'm going to spend some time with my friends at FVP. FVP is one of my sponsors, and they’re right here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We always have a lot of fun with them every year.

“I'm looking forward to this weekend because I know that with my Hangsterfer’s A/Fuel Dragster, with my Michalek Brothers race team behind me and AB Motorsports supporting us, I know we can do it. It's right there around the corner for us. We're just on the cusp of that victory for the 2026 season. We only have six more chances to do it. So, fingers crossed, send us all the good wishes and prayers. We have to get to this winner’s circle soon.”

Watch Angelle Sampey’s full pre-race report here.