“This Matco team and its hot rod got it done when it counted,” said Brown, who recorded his first Top Fuel victory at BIR where he had won four times on a Pro Stock Motorcycle. “I like coming to Brainerd, it’s a relaxing place to race and obviously, I’ve had success here.”

The win propelled the 35-year-old New Jersey native into second place of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel standings with one race left in the regular season before the start of the Countdown to the championship (the top-10 drivers at the conclusion of the Labor Day weekend U.S Nationals in Indianapolis make the playoffs).

“The closer to the top spot at the beginning of the Countdown, the better your chances are for a championship,” explained Brown. “The top driver gets a 30-point cushion and we’d like to keep our deficit at that number by finishing in second place after the Indy race.”

Worsham leads Brown, Massey, Schumacher and Larry Dixon in the standings heading into the Indianapolis race.

Chris Karamesines had a new sponsor (Lucas Oil) and a new look at Brainerd. He made the field but was eliminated in the first round by Larry Dixon.

Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas with his parents Charlotte and Forrest