Brown recognized by Super Bowl fans in Indianapolis, ready to pilot Matco Tools dragster in season opener

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Antron Brown is amped for the start of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season in Pomona, Calif., thanks to the Super Bowl fans in Indianapolis.

"We went to downtown Indianapolis on Thursday to check out the NFL Experience and I was recognized by the fans down there," Brown said. "That gets you amped up to start racing again."

Brown thought he was going to be incognito but instead some fans recognized him and started giving him well wishes for the NHRA Winternationals that will kick off Thursday in Southern California.

"With all of the celebrities and football players roaming around down there, I didn't really expect to be noticed," said Brown.

"People were coming up to me and telling me that they will keep an eye on me this season and to tear it up in Pomona. That was pretty cool for me and it says a lot for the sport of NHRA Drag Racing."

Brown and the Matco Tools team have had strong starts in Pomona and he hopes to continue that streak.

"Years past, the Matco Tools dragster has always had good starts and been the car to beat," said the 35-year-old. "I'd like to go to Pomona and start the season off right and get some momentum going."

That momentum has already started for Brown. He notched a Winternationals victory earlier this year - in the RC boat category. After a successful pre-season test session in his Top Fuel dragster in South Florida, he stuck around to relax and head to Tampa to race his RC boats in their version of the Winternationals.

"We had a great week of testing down in South Florida," said Brown. "We just kept getting stronger as the testing went on. Then I went RC boat racing and got a win with one of my boats. That has me relaxed and ready to go for Pomona."

Brown also celebrated his 11th wedding anniversary with wife Billie Jo on Friday.

The Winternationals kicks off at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on Thursday with one qualifying session followed by one more on Friday - scheduled for 2 p.m. - before the last two sessions are held Saturday afternoon leading to Sunday's championship eliminations. (See full schedule below.)