Toyota NHRA Houston Preview

DEJORIA RETURNS HOME TO TEXAS ON A ROLL – Alexis DeJoria arrives back in her home-state of Texas after advancing to her third final round of the season in Charlotte.  DeJoria, who calls Austin home, is currently tied with Robert Hight for the most Funny Car wins this season with two (Phoenix and Las Vegas) and sits solidly in third-place.  She also became the first woman in Funny Car history to run a sub-four-second pass (3.997) at the season-opening Winternationals.

BROWN LOOKS TO EXTEND WIN STREAK IN HOUSTON – Fresh off his second triumph of the season at the Charlotte 4-Wide, Antron Brown will be looking to keep that win streak alive at Royal Purple Raceway this weekend.  With two victories in the season’s first five races, Brown has already secured his sixth multi-win season since entering the Top Fuel ranks in 2008.  Since 2009, Brown is the winningest driver in NHRA Nitro racing with 25 victories – six more than the closest Top Fuel driver in that time period.

In addition to his two victories this season, he also has advanced to a third final and has gone to the semi-finals or beyond in four of five races.  Brown has closed to within 25 points of the series point-lead.  The 2012 World Champion has qualified fifth or better in every event this season with an average starting position of third.

LANGDON, AL-ANABI BACK ON TRACK – After failing to go beyond the second round in the season’s first four races, defending Top Fuel World Champion Shawn Langdon appeared to get back on track in Charlotte.  Langdon was the number one qualifier and earned nine of a possible 12 points in qualifying.  He then advanced to Sunday’s final before losing on a hole-shot to Antron Brown.