Antron Brown enters the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with the same relentless drive that has already earned him four championships, but this year, his approach is anything but routine. With Mark Oswald retired, his team underwent a significant restructuring during the offseason, solidifying a new operational hierarchy under crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Brad Mason.

The transition wasn’t without its challenges—Brown’s brand-new car, with just 11 runs on the odometer, was damaged after a tire let go at the PRO Superstar Shootout in early February, forcing the team to execute a last-minute swap to their backup chassis. That backup car not only responded but put Brown at the top of the qualifying sheet with a career best run — a nod to the team’s preparation and a moment that Brown described as an “arm shot,” proving they could handle significant adversity.

The takeaway from last season and the early 2025 efforts are clear: no more conservative racing. Brown’s team has historically been strategic, playing the long game on Sundays, but in 2025, they’re bringing their best performance from the start of the weekend. “We need to bring out our secret weapon in qualifying,” Brown says, emphasizing the importance of qualifying higher up on the ladder while carrying on the team’s proven, methodical race-day execution.

Brown knows that defending his title will require more than just consistency, as the competition is deeper than ever. Brittany Force has found her stride, Shawn Reed has sharpened his program, and the CAPCO and Kalitta Motorsports cars remain a constant threat. Even teams that weren’t in the championship conversation last year—like Josh Hart and Ida Zetterström—are now legitimate contenders. Brown recognizes the growing parity in the class and acknowledges that performance separation is shrinking. To maintain an edge, his team is refining both the car’s setup and Brown his reaction-time execution. “We’re working on the car to react better, and I’m dialing in my own consistency,” Brown explains.

Adding to the intensity of new season is the introduction of the NHRA’s first-ever regular-season championship, carrying a $150,000 bonus. Brown pushed the NHRA for this incentive, which rewards performance across the 14-race stretch before the Countdown to the Championship begins. With the season opener at the Gatornationals—a race that also features the Wright Trailers All-Star Callout, which he won a season ago—Brown understands that coming out strong is key. “No more throwaway races,” he insists. “People aren’t testing during races anymore—there’s too much at stake.”

With a newly rebuilt primary car, a structured team, and a commitment to maximizing every opportunity, Antron Brown is well-positioned for another championship run. And in a season with unprecedented competition and financial stakes, execution will be the difference between defending the crown or watching someone else take it, and the very personally driven Brown has no intention of letting that happen.