​If there’s one lesson Arianna Brown, the 21-year-old daughter of past Top Fuel champion Antron Brown, learned by watching her famous father’s career, it’s the importance of forging her own path. Recently, she started heading in that direction by completing the Super Comp course at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School.

The second-generation drag racer got her start while racing in the NHRA’s Junior Dragster program. Despite taking a break during her late teens to focus on school and pursue a competitive dance career, her passion for drag racing never waned.

Brown joins her brother, Anson, as the second of Brown’s children to complete Hawley’s Super Comp curriculum. 

“I’ve always had an interest in racing, but I know I can’t dance forever, so I chased that first,” Brown said. 

Brown had a few reservations at first regarding her inexperience as a “big car” driver.

“I thought it would be all professionals and experienced racers, but I was happy to see it was a good mix of people – some who hadn’t touched a car ever before and some refreshing their skills, and it made me feel comfortable,” Brown admitted. “Nobody realized I was Antron Brown’s daughter at first, too, which was pretty funny.”

Brown said the key to her success was her preparation as a drag racer, albeit racing half-scale Junior Dragsters, as well as Hawley’s demeanor as a teacher. His approach to preparing her for the next chapter, she said, went a long way toward her success. And that largely is because Hawley has been graduating future drag racers since he started the school in 1985 following back-to-back NHRA Funny Car championships in 1982 and 1983. 

Brown’s only regret is that she waited so long for the experience.

“He made sure we knew everything before we got in the car so that we would be safe,” Brown said. “[The first run] reminded me of how I feel with my dad. It was a light switch moment for me… this is where I want to be, so why didn’t I do this sooner?” 

Hawley’s Drag Racing School has become an important step for those competitors seeking to increase drag racing wisdom and strategy. The courses are limited and sell out quickly. To reserve a class, one can call 866-480-7223, or when looking for available dates, those can be found at www.FrankHawley.com.

Being a dancer, she related the experience to a dance routine. Follow the steps provided, which Hawley did, and she would ace the assignment. She regularly topped 160 miles per hour in her runs. She was a natural, much like Antron won when he attended Hawley’s Top Alcohol Dragster driving class. 

“I remember many years ago when Antron came and drove our Alcohol dragster,” Hawley said. “He was amazingly good, considering he had never raced those cars.”

Hawley believes his lessons were passed on before the Brown’s son and daughter attended, pointing out they performed above and beyond expectations. Anson put his lessons to good use, winning his first two races. Hawley expects more of the same when it comes to her.

“I can’t wait to see how Arianna will do,” Hawley said. “I wish her well.”

Brown said she plans to put the lessons to good use when given the opportunity. Those lessons, she said, went well beyond leaving the starting line and lifting at the finish line.

“I especially enjoyed Frank’s lectures on the psychology of success,” said Brown, who aspires to own a dance studio outside of drag racing. “I can apply those lessons and insights to all areas of my life, including dance.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to die happy if I don’t try Top Fuel at least once. But, for now, I’m planning to do some bracket races around the Indy area and in the Midwest with my brother.”