AB Motorsports has added veteran crew chief and program advisor John Medlen as a consultant for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, strengthening the team’s technical depth ahead of the new season. The organization is owned and driven by four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown.
Medlen will advise the AB Motorsports Top Fuel program, working alongside crew chief Brian Corradi and co-crew chief Brad Mason. His role will focus on strategic and technical support as the team targets sustained championship results.
The move brings more than three decades of nitro racing experience into the AB Motorsports camp. Medlen’s background spans hands-on tuning, leadership, and program development across multiple eras of professional drag racing.
“I am very, very excited to have John Medlen come aboard AB Motorsports,” Brown said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, and he will be a great addition to Brian Corradi, Brad Mason, and our entire team at AB Motorsports. John’s infectious personality, drive, and passion to win fit right in here, and his attention to detail is truly second to none.”
Medlen’s career traces back to the 1980s, where he began working in nitro racing during a period of rapid technical evolution. That foundation led to a long tenure with John Force Racing, where he became one of the most respected minds in the sport.
Over the years, Medlen has contributed to successful programs with drivers including Rudy Toepke, Don Prudhomme, Cruz Pedregon, and Paul Lee. More recently, he was part of Ron Capps’ championship-winning nitro Funny Car teams during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
That breadth of experience aligns with AB Motorsports’ current trajectory. The team has steadily invested in personnel and infrastructure to compete at the highest level of Top Fuel racing, emphasizing preparation, data, and consistency.
Medlen’s familiarity with key members of the AB Motorsports crew is expected to ease the transition. His prior working relationships with Corradi, Mason, and several team members provide continuity as the organization prepares for the demands of a full championship campaign.
“I’m very excited, encouraged, and optimistic. I’ve had the privilege to work with Brian and Brad previously,” Medlen said. “I’ve also worked with many of the crew guys, and even hired some of them who are on Antron’s team. I’m looking forward to a very fun and interesting season and complementing the team with my years of knowledge and tuning experience.”
For Brown, the addition represents another step in an ongoing effort to refine every aspect of his operation. The goal remains clear as the team looks toward a highly competitive Top Fuel field in 2026.
Brown’s pursuit of a fifth Top Fuel world championship begins March 5–8, when the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opens at the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida.
“I’m looking forward to a very fun and interesting season and complementing the team with my years of knowledge and tuning experience,” Medlen said.
