TOMMY JOHNSON FEELS MONSTER ENERGY TEAM IN GOOD POSITION TO GO ROUNDS IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. is always excited to race at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, calling the Summit Racing.com Nationals April 11-13 one of his favorite events of the year.
“I’ve won there in the past,” said Johnson, referring to his 2001 Funny Car victory. “It’s a fun race. For whatever reason, I seem to drive really well there. Maybe it’s because it’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere, but in my opinion, it’s probably the best track on the tour.
“Our Monster Energy team tested there already this year and had great success. I’m sure we’ll be looking back in our records to see what we ran there in testing. We anticipate the car should run really well. I have extremely high hopes.”
In addition to his 2001 victory, he was runner-up in the 2002 spring event, and runner-up in the 2006 fall event at The Strip. Ironically Johnson shared victory circle in 2001 with current car owner Kenny Bernstein who won in Top Fuel. Brandon Bernstein won in Alcohol Dragster that day, the first time in NHRA history that a father and son had won at the same event.
“One of our sponsors is Summit Racing, and we also have New York - New York on board for this event,” continued Johnson. “Besides digging really hard to get a victory for Monster Energy, we have additional incentive to bring home a ‘Wally’.”
The SummitRacing.com Nationals marks the fifth race of the season. The Monster Energy Funny Car made the final four in Phoenix in February, but the team is looking for a final round appearance.
“We’ve just been battling little things that all the teams seem to be fighting,” said Johnson. “I know Kenny has done well at this track through the years, so maybe a little of the Bernstein Las Vegas luck will smile on us this weekend.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m. with a second session at 4:30 p.m. There are two Saturday qualifying sessions scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations set to kick off at 11 a.m. Sunday.
