TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. HOPES TO CHANGE HIS KARMA AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY

ATLANTA – Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. is approaching the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals April 25-27 with a positive attitude, hoping that a mental adjustment will help him turn the corner at a track that’s been too tough to tame.

“Atlanta Dragway has been a thorn in my side for the majority of my career,” said Johnson. “I used to not look forward to going to Atlanta but I’ve changed my attitude. Now I look forward to going there because I’m determined to beat that place one of these days.

“It’s been a struggle there for me. For whatever reasons certain tracks are good to you and certain tracks aren’t. I got runner-up there early in my sportsman career in 1985 and it’s not been so good since then. I know what final rounds are like there so I’d like to get back to one.”

Johnson made a semi-final round appearance earlier this year in Phoenix and would like to make a final round appearance sooner rather than later.

“I set goals before the season started,” said Johnson. “I’d like to get a win for Kenny (Bernstein, team owner) and for Monster this season, the sooner the better. It’s a given that everyone wants to win, but Kenny and the Monster team were awful close to winning more than once last year. I’d like to help them get over the hump. If we can get that first win, I think others will follow.

“ Atlanta would be a great place to start. I’m looking forward to beating that place one of these days. It would be a big win if we could accomplish that goal.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying is scheduled to begin Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6:30 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations set to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.