TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. EXCITED TO DRIVE MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR IN INAUGURAL CAROLINAS NATIONALS COMPETITION

CHARLOTTE , N.C. – Tommy Johnson, Jr., driver of the Kenny Bernstein-owned Monster Energy Funny Car is looking forward to competing at the Carolinas Nationals Sept. 12-14.

As new as the zMAX Dragway@Concord is, Johnson Jr. has already been out-trumped by his father to be first in the family down the “Bellagio of drag strips.”

“My father raced when I was a child and it was because of his involvement in drag racing that I inherited my passion for the sport,” said Johnson Jr. “My dad lives in Charlotte so a couple of weeks ago when the strip was opened for locals to have a chance to test it out with their own cars, he drove his tricked out Camaro down the strip and then sent me pictures!

“So he got to say he was first in the family to race on the surface and had nothing but great things to say about the facility.

“I’m looking forward to racing there for several reasons. The caliber of the Bruton Smith facilities in my opinion is top notch, but I think this will be the ultimate drag strip. It’s a treat to get to race at such nice facilities.

“Also having my family in Charlotte will be fun. We have friends in the NASCAR world and my brother-in-law works for a NASCAR team so we will get to have some quality time to spend with the m.

“It will also give us a chance to give our NASCAR friends and fans in the southeast a taste of drag racing. This is huge for our sport and I’m happy to be able to be a part of the inaugural event.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p. m. with a second session at 6:30 p. m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3:30 p. m. , with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a. m.