Qualified for the NHRA Countdown, Team Mopar® Driver Allen Johnson Remains Hungry for a Win at Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals
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Center Line, Mich. — Allen Johnson, driver of the Mopar®/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock car, clinched an early berth in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs with his semifinals finish last weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The Team Mopar driver’s strategy hasn’t changed in his quest for his first 2008 win heading into the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals. The event is scheduled for August 14–17 at Maple Grove (Pa.) Raceway.
Johnson’s approach to the two final pre-Countdown events – this weekend’s race and Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day – will remain the same as it has all year. The six-race Countdown playoffs begin at the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals on Sept. 11.
“We’re not going to change our strategy much,” said Johnson. “We’re going to concentrate on qualifying in the top four and bringing home a win at these final two races before the Countdown playoffs start, the same thing we’ve been trying to do all season. We’re going for the throat.”
Added Johnson, “Qualifying early for the Countdown does take a little pressure off and lets us really go for it. We’ve been making some great horsepower with our Mopar HEMI® engine, the J&J crew has been awesome, and I really feel like I’m back on track behind the wheel. We’re not looking to go to the semis, we’re focused on making it to the finals at these last two events and taking a shot at some wins.”
The Pennsylvania stop is another of Johnson’s favorites on the NHRA circuit.
“We’ve had a pretty good track record there and I’ve been to the semis a few times, I think,” he recalled. “I really like the track. It’s well prepped, the facility is in a nice country setting and it’s nice and cool there at night. If all goes well, our Mopar/J&J team will be enjoying a nice cool night in the winner’s circle come Sunday.”
Johnson will play ball to support DRAW at NHRA Softball classic
Prior to the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals, Johnson will trade in his racing shoes for cleats when he takes the field in the inaugural NHRA Softball Classic, scheduled for Aug. 14 at the Reading Phillies’ FirstEnergy Stadium. Top stars from the NHRA POWERade Series will take part in the softball match. Proceeds [ticket sales] will benefit DRAW, an organization that provides emotional and financial support to injured drag racers and their families.
Johnson will display his talents on the diamond with “Scelzi’s Superchargers.” The eponymous squad is coached by Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Gary Scelzi and also includes Team Mopar driver Ron Capps on its roster. The Team Mopar trio and their teammates will face off with “Brown’s Burn Down Bombers,” captained by Top Fuel driver Antron Brown.
“The other team got the talent, we got all the drinkers and geeks,” said Johnson, almost as quick with a humorous quip as he is on the quarter-mile. “We’ll do okay. We had two practices at Brainerd and we looked to have everything set.”
Johnson, a varsity athlete at South Greene (Tenn.) High School, played baseball, football, basketball and track and fancies himself the ultimate utility man. Able to play a number of positions, he thinks his “skipper” will slot him in at third base.
So what does Johnson think of the coaching acumen of Scelzi, a man regularly referred to as the “Wild Thing?”
“I have all the faith in the world that our coach will bring us to victory,” said Johnson, before breaking up in laughter.
Johnson relishes the opportunity to have a good time with his NHRA friends while helping to support DRAW.
“It’s always great to support our fellow racers,” said Johnson. “There are always drivers and the families of drivers out there that need a helping hand. All the racers out here bond together as friends to support each other and these types of charities. It’s great to be able to help out and also have a little fun while doing it.”
Game day will begin with an autograph session from 5 to 6 p.m., with the first pitch at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through the Reading Phillies ticket office. Visit readingphillies.com or call (610) 375-8469.
Johnson stats
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Center Line, Mich. — Allen Johnson, driver of the Mopar®/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock car, clinched an early berth in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs with his semifinals finish last weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The Team Mopar driver’s strategy hasn’t changed in his quest for his first 2008 win heading into the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals. The event is scheduled for August 14–17 at Maple Grove (Pa.) Raceway.
Johnson’s approach to the two final pre-Countdown events – this weekend’s race and Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day – will remain the same as it has all year. The six-race Countdown playoffs begin at the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals on Sept. 11.
“We’re not going to change our strategy much,” said Johnson. “We’re going to concentrate on qualifying in the top four and bringing home a win at these final two races before the Countdown playoffs start, the same thing we’ve been trying to do all season. We’re going for the throat.”
Added Johnson, “Qualifying early for the Countdown does take a little pressure off and lets us really go for it. We’ve been making some great horsepower with our Mopar HEMI® engine, the J&J crew has been awesome, and I really feel like I’m back on track behind the wheel. We’re not looking to go to the semis, we’re focused on making it to the finals at these last two events and taking a shot at some wins.”
The Pennsylvania stop is another of Johnson’s favorites on the NHRA circuit.
“We’ve had a pretty good track record there and I’ve been to the semis a few times, I think,” he recalled. “I really like the track. It’s well prepped, the facility is in a nice country setting and it’s nice and cool there at night. If all goes well, our Mopar/J&J team will be enjoying a nice cool night in the winner’s circle come Sunday.”
Johnson will play ball to support DRAW at NHRA Softball classic
Prior to the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals, Johnson will trade in his racing shoes for cleats when he takes the field in the inaugural NHRA Softball Classic, scheduled for Aug. 14 at the Reading Phillies’ FirstEnergy Stadium. Top stars from the NHRA POWERade Series will take part in the softball match. Proceeds [ticket sales] will benefit DRAW, an organization that provides emotional and financial support to injured drag racers and their families.
Johnson will display his talents on the diamond with “Scelzi’s Superchargers.” The eponymous squad is coached by Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Gary Scelzi and also includes Team Mopar driver Ron Capps on its roster. The Team Mopar trio and their teammates will face off with “Brown’s Burn Down Bombers,” captained by Top Fuel driver Antron Brown.
“The other team got the talent, we got all the drinkers and geeks,” said Johnson, almost as quick with a humorous quip as he is on the quarter-mile. “We’ll do okay. We had two practices at Brainerd and we looked to have everything set.”
Johnson, a varsity athlete at South Greene (Tenn.) High School, played baseball, football, basketball and track and fancies himself the ultimate utility man. Able to play a number of positions, he thinks his “skipper” will slot him in at third base.
So what does Johnson think of the coaching acumen of Scelzi, a man regularly referred to as the “Wild Thing?”
“I have all the faith in the world that our coach will bring us to victory,” said Johnson, before breaking up in laughter.
Johnson relishes the opportunity to have a good time with his NHRA friends while helping to support DRAW.
“It’s always great to support our fellow racers,” said Johnson. “There are always drivers and the families of drivers out there that need a helping hand. All the racers out here bond together as friends to support each other and these types of charities. It’s great to be able to help out and also have a little fun while doing it.”
Game day will begin with an autograph session from 5 to 6 p.m., with the first pitch at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through the Reading Phillies ticket office. Visit readingphillies.com or call (610) 375-8469.
Johnson stats
- Clinched a berth for the NHRA Countdown to 1 six-race playoff with a semifinals appearance last weekend at the NHRA Brainerd event
- One of just five NHRA Pro Stock drivers to have already clinched a spot in the 10-car Countdown playoff field
- Posted two straight runner-up finishes at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals and Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals in July
- Currently fifth in the NHRA Pro Stock standings
- Banked $50,000 with the K&N Horsepower Challenge bonus event win [June 2008 NHRA stop in Norwalk, Ohio] – recorded a perfect .000 reaction time to beat Greg Anderson
- Currently, Johnson’s J&J Racing team is third in the points standings of the NHRA Pro Stock Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship
- Qualified in the top half of the field in 14 of 16 2008 NHRA POWERade events to date
- Has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in 13 of 16 2008 NHRA POWERade events to date
- Has appeared in 14 career final rounds
- Claimed his fourth career No. 1 qualifier award at the 2008 Phoenix event
- Has a 19-16 round win record through 16 events
- Finished fourth in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
- One of only four Pro Stock drivers to qualify in the inaugural NHRA Countdown to 1 title playoff
- Captured his 5th-career win at the 28th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in July 2007
- Posted two runner-up finishes in 2007
