Tommy Johnson Jr.’s first full-time season in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series since 2008 proved to be a rousing success in 2014. Jumping back into the highly competitive Funny Car ranks, Johnson finished third in points and is ready for more in 2015.
After making steady progress and noticeable improvement throughout a strong 2014 season, Johnson could be ready to take the next step in the world championship hunt.
Johnson qualified second to open the 2015 campaign in Pomona and knows that his 10,000-horsepower Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T is capable of performing at championship level. His next chance to prove that comes this weekend at the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
“We had a really good weekend in Pomona,” Johnson said. “The results didn’t show how great of a weekend it was, but we were very encouraged as far as momentum and gaining confidence on how our car is going to perform this year. We made some really good runs, and that is just a sign of what’s to come. Our Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger is going to be one of the cars to beat if we just keep this up.”
The top drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock will head to Phoenix for the second of 24 races on the 2015 circuit. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car), and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will again be televised nationally on ESPN2.
As Johnson got more comfortable in his Charger, impressive results followed, including a victory in Bristol that was his first visit to the winner’s circle since 2007. He performed well in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, taking a runner-up finish in Reading and advancing to two semifinals, finishing only behind reigning champion Matt Hagan and Funny Car icon John Force.
Those performances have carried over to 2015, where Johnson and his talented team, led by crew chief John Collins, are locked in. He lost a thrilling second-round matchup against Robert Hight in Pomona, running as quick as 4.018 during the weekend, which has Johnson fully confident that his team is on the cusp of a winning combination.
“Nothing will change for us going into Phoenix,” Johnson said. “We’re just very pleased with everything, and we can’t wait to get there so that we can build on what we did last week in Pomona and then go from there.”
The CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals also has added meaning for Johnson because his sponsor, Make-A-Wish, is headquartered in Phoenix. By way of that sponsorship, Johnson has grown extremely close to the association, which would make a strong Phoenix performance that much sweeter.
“We’ve made so many friends in the past year being associated with this great foundation thanks to our sponsor Terry Chandler,” Johnson said. “It’s really something to have Make-A-Wish and all of the Wish Kids cheering on their car.”
Johnson will have to knock off a strong list of stars in Funny Car, including DeJoria, who is going after her second straight win at the track. Reigning Funny Car world champion Hagan is off to a quick start after winning in Pomona, and Force has eight wins at the track. Other top standouts include three-time Phoenix winners Jack Beckman and Ron Capps, two-time winner Del Worsham, and Funny Car’s winningest woman, Courtney Force.
Johnson has had success in Phoenix, winning in 2006, and the 10-time winner hopes to add to his career collection at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
“I would love nothing more than to have a great performance and hopefully a win in front of our friends from Make-A-Wish headquarters and the Wish Kids who will be out there with us that weekend,” said Johnson, whose 10 career victories are split at eight in Funny Car and two in Top Fuel.
One year ago, Brown claimed victory in Phoenix, the first of six wins for the season in Top Fuel. That was the most for the class in 2014, but it was Tony Schumacher, who has four Phoenix wins, who claimed the world championship. Three-time winner Larry Dixon, 2001 winner Doug Kalitta, Spencer Massey, rookie of the year Richie Crampton, Pomona winner and 2013 world champ Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, and second-place points finisher J.R. Todd also figure to be in the running in Phoenix.
Reigning Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders-Stevens won in Phoenix in 2013 and will be looking to open her championship defense in style. Jason Line, a two-time world champ and the 2012 Phoenix winner, also won in Pomona to kick off 2015 and is among the top challengers in Pro Stock along with four-time world champ Greg Anderson, Gray Motorsports teammates Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray, 2014 Phoenix winner Allen Johnson, and last season’s runner-up, V. Gaines.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds and enjoy cherished face time with and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Feb. 20, with sessions at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.
