Allen Johnson
Heading to Norwalk our Mopar® Dodge Avenger team had an engine that we rubbed on and rubbed on to get ready for the K&N Challenge. It showed off a little bit the first run during qualifying, as we had top speed, but then it broke when I pushed in the clutch. We had to go to our backup engine, which we had run the last three races. That was a little bit disappointing as things didn’t go to plan, then we shook second round in the Challenge and got knocked out. I think we had more for them than we showed, but that’s how it goes.
Come the main event on Sunday at Norwalk, we had a lot of support from folks from Mopar and Chrysler’s Auburn Hills, Mich. headquarters who made the drive to Ohio. Their support meant a lot to us, and to be able to go to the final round and have the chance to play spoiler to Greg Anderson, it was nice to do that while the Mopar folks were in attendance. We settled for a runner-up finish, but it was a good outing overall.
It was nice to have some R&R time after Norwalk, which was the last of four consecutive races. Pam and I had to get ready for a Fourth of July weekend party we were having at my house as soon as we got back home. We had about 50 people over to the house, with a band, catered food and a fireworks show.
We made it a two-day party, both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday we did the partyin' deal, with fireworks and the band, called Skin Tight. That lasted until about 2:30 a.m. Then Sunday was a bit more low-key, as we had several families and their kids over to hang out, go in the pool and ride motorcycles. We had a busy weekend, but then Monday, of course, you have to clean up—which I did! It was a neat Fourth of July, though, maybe the first annual at my house.
The boys at the J&J Racing shop enjoyed a three-day weekend as well. They refreshed our top-three engines, so we’ll be ready to go during the Western Swing, beginning this weekend in Seattle. Pacific Raceways is one of my favorite tracks, with good reason. I’ve been to three finals there in the last four years, with a “W” in ’06. My Mopar Dodge Avenger/J&J Racing team has three runner-up finishes so far this year, so we’re due for a win. We’ll try to get the job done this weekend!