Johnson's finals streak snapped at Sonoma; Gray goes to Semis
Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T driver Allen Johnson's quest to become the fourth driver in NHRA POWERade Pro Stock history to advance to the finals at all three stops on the NHRA's Western Swing ended early at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals on Sunday, July 27. Johnson fell to fellow Mopar-powered driver Johnny Gray in the quarterfinals round at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
Johnson was red hot following runner-up finishes in the first two legs of the Western Swing -- Mopar Mile-High Nationals in Denver and Schucks's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals in Seattle. The Greeneville, Tenn. native knocked out Jim Yates in the opening round and drew HEMI-fueled pilot Gray in the second stanza. Johnson had a slight advantage off the starting line but his Dodge Stratus R/T dove sharply to the right shortly thereafter, pulling him out of the groove and out of the running for a third straight finals berth.
Gray's strong weekend ended in the semis with a loss to event winner Dave Connolly. V. Gaines steered his Kendall Oil Dodge Stratus R/T to a quarterfinals berth, with Mopar-powered drivers Vinnie Deceglie, Justin Humphreys and Larry Morgan exiting in the first round.
Johnson remains fifth in the NHRA Pro Stock standings. Gaines holds the seventh spot. The Team Mopar NHRA Pro Stockers will head next to the 27th annual NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 8-10. For more info on the NHRA, visit nhra.com.