Johnson Clinches Countdown Berth, Advances to Quarters at Sonoma
NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson exited in the quarterfinals of eliminations at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals on Sunday, July 26, but the Team Mopar(R) driver still had good reason to celebrate his visit to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Johnson sealed his spot in the NHRA's Countdown to 1 six-race playoff by qualifying third for the event.
Johnson seized his third-straight berth in the Countdown in the three years since the NHRA adopted the playoff format. The top 10 drivers in the Pro Stock point standings qualify for the Countdown playoff, which begins at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals on September 17–20. Johnson is currently fifth in the standings.
Johnson faced off with Vinnie Deceglie, who also utilizes a Mopar HEMI(R) engine supplied by J&J Racing, in the opening round at Sonoma. A.J. came out on top with a pass of 6.577/209.85 to Deceglie's 6.624/208.42. Johnson fell in the quarterfinals to Pro Stock point leader Jeg Coughlin, recording a run of 6.606/209.65 in his Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T to Coughlin's winning 6.592/209.59 mark.
Young Mopar-powered Pro Stocker Rickie Jones had another strong weekend, advancing to the semifinals before falling to Greg Anderson. Jones is ninth in the standings and within the cutoff mark with only three events left before the Countdown playoff begins.
Mopar power also proved its mettle in the Sportsman ranks, as Larry Gilley drove his Dodge Dart to victory in the Stock Eliminator class. Next up is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 13–16 at Brainerd, Minn. For more information on the NHRA, visit http://www.nhra.com.