Johnson Looks for Boost in Standings at Brainerd as Countdown Playoffs Near
Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson clinched his berth in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs at the previous NHRA event in Sonoma, Calif. Now, the Mopar HEMI®-powered NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock star, with his spot secure, can focus on going rounds and improving his Countdown "seeding" at each of the three events remaining prior to the playoffs. The first event is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, scheduled for Aug. 13–16 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn.
The Countdown to 1 six-race playoffs will begin in September at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, N.C. The top 10 drivers in the Pro Stock standings qualify for the Countdown. The points will reset, with the points leader assuming a 30-point lead over the second-place driver, a 40-point lead over the third-place driver, and so on in 10-point increments for each of the remaining drivers in the top 10. Johnson is currently fifth in points, 60 markers out of the fourth spot.
"I'd like to overtake that fourth spot," said Johnson. "We almost had it done after Seattle and then we gave two rounds back at Sonoma. Now we're three rounds out of fourth. But we still have 12 rounds of racing before the Countdown begins, so I feel like we can still do it. We just have to have at least one more really good race and go to the finals or win, and then we can do it. I'd love to have the fourth spot."
The Greeneville, Tenn., native has captured two wins thus far in 2009, including a victory in his sponsor's headline event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. Johnson has now qualified for the Countdown playoffs in each of the first three years since the NHRA adopted the playoff format.
One hour of qualifying coverage from the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will air on Saturday, Aug. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, Aug. 16 beginning at 10 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more information on the NHRA, log on to http://www.nhra.com.