Johnson Advances to Semis at NHRA Finals, Takes Fourth in Pro Stock Standings
Mopar® Dodge Avenger NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson advanced to the semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 13 in the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, moving up to fourth in the final NHRA Pro Stock standings and tying his best career finish in points.
Johnson ended the year with one victory, three runner-up finishes, three No. 1 Qualifier awards and a 28-21 round win record. The Team Mopar veteran finished in the top 10 in the standings for the ninth time in his career.
"It was a strong ending to the year, with two finals and a semis appearance in the last three races," said Johnson, who completed his 16th year behind the wheel of a Mopar-powered Dodge Pro Stock car.
Johnson, the No. 9 qualifier, dodged a bullet in the first round in a Mopar vs. Mopar fight with rookie sensation and No. 8 starter Vincent Nobile, who competes with Mopar HEMI® engines supplied by Johnson’s J&J Racing team. Johnson shook the tires and slowed shortly after launching to record a 12.493-second elapsed time at 71.35 mph and watched Nobile cross the line first, but the win light went to Johnson as Nobile left the starting line too soon, losing on a red-light foul.
Johnson was much stronger in his quarterfinals duel with No. 1 Qualifier Mike Edwards, posting a 6.603/210.57 run to the 6.634/189.20 effort of Edwards, who also red-lighted. The pass gave Johnson lane choice against Greg Stanfield in the semis. A.J. had Stanfield beat as far as the 1,000-ft mark down track, but his Mopar Dodge got out of the groove and drifted towards the centerline. Johnson almost corrected it, but was forced to lift, posting a losing 6.737/177.46 effort to Stanfield’s 6.609/209.23 run.
The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season wraps up with the annual NHRA Awards Banquet on Monday, Nov. 14. For more information on NHRA, visit http://www.nhra.com.