Team Mopar driver Allen Johnson begins the NHRA Countdown to the Championship post-season playoffs second in the standings, only 30 points and six races separating him from his first NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock championship. The Mopar Dodge Avenger driver feels this year might represent his best chance at the title entering the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Sept. 1–6 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
“We’re excited about it, the little journey we’re about to go on,” said Johnson, who captured his eighth career Pro Stock win in July at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. “We look forward to it. We consider the title fight a real challenge, and probably for the first time I think we’ve got a really good shot at the championship.”
Johnson’s confidence is well-founded. The J&J Racing team owner and driver has had a hot hand in the recent past at Indy, claiming the No. 1 Qualifier Award at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. Johnson is also in the midst of the strongest year of his career, earning four final-round appearances and four No. 1 Qualifier Awards (both career highs) with six races still remaining in the season.
“Indy has always been a track that has been really good to us,” said Johnson. “We seem to do well there. Every time we go to Indy, it’s huge. It’s one of the classic races that everyone wants to win and get their name in the books.”
Johnson to participate in Team Mopar autograph session at U.S. Nationals
Allen Johnson will also participate in a Team Mopar autograph session during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. The meet-and-greet and autograph session will take place at the Mopar Direct Connection Trailer on Saturday, Sept. 4 from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Joining the Team Mopar veteran will be Mopar-powered NHRA Funny Car stars Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and Matt Hagan, and Dodge Avenger Pro Stock drivers V. Gaines and Vinnie Deceglie.
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is scheduled to take place Sept. 1–6 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Qualifying coverage will air on Sunday, Sept. 5, from 10 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Five hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, Sept. 6, beginning at 1 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more information on the NHRA, log on to http://www.nhra.com.
About the Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles — a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at http://www.mopar.com.