Hometown Boy and Team Mopar® Driver Allen Johnson Looks to Make Good with First Win at O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Johnson’s best finish at his home event came last year with a quarterfinals appearance. He’ll attempt to kill two birds with one stone and notch both his first win of the 2008 season and his first victory at the Bristol NHRA stop.

“Bristol has always had a stranglehold on us. Our best finish there since it became a national event has been the quarterfinals,” said Johnson. “I think a win anywhere right now would mean a lot, but a win at Bristol would be special, right up there with qualifying No. 1 and winning at Denver [which Johnson did last year at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals]. It would mean a lot to family and friends, and I know we would get a lot of coverage from the local media.”

Johnson hopes the benefits of being close to home pay off for the HEMI®-powered Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T crew. His team includes crew chief Mark Ingersoll and his father and engine builder, Roy Johnson.

“It’s always a very nice part of the year,” said AJ. “Being able to race in front of your family and friends and to sleep in your own bed is a big plus.”

Johnson is amped for the NHRA Circle Track Challenge at Bristol

A quarter-mile pro, Johnson has already strapped in for circle track events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and at Tri-City Speedway in Illinois this year. He’ll test his expertise at turning left yet again in the NHRA Circle Track Challenge at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 17. The event will take place on Saturday night following qualifying for the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Johnson of the chance to show his hometown fans his skills away from the drag strip. “I think I’ve gotten better at it. Those last 10 laps out there in the dirt [at the Tri-City Speedway NHRA on Dirt event] I got the hang of it pretty good. I was running right behind Gary Scelzi [the event winner] and keeping pace with him [Johnson finished fifth]. It’s definitely fun. These circle track events break the monotony and are something new. I think this deal here at Bristol will be extra fun.”

Race fans can vote to determine the Circle Track Challenge’s starting line-up on www.bristoldragway.com. Fans may vote once per day, with the “polls” closing on May 15. Johnson has put on his campaign hat in order to secure a good starting position.

“I’ve been really political,” said Johnson. “I’ve been looking for votes.”

Other drivers set to steer street stock cars in the event include Johnson’s Team Mopar teammates Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps. He’ll also be joined by NHRA drivers Tony Schumacher, Jeg Coughlin, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Doug Kalitta, Kurt Johnson, Dave Grubnic, Morgan Lucas, J.R. Todd, Justin Humphreys, Doug Herbert, Antron Brown, Jack Beckman and Cory McClenathan.

Johnson stats

Currently fifth in the NHRA Pro Stock points standings
Scored his first round-win at Bristol in the 2007 O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Has two semifinals appearances through the first seven events in 2008
Qualified no worse than sixth in the first seven 2008 NHRA POWERade events
Has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in each of the first seven 2008 NHRA POWERade events
Claimed his fourth career No. 1 qualifier award at the 2008 Phoenix event
Has an 9-7 round win record through seven events
Reached the semifinals in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
Finished fourth in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
One of only four Pro Stock drivers to qualify in the inaugural NHRA Countdown to 1 title playoff
Captured his 5th-career win at the 28th Annual Mopar® Mile-High Nationals in July 2007
Posted two runner-up finishes in 2007
Advanced to 12 career final rounds

O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

The O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is scheduled for May 16–18 at Bristol Dragway. Two hours of qualifying coverage will air on Saturday, May 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Three-and-a-half hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, May 18 starting at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more info on the NHRA, log on to www.nhra.com.

70 Years of Mopar

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

Today, Chrysler LLC’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler Engineering standards.