K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals
Englishtown, N.J.
(May 15-18)
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Allen Johnson Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T |
Reports: Sunday Saturday Friday Pre-race |
Gainesville, Sunday: Allen Johnson drove his Hemi-powered Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T to the second round of competition, before losing a close one to Kurt Johnson. The Greeneville, Tenn., resident ran a career best 6.713-second elapsed time at 205.85 mph en route to a first round victory over Troy Coughlin. In round two, A. Johnson narrowly missed the semifinals when he ran a 6.721/205.94 (career best speed) to KJ's 6.720/206.13 combination.
"I goofed up on the starting line," said Johnson, who left behind K. Johnson (.019-.045). "When I staged, I went in too deep and was afraid I was going to red light. So I backed off a little bit and had a forty light. That kind of light just doesn't get it in Pro Stock these days. Little bitty lapsed like that is what beats you in this category.
"The Hemi engines were really awesome this weekend," Johnson added. "We think we could have run a 6.70 or 6.69 on that first run. It just wasn't our day today."
Englishtown, Saturday: Allen Johnson heads a contingent of four Hemi-powered Pro Stock machines into tomorrow's 34th annual K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. With a bump spot of 6.741 seconds, it's the quickest field in Pro Stock history.
Johnson took home the fifth-qualifying position with a career-best 6.718-second elapsed time at 205.26 mph - also a career mark. The Greeneville, Tenn., resident will face off against Troy Coughlin in round one.
Johnson also ran in the first round of the King Demon Crown, falling to No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson. Johnson completed the second-quickest pass in round one of the KDC at 6.751 seconds and 204.91 mph, but red lit at the start to end his day.
"The worst run we made all weekend was in the King Demon Crown," Johnson said. "It really didn't matter on the track because I red lit, but this team has done an awesome job. (Teammate) Darrell (Alderman) hasn't really made a good run all weekend. They have been trying some stuff, so I think they can learn from us and put together a good set up.
"We can really run out of either lane," Johnson continued. "We've been working with the transmission ratio - and trying to get it to where the motor likes it. We've made probably the best runs we can make this weekend."
Englishtown, Friday: Mopar's Allen Johnson barely missed grabbing the top slot with a career-best elapsed time of 6.724 seconds. His Dodge Neon R/T fell shy of No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson, tomorrow's round one King Demon Crown opponent, by a scant one thousandth of a second. Johnson also tied his career-best top speed of 204.76 mph, matching his speed set at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway Park to open the 2003 season.
"We made a nice run on that one," Johnson said. "The thing is, and this is what were excited about, is the fact that we could have run quicker. It shook a little bit at the top end. We found some horsepower over the break and I think we'll see that this weekend."
Englishtown, pre-race: Mopar's Allen Johnson qualified seventh for the upcoming NHRA Pro Stock King Demon Crown All-Star event during the 34th annual Matco Tools SuperNationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The race will mark the first time that a factory backed Mopar entry has made the race since the 1998 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season. The Greeneville, Tenn., resident, who currently sits eighth in the Pro Stock championship chase, will face off against Greg Anderson in round one and is ecstatic about his inaugural appearance in the King Demon Crown.
"I think our performance level, with the help of Mopar and its engineering, has helped us take the next step," Johnson said. "I feel we'll be coming in to Englishtown as strong as we have been all season. We drew a tough first round opponent in (Kurt) Johnson (while in Atlanta), but I'm confident our performance level will step up right with his (K. Johnson) pretty quickly."
The 43-year-old category veteran also spoke of the future. According to Johnson, competing in the King Demon Crown means a lot to Johnson & Johnson Racing.
"We also hope to start off next year's competition on the right foot," said Johnson, who's teammate is three-time POWERade Pro Stock world champion Darrell Alderman. "Our team is very confident that we will get our two cars – Darrell Alderman and I – into next year's competition. Englishtown will be a big weekend, too, because it's important for this year's Pro Stock point standings and can be a springboard towards winning of the points chase."
Mopar has won the King Demon event in the past, as Alderman defeated Bruce Allen in 1991.
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