Joliet: Team Mopar Saturday notes

TEAM MOPAR® PRO STOCKER JOHNSON TAKES NO. 14 QUALIFYING SPOT AT JOLIET; MORGAN MAKES FIELD ON HIS FINAL SATURDAY RUN

Joliet, Ill. (June 7, 2008) -- Mopar®/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T driver Allen Johnson will start from the No. 14 spot tomorrow at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill. Johnson failed to qualify in the top half of the Pro Stock field for the first time this year.

The Greeneville, Tenn. native placed himself into the Sunday eliminations mix with a best pass of 6.741/205.01 in the first Saturday qualifying session. Johnson also recorded runs of 6.754/204.17 and 6.748/204.45 on Friday and a mark of 6.741/204.35 in his second Saturday qualifying attempt.

"We did a little better on both runs today," said Johnson. "We were probably among the top five or so cars today. That's about where we ought to be, but we're still not happy. You know, we've qualified in the top half every race this year before this one and we haven't had the best results, so maybe if we start farther back it will spark something."

Said Johnson about his opening round match up with Greg Anderson tomorrow: "It'll be tough. We'll both have to do our jobs."

HEMI®-powered Lucas Oil Dodge Stratus R/T driver Larry Morgan provided the Joliet crowd with a bit of drama during the final qualifying session. The Newark, Ohio native was in danger of following up his runner-up finish at the previous event in Topeka with a DNQ. Dead last in the 26-car field prior to his final qualifying chance, the pressure was on. Morgan came through like the Team Mopar Pro Stock veteran he is, posting a pass of 6.739/204.26 to claim the No. 13 starting position and a rematch with his Topeka finals opponent, Ron Krisher.

Justin Humphreys led the five Mopar-powered Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock drivers to qualify for the elimination rounds, notching a mark of 6.737/204.01 to score the 12th starting position and a first round duel with Jason Line. John Nobile earned the No. 15 spot and will face Warren Johnson, while young Rickie Jones added to his strong rookie season by claiming the 16th starting spot and an opening round battle with pole-sitter Jeg Coughlin.

Mopar-powered Dodge Stratus R/T hotshoes failing to qualify for the event were Todd Hoerner, Vinnie Deceglie, Max Naylor, V. Gaines, Johnny Gray and Bob Yonke.

-credit: mopar