Joliet: Tommy Johnson final summary

JOHNSON AVENGES LOSS TO FORCE -- FALLS TO SCELZI

Joliet, IL (June 14, 2007) -- On Sunday, SKOAL Racing's Tommy Johnson Jr. advanced into the second round of the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Illinois before falling to eventual champion Gary Scelzi. Johnson Jr. started to strike the tires and couldn't recover as Scelzi scored a winning time of 4.886.

Despite the loss to Scelzi, Johnson was able to garner a first round win over Ashley Force with his SKOAL Racing Chevrolet Impala. The win was especially sweet for Johnson Jr. after Force knocked Johnson Jr. out in the second round of the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals back on May 6. Johnson remains in 12th place in the POWERade Championship Point Standings after nine races.

"The Impala ran real well this weekend and we are pleased with our performance," said Johnson. "Obviously, we would have loved to tally our first win of the season, but a win over Ashley is never easy and losing to the eventual champion isn't something to be ashamed about. We'll make the necessary adjustments and get ready for Englishtown, New Jersey in two weeks."

Scelzi defeated Ron Capps by .012 of a second in capturing his first win of the 2007.

Snake Racing's Larry Dixon advanced to the winner's circle for the first time since September 2005 when he defeated "Hot Rod" Fuller with a 4.579 at 322.11 mph to capture his 39th career crown.

-credit: snake racing