Seattle: Allen Johnson preview

Mopar Mile-High Victor Johnson Seeks Win, Fourth Straight Finals Appearance at Seattle

Allen Johnson will look for his second straight win and third of '09 at Seattle

Center Line, Mich. -- It might be an understatement to say things are looking up for Team Mopar NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson. The Mopar HEMI-powered driver scored his second win in five races last weekend at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver, has amassed a 12-3 round win record since his May win at Topeka and will trek next to the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Wash., where he has advanced to the finals three years straight. The event is scheduled for July 17--19 at Pacific Raceways.

Johnson's win at Denver marked the seventh of his career in 17 finals appearance, including a 2006 victory at Seattle. According to Johnson, the car, the crew and the driver are coalescing nicely, making a sweep of the NHRA's Western Swing, the three-race jaunt through Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, a realistic goal for the Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T squad.

"I feel like I've taken it up a notch and I'm more consistent, and I'm really tickled with myself for that," said Johnson, who left first off the starting line to score a holeshot victory over Jason Line in the Mopar Mile-High finals. "I've been practicing a lot on my reaction time, the same way as all the testing we've been doing has come through for the crew. It's just like the plan is coming together.

"At Denver we had a little coverage there to where we could be a little bit conservative on Sunday and still have people covered. That makes you more confident as a driver. Hopefully, we can go in there at Seattle and have the same type of cushion and be able to approach the set up a little differently. Having a great car and a great crew behind you just make driving the car a little easier."

Johnson says he hopes to ride his current hot streak to a sweep of the Western Swing all the way through to his first career NHRA Pro Stock title.

"I believe the momentum we started at Denver will carry us through," Johnson predicted. "You start a good trend and it can carry you through the next few races. Hopefully we can extend that through the end of the year, not just three or four races. I've always loved Denver, I've always loved Seattle and Sonoma. Hopefully, we can get it done at all three this year, and I'll need that broom to sweep up!"

-credit: mopar