Topeka: Tommy Johnson Jr Saturday summary

Johnson Jr. Qualifies 10th at Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 29, 2004) - Tommy Johnson Jr. drove his blue Skoal RacingSM Chevy Monte Carlo Funny Car to the No. 10 qualifying position Saturday with a weekend-best effort of 4.867 seconds at 318.02 mph at Heartland Park Topeka.

The Iowa native clocked the 4.867 at 318.02 performance on Friday's second qualifying session. Johnson powered his Mike Green-tuned flopper to a run of 4.868 at 313.00 on Saturday's first qualifying attempt, and on his final effort, he raced his Don Prudhomme-owned Funny Car to a run of 4.906 at 311.63.

After struggling during qualifying last weekend near Chicago, the blue Skoal Racing Funny Car returned to its consistent ways, making four full passes down the Heartland Park quarter mile during qualifying.

"We made a mistake at Chicago," Johnson said. "I knew we would come here and run well. This new chassis should be much more consistent. I like it. I like our chances. One of these days things are going to turn around and go our way and they'd better look out when it does."

The five-time NHRA winner will face No. 7 qualifier Cruz Pedregon in the opening round of Funny Car eliminations at 11 a.m. (CT) on Sunday. Johnson has a 5-1 career mark versus Pedregon.

-www.snakeracing.com