Career Best Accelerates Ahten to Second Round Finish
Pomona, Calif. -- Johnny Ahten, the flame-chasing fire fighter from
Santa Clarita, Calif., ended his 2009 NHRA season recording a career
best elapsed time and speed in qualifying at the season ending NHRA Auto
Club World Finals held this past weekend in Pomona. His 5.256 second
blast at 269.78 miles per hour was good enough to place him in the
number two qualified position heading into final eliminations.
"That was one heck of a ride," noted Ahten the driver of the Headman
Headers/Lucas Oil 'Stump Puller' A/Fuel Dragster. "As soon as I smacked
the throttle, I knew it was on one heck of a pass. When I got to half
track it kept pulling. And when I crossed the finish line I shouted 'Yee
Haw'. We've found some exceptional performance with this old car and we
believe it's a sign of better performance to come."
Ahten began eliminations on Saturday evening versus the number 15
qualifier Derek Flynn, who traveled to Southern California from Alton
Hampshire, UK to drive an A/Fuel Dragster owned by Larry Meirsch. The
race was over before it began as Flynn left the starting line -0.123
seconds too early and triggered the red light and handing Ahten a round
one victory. "We got lucky on that pass as Flynn had us beat," Ahten
said. "The car left well but then shook very violently about 100 feet
past the starting line. I saw the red light in his lane and clicked it
early to save some parts for Sunday."
In the second round, Ahten matched up against Brittney Force, driving
the potent A/Fuel Dragster of Jerry Darien. Ahten grabbed a huge 0.077
second advantage in reaction time over Force as the two cars left the
starting line. His car continued charging down the Pomona quarter mile
until about 330 feet when a mechanical issue with the ignition system
caused the car to drop a cylinder. The car continued to lose horse power
and cylinders, permitting Force to pass him in the last 100 feet of the
1320 foot track which handed the college student from Yorba Linda the
round two win. Her 5.294 second E.T. was good enough to eclipse Ahtens
5.388 second 248.93 MPH run.
"The car was on a 5.20 elapsed time run until the ignition system let
us down," noted Ahten. "I could be upset about this, but we have made
tremendous strides this season. I am so proud of the work that Howard
Katano, my Dad Al, Uncle Bob, Todd "Rocky" Rockwell and Kevin "Shark"
Colvell have put forth this season. Without the support of Lucas Oil,
Headman Headders and Island Renovations there is no way I could be lucky
enough to drive this car. I am blessed to be surrounded by great people
and I am truly excited for 2010."
-credit: jaPR
