Johnson, Krawiec ready to put finishing touches on titles at Pomona finale

The stage is set for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships to be decided at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 8-11 at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Thanks to winning performances in Las Vegas, Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) come to the tradition-rich Southern California drag strip in the championship driver’s seat in their respective categories.

Team Mopar Pro Stock driver Johnson has dominated the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs in the 200-mph factory hot rod class with two victories in four final rounds. He has claimed a personal best six victories this season and leads defending world champ Jason Line by 126 points entering the final race of the season.

With that kind of cushion, Johnson needs only to qualify for eliminations to secure his first world championship title.

“I want to go to Pomona and win that last race and really with an iron fist come down on this championship,” Johnson said. “That’s what this team wants to do this year. We wanted to win (in Las Vegas). We didn’t just want to come out of (Las Vegas) with a big points lead. We want to win the last two races and just kill this thing.”

Krawiec is hoping to become a three-time world champ in Pro Stock Motorcycle at Pomona. As winner of the last three Countdown playoff races, Krawiec is also hoping to earn a fourth victory in a row. Both accomplishments would put him in exclusive company.

Like Johnson, Krawiec brings a big lead to the final race. He is ahead of second place Andrew Hines by 111 points, and while he could wrap up his championship title during qualifying, he will certainly win it by racing in the first round on Sunday.

“It takes a lot of pressure off me going into Pomona,” Krawiec said. “Reflecting back on the whole year, it’s been really like a dream season for me. I still have the opportunity for one more win and I want to go after it. I have a great track record at Pomona, so there’s no reason to count myself out. I’m just really excited and really happy and just proud to be a part of my Harley-Davidson team. These guys support me 100-percent and they give me awesome equipment to make sure it goes up and down the track.”

NHRA