Allen Johnson ready for trip to Dallas

Team Mopar Driver Johnson Ready for the Second Round of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship Playoffs

Pro Stock Driver Allen Johnson

Photo by: Ted Rossino

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Team Mopar® Dodge Avenger NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson looks to make up some ground in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as he takes to the track in the 26th Annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Sept. 22–25 at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

Johnson enters the event sixth in Pro Stock points, just 23 markers out of the top-five with five events remaining in the six-race showdown, as he chases his first title. The second generation driver opened the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and was the third fastest qualifier in Charlotte, before falling in the first round.

“I feel like I am driving good and we are making very good decisions right now,” said Johnson. “The team is working well together, and other than the Summit cars (Jason Line and Greg Anderson), we are the class of the field right now and I truly believe that. We feel very good heading into the second race of the Countdown.”

Johnson was the No. 1 Qualifier at Texas Motorplex last season, advancing to the quarterfinals. In his career at the venue located just outside of Dallas, the native of Greeneville, Tenn. has reached the semifinals three times, as he seeks his first final round appearance and win at the track. The Team Mopar veteran has been among the top half of the field in qualifying on five occasions at the Texas Motorplex and in 16 of 17 events this season.

“Last year we went down to Texas and dominated speed-wise, but had some inconsistency,” noted Johnson. “This year we are going to turn that around. We look to be very consistent and go rounds. We are still in good shape in the Countdown and have plenty of rounds left to gain points.”

Johnson will be switching to a Haas Chassis under his Mopar Dodge Avenger, beginning this weekend, the same combination that his rookie teammate Vincent Nobile, who is No. 3 in the Countdown, utilizes. Johnson had a chance to shake down the new car earlier this week, before heading to Texas for the second round of the six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“The car seems to be more consistent and forgiving,” shared Johnson of his new Haas Chassis. “We feel good about making the change at this point of the season.”

Johnson to take part in Greg Morris Memorial Golf Tournament Allen Johnson will join a number of participants from the NHRA community scheduled to take part in the Eighth Annual Greg Morris Memorial Golf Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris, Texas. The tournament was founded to help support Heather Morris, daughter of Greg Morris, a track worker at Texas Motorplex who passed away following a battle with brain cancer. Greg was diagnosed six months before Heather lost her mother in a tragic car accident.

“The Greg Morris Golf Tournament is a great event,” said Johnson, who has taken part in the tournament for several years. “The NHRA community comes together to help a little girl who lost both of her parents. It’s a great tournament and many good people are involved with it.”