FUNNY CAR’S TOMMY JOHNSON FINE WITH THE STATUS QUO HEADING TO AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS

MADISON, Ill. – Heading into the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, Tommy Johnson Jr. didn’t feel the need to change a great deal.

The Funny Car standout was fine with the status quo of an already successful season that included two wins and five final rounds in the NHRA regular season. That consistency, which has been an obvious trait of his 10,000-horsepower Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T, has also only meant three first-round losses through 19 events, an incredible number and the lowest amount in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class.

That consistent approach worked at the Countdown opener in Charlotte, where Johnson earned another runner-up finish to move to second in points, and he is banking on it to deliver another solid performance at this weekend’s fourth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.

“We had been running so well coming into the Countdown that we focused on not changing anything,” Johnson said. “We’ll just continue what we were doing. The performance of the car in Charlotte continued to keep pace with what it has been doing. We made good, consistent runs throughout the weekend. If we do that every race, it will pay off. As soon as you try and alter your routine during the Countdown, you’ll probably make mistakes. We’re going to go with what we know.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), Dave Connolly (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The lucrative event just outside of St. Louis is the second of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and comes at a pivotal time for any driver chasing a championship.

What Johnson knows in 2015 is that his Dodge Charger R/T will deliver impressive numbers in any weather condition. He has been fast and quick throughout the year, delivering multiple three-second runs, including a 3.971 to qualify No. 1 in Charlotte, but Johnson and his team, led by crew chief John Collins, have taken an immense amount of pride in delivering repeat performances throughout a race weekend.

That has paid off with victories in Chicago and Seattle, and also given Johnson a key advantage in the Countdown to the Championship. Consistent performances will be vital, also greatly warding off the chance of getting ousted early in a race, which can put an immediate damper on a championship hunt.

“In the Countdown, with only six races to win the Championship, you can’t make any mistakes,” said Johnson, who has 12 career wins. “Not only in every round, but also with every run in qualifying because you need those bonus points. It’s important to be consistent and get as many points as you can. You have to be consistent, but you have to be quick as well, no matter the conditions.”

That hasn’t been a problem for Johnson, who delivered consistent runs on a hot and tricky track in Charlotte to start the Countdown to the Championship on the right foot. He lost in the final round to Del Worsham, who jumped into the points lead with his first win of the season, but more performances like last weekend will ensure Johnson will be in the championship conversation right to the end.

But the way he sees it, Johnson doesn’t want to stop now and he knows that furthering his strong start in St. Louis could pay dividends down the stretch.

“I think the people you’re going see have a chance at the end will be the ones who were off to a quick start and put pressure on the other teams,” Johnson said. “I think that coming out of Charlotte with a strong performance will help build momentum and win some rounds we might not have because teams know they have to push against you.”

Johnson trails Worsham by just six points with five races remaining, though there are plenty of championship contenders behind the two Charlotte finalists. That includes Johnson’s teammate Jack Beckman, a six-time 2015 winner who was upset in the first round in Charlotte after a dominant second half of the season saw him take the points lead into the Countdown.

Beckman dropped to third, while other championship hopefuls include reigning world champion Matt Hagan, who is fourth, 16-time world champion John Force, Ron Capps, Robert Hight, Alexis DeJoria, Tim Wilkerson and Cruz Pedregon. It’s an imposing list, but Johnson will feel right at home in St. Louis.

“You know, I have so much history at that track (Gateway Motorsports Park),” Johnson said. “My dad won that race in 1976, and I have raced at that track so many times in my career. It’s somewhat of a home track since I’ve raced there so many years. I sure like racing there this time of the year instead of when we used to; we have great weather and a great turnout from the fans. You know, if the weather is right, we could see some stellar numbers.”

In Top Fuel, all eyes will be on Brown, who won in Charlotte to jump into the points lead. The 2012 Top Fuel world champ looks to continue his recent momentum and make it four straight wins at Gateway Motorsports Park. The loaded Top Fuel lineup also includes reigning world champion Tony Schumacher, Richie Crampton, who has four wins in 2015, three-time world champion Larry Dixon, who sits in third, J.R. Todd, who moved to fourth with his final round appearance in Charlotte, Doug Kalitta, Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force and Dave Connolly.

Pro Stock points leader and reigning world champion Erica Enders, who has seven wins this season including the Countdown opener that gave her three straight victories, will have her hands full dealing with challenges from four-time world champion and four-time 2015 winner Greg Anderson, who is currently 83 points behind Enders, and his teammate Jason Line. Other championship contenders include two-time event winner in 2015 Chris McGaha, who is currently third, Allen Johnson, Vincent Nobile, who moved to up to sixth with a runner-up performance in Charlotte, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, rookie Drew Skillman and veteran driver Larry Morgan.

Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie is the defending winner of this event in Pro Stock Motorcycle and will head into St. Louis third in points. Andrew Hines, the reigning world champion, passed teammate Eddie Krawiec to move into first in points after winning in Charlotte, dropping Krawiec to second. Others to watch include Hector Arana Jr., Matt Smith, who jumped to fourth with a final round showing in Charlotte, Jim Underdahl, Hector Arana, Karen Stoffer, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.

The race also will showcase the thrilling 250 mph action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Series.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 25, with sessions at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m. with one final qualifying session on Saturday at 1 p.m. The first round will begin on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. and continue on Sunday.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845) or visit www.gatewaymsp.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: Fourth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the second of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, Ill. – located five minutes from downtown St. Louis at the intersection of Interstates 55/70 and Ill. Route 203 (Exit 4).

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 445 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25-27

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, Sept. 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 3:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 27 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 3 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will re-air one hour of qualifying coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will televise three hours and 30 minutes of elimination coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), SES 1/Transponder 10C

Sunday, Sept. 27, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 10C

(3900 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Antron Brown, 4, TF; Gary Scelzi, 4, TF and FC; Doug Kalitta, 3, TF; Ron Capps, 3, FC; John Force, 3, FC; Kurt Johnson, 3, PS; Warren Johnson, 3, PS; Angelle Sampey, 3, PSM.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.737 sec. by Antron Brown, Sept. ‘12; 327.74 mph by Tony Schumacher, Sept. ‘13

Funny Car – 4.001 sec. and 320.20 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘13

Pro Stock – 6.496 sec. and 213.47 mph by Jason Line, Sept. ‘12

PS Motorcycle – 6.769 sec. and 198.58 mph by Hector Arana, Sept. ‘13

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.901 sec. by Jack Beckman, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 329.58 mph by Matt Hagan, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845), or visit www.gatewaymsp.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the first of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 2,199; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,190; 3. Larry Dixon, 2,117; 4. J.R. Todd, 2,114; 5. Richie Crampton, 2,101; 6. (tie) Brittany Force, 2,082; Doug Kalitta, 2,082; 8. Shawn Langdon, 2,073; 9. Steve Torrence, 2,069; 10. Dave Connolly, 2,035.

Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 2,181; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,175; 3. Jack Beckman, 2,147; 4. Matt Hagan, 2,133; 5. John Force, 2,125; 6. Ron Capps, 2,100; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,071; 8. Robert Hight, 2,067; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,055; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 2,042.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 2,231; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,148; 3. Chris McGaha, 2,127; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,122; 5. Larry Morgan, 2,114; 6. Vincent Nobile, 2,103; 7. Jason Line, 2,093; 8. Shane Gray, 2,085; 9. Drew Skillman, 2,053; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,032.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,193; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,173; 3. Jerry Savoie, 2,141; 4. Matt Smith, 2,136; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 2,112; 6. Karen Stoffer, 2,089; 7. Jim Underdahl, 2,062; 8. Chip Ellis, 2,053; 9. Hector Arana, 2,042; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,010.