ENNIS, Texas – After back-to-back semifinal appearances to open the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, Pro Stock standout Allen Johnson seemed to be building up to something big.
But after a first-round loss at the most recent event at Maple Grove Raceway dropped Johnson to fifth in the points standings, 158 points behind series leader and reigning world champion Erica Enders, the 2012 Pro Stock world champion knows a breakout performance in the NHRA’s six-race playoffs is even more imperative.
Johnson still has championship aspirations in his Mopar/Magneti Marelli Dodge Dart and he knows wins will be necessary to get there over the final three events, starting with this weekend’s 30th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.
“I think we have to win two of the next three races and at worst go to the semis at the other,” said Johnson, who has 25 career victories. “That’s the goal. We can only control what we do. My mindset is to be and stay aggressive. That will be key. There is still a lot of bite left in this dog and we’re not ready to give up the hunt for that prize.”
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), Dave Connolly (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. It marks the fourth of six playoffs races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, making it a crucial stop for drivers to make one last championship push.
Johnson is part of that group and he’s determined to make a concerted effort to try and track down Enders over the final three races. Enders has been impressive throughout the 2015 season, winning a class-best seven races, but Johnson will give everything he has over the final three events in hopes of claiming a second world championship.
He struggled at Maple Grove Raceway, but Enders’ second-round loss there ensured the gap didn’t increased by a great amount, even as Johnson went from third to fifth in the points standings.
“Reading did not go as we had hoped but no one should count us out,” said Johnson, who has one win and four final round appearances in 2015. “We did the best we could and made a good run in the Magneti Marelli Dodge Dart but we just got whooped. We took that one on the chin and it hurt. What softens the blow a little is that we only lost 20 more points to the leader so we are still in there.”
Johnson had built up some solid momentum before the last race, advancing to the semifinals or better at five of the past eight races, including a win in Chicago and a final round appearance in Denver. But he has won four or more races in each of the previous three seasons and Johnson knows only a perfect finish will extend that streak to four straight years.
Johnson expects strong results to resume in Dallas, along with an aggressive mindset and approach he hopes closes the points gap heading into the final two events following the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. The pressure of the Countdown to the Championship is certainly noticeable, but Johnson has always enjoyed that challenge.
“I like the nerves and the feeling of competition at its highest level,” Johnson said. “There is a lot on the line. We have to get aggressive and go for maximum points.”
Johnson has enjoyed success at the Texas Motorplex as well, winning there during his championship season in 2012, and enjoying the robust winner’s circle celebrations the event offers in the process.
He’s eager to earn another Texas Motorplex signature black cowboy hat with the victory, but will be faced with a host of challenges, led by Enders, who has one Countdown win and currently has a 72-point lead over four-time world champion Greg Anderson. Other Countdown competitors include tough Texan Chris McGaha, who jumped to third and sits 104 points back of Enders after his Maple Grove win, Larry Morgan, who is 13 points ahead of Johnson, rookie Drew Skillman, Vincent Nobile, Jason Line, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray. But despite a strong list of competitors, Johnson won’t change his mindset.
“Of course we’re going for a win,” Johnson said. “We’ve won there before and we can do it again. Last time, I sat on the hood scoop and rode our HEMI like a bull in the winner’s circle. I’d like to be able to do that again. A win would be big for our Mopar team – and I hear they like things big in Texas. I have always loved going to Dallas and racing at Texas Motorplex and want another hat – bad!”
In Top Fuel, Antron Brown remained perfect in the Countdown, winning his third straight race and opening up a 94-point lead over reigning world champion Schumacher. Other Top Fuel stars in the Countdown are three-time world champion Larry Dixon, Brittany Force, who moved to third, Doug Kalitta, Richie Crampton, who has four wins in 2015, J.R. Todd, Connolly, 2013 world champion Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence.
In Funny Car, Del Worsham, who won the first two races of the Countdown, saw his lead shrink to just 16 points over Jack Beckman, who won his seventh race of the year at Maple Grove, also setting a world E.T. record. Other Countdown stars include reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan, who trails Worsham by 90 points, Tommy Johnson Jr., who is 98 points outside of first, Ron Capps, John Force, Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Robert Hight and Tim Wilkerson.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning world champion and points leader Andrew Hines picked up his second Countdown win at Maple Grove, opening up an 89-point lead over teammate Eddie Krawiec. Hector Arana Jr., who won in St. Louis, is 101 points behind Hines, while others to watch include Jerry Savoie, Matt Smith, Hector Arana, two-time season winner Karen Stoffer, Jim Underdahl, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.
The AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing 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, Oct. 16, with sessions at 2:45 and 5:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Oct. 17, at 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call the Texas Motorplex at (800) 668-6775 or visit www.texasmotorplex.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 30th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the 22nd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fourth 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: Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas. The track is located at 7500 W. Highway 287.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 500 feet above sea level; Track direction is southwest to northeast.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15-18
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Oct. 15 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, Oct. 16 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:45 and 5:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 17 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 18 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Oct. 18, ESPN2 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 18, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 – 8:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 9/Transponder 02C
Sunday, Oct. 18, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 9/Transponder 02C
(3710 MHz, vertical; 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: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 7; Tony Schumacher, TF, 6; Warren Johnson, PS, 5; Cruz Pedregon, FC, 4; Greg Anderson, PS, 4.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.761 sec. by J.R. Todd, Sept. ’14; 326.71 mph by Doug Kalitta, Sept. ’14
Funny Car – 4.039 sec. and 314.90 mph by Courtney Force, Sept. ’14
Pro Stock – 6.550 sec. and 211.99 mph by Allen Johnson, Sept. ’12
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.828 sec. by Hector Arana Jr., Sept. ’11; 197.22 mph by Michael Phillips, Sept. ’11
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 – 3.897 sec. by Jack Beckman, Oct. ‘15, Reading, Pa.; 330.47 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.
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 (800) 668-6775. Tickets also are available at www.texasmotorplex.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the third of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, and the 21st of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 2,432; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,338; 3. Brittany Force, 2,238; 4. Larry Dixon, 2,234; 5. Richie Crampton, 2,187; 6. J.R. Todd, 2,181; 7. Shawn Langdon, 2,177; 8. Doug Kalitta, 2,173; 9. Steve Torrence, 2,160; 10. Dave Connolly, 2,158.
Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 2,361; 2. Jack Beckman, 2,345; 3. Matt Hagan, 2,271; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,263; 5. Ron Capps, 2,256; 6. John Force, 2,211; 7. Cruz Pedregon, 2,169; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 2,162; 9. Alexis DeJoria, 2,154; 10. Robert Hight, 2,140.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 2,385; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,313; 3. Chris McGaha, 2,281; 4. Larry Morgan, 2,240; 5. Allen Johnson, 2,227; 6. Drew Skillman, 2,212; 7. Vincent Nobile, 2,187; 8. Jason Line, 2,179; 9. Shane Gray, 2,149; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,119.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,378; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,289; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 2,277; 4. Jerry Savoie, 2,259; 5. Matt Smith, 2,244; 6. Chip Ellis, 2,223; 7. Karen Stoffer, 2,199; 8. Hector Arana, 2,167; 9. Jim Underdahl, 2,126; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,076.
