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• Johnson is focused on continuing his strong start for Team Mopar® at the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series
• Johnson stats
• Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals event details
Center Line, Mich. — The 2007 Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals could not have gone worse for Team Mopar® Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson. He suffered his only Did Not Qualify (DNQ) of the season. More importantly, his father and engine builder, Roy Johnson, was stricken by a near-fatal heart attack while working at the track.
With his father by his side, Johnson views his return to this year’s Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals, scene of one of the worst weekends of his racing career, as a time of rebirth and celebration.
“We’ve got Dad an appointment early Thursday morning with the people who saved his life. They’re going to check him out and give him a physical,” said Johnson of his father, who had to be rushed from the track last year to a local hospital and was shocked back to life by doctors. The elder Johnson didn’t miss a beat, however, and was back turning the wrenches on his son’s Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock car at the next event, the NHRA Gatornationals.
Johnson, a Greeneville, Tenn., native, added, “We’ve got the opportunity to turn a really bad weekend last year into a really great weekend this year. It’s just more of a celebration that we are able to go back there with Dad. He’s been doing great. The stance we’re taking is that it happened for a reason, it’s a good thing, and we’re going to go back there and celebrate it with a win this weekend.”
“With a track record of steady and consistent performances, Allen and the J&J Racing team must be considered among the elite squads on the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series,” said Rob Richard, Director of Global Mopar Parts, Sales and Service Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “On so many levels, it’s great they are returning to Phoenix on such a positive note.”
Johnson is focused on continuing his strong start for Team Mopar® at the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series
If Johnson can follow up his semifinals showing at Pomona with a strong performance this weekend at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals, he’ll have even more reason to celebrate his return to Firebird International Raceway. Following his DNQ at Phoenix last year, Johnson was shuffled back to 16th in the NHRA Pro Stock points heading into the NHRA Gatornationals. Currently fourth in the Pro Stock points, a continued fast start could go a long way to rocketing Johnson to his first NHRA Pro Stock title.
“I think it would definitely be a plus any time you’re doing well,” observed Johnson. “It would be nice to be leading the points after Indy [the U.S. Nationals] so we can get the 30-point bonus. That’s what we are shooting for [the NHRA Countdown to 10 regular season will end after the 18th event, the U.S. Nationals. The top 10 drivers will then have their points reset in 10-point increments, with the points leader receiving a 20-point bonus. The top 10 drivers will then advance to the Countdown to 1 six-race title playoff].”
Johnson, the 2005 Phoenix winner, has gained confidence through numerous test sessions in his HEMI®-powered Dodge Stratus R/T early this year. The veteran Team Mopar driver feels the long hours on the track are paying off.
“I think we figured some stuff out in testing and at Pomona,” said Johnson. “It really helped us on slick tracks. We’ll go to Phoenix this weekend and incorporate that into the set up and hopefully knock their socks off. Our strategy is the same, but just a little more aggressive than last year. I want to win at least five races this year.”
Johnson stats
• Reached the semifinals in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.
• Currently fourth in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
• Won the 2005 Phoenix event, defeating Ron Krisher in the finals
• Finished fourth in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
• One of only four Pro Stock drivers to qualify for the inaugural NHRA Countdown to 1 title playoff
• Captured his 5th career win at the 28th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in July 2007
• Posted two runner-up finishes in 2007
• Has three career No. 1 qualifier awards
• Has advanced to 12 career final rounds
Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals event details
The Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals is scheduled for Feb. 22–24 at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage on Sunday, Feb. 24 beginning at 2 a.m. (ET). Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, Feb. 24 starting at 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more info on the NHRA, log on to NHRA.com.
70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
Today, Chrysler LLC’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler Engineering standards.
After Near Tragedy Last Year, Allen Johnson of Team Mopar® Sees Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals as a Time to Celebrate
• Johnson is focused on continuing his strong start for Team Mopar® at the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series
• Johnson stats
• Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals event details
Center Line, Mich. — The 2007 Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals could not have gone worse for Team Mopar® Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson. He suffered his only Did Not Qualify (DNQ) of the season. More importantly, his father and engine builder, Roy Johnson, was stricken by a near-fatal heart attack while working at the track.
With his father by his side, Johnson views his return to this year’s Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals, scene of one of the worst weekends of his racing career, as a time of rebirth and celebration.
“We’ve got Dad an appointment early Thursday morning with the people who saved his life. They’re going to check him out and give him a physical,” said Johnson of his father, who had to be rushed from the track last year to a local hospital and was shocked back to life by doctors. The elder Johnson didn’t miss a beat, however, and was back turning the wrenches on his son’s Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock car at the next event, the NHRA Gatornationals.
Johnson, a Greeneville, Tenn., native, added, “We’ve got the opportunity to turn a really bad weekend last year into a really great weekend this year. It’s just more of a celebration that we are able to go back there with Dad. He’s been doing great. The stance we’re taking is that it happened for a reason, it’s a good thing, and we’re going to go back there and celebrate it with a win this weekend.”
“With a track record of steady and consistent performances, Allen and the J&J Racing team must be considered among the elite squads on the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series,” said Rob Richard, Director of Global Mopar Parts, Sales and Service Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “On so many levels, it’s great they are returning to Phoenix on such a positive note.”
Johnson is focused on continuing his strong start for Team Mopar® at the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series
If Johnson can follow up his semifinals showing at Pomona with a strong performance this weekend at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals, he’ll have even more reason to celebrate his return to Firebird International Raceway. Following his DNQ at Phoenix last year, Johnson was shuffled back to 16th in the NHRA Pro Stock points heading into the NHRA Gatornationals. Currently fourth in the Pro Stock points, a continued fast start could go a long way to rocketing Johnson to his first NHRA Pro Stock title.
“I think it would definitely be a plus any time you’re doing well,” observed Johnson. “It would be nice to be leading the points after Indy [the U.S. Nationals] so we can get the 30-point bonus. That’s what we are shooting for [the NHRA Countdown to 10 regular season will end after the 18th event, the U.S. Nationals. The top 10 drivers will then have their points reset in 10-point increments, with the points leader receiving a 20-point bonus. The top 10 drivers will then advance to the Countdown to 1 six-race title playoff].”
Johnson, the 2005 Phoenix winner, has gained confidence through numerous test sessions in his HEMI®-powered Dodge Stratus R/T early this year. The veteran Team Mopar driver feels the long hours on the track are paying off.
“I think we figured some stuff out in testing and at Pomona,” said Johnson. “It really helped us on slick tracks. We’ll go to Phoenix this weekend and incorporate that into the set up and hopefully knock their socks off. Our strategy is the same, but just a little more aggressive than last year. I want to win at least five races this year.”
Johnson stats
• Reached the semifinals in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.
• Currently fourth in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
• Won the 2005 Phoenix event, defeating Ron Krisher in the finals
• Finished fourth in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock points standings
• One of only four Pro Stock drivers to qualify for the inaugural NHRA Countdown to 1 title playoff
• Captured his 5th career win at the 28th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in July 2007
• Posted two runner-up finishes in 2007
• Has three career No. 1 qualifier awards
• Has advanced to 12 career final rounds
Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals event details
The Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals is scheduled for Feb. 22–24 at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage on Sunday, Feb. 24 beginning at 2 a.m. (ET). Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, Feb. 24 starting at 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more info on the NHRA, log on to NHRA.com.
70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
Today, Chrysler LLC’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler Engineering standards.
