<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/t_johnson.jpg" alt="t_johnson" align="left"borders="0"/>
LAS VEGAS (April 13) – The NHRA Funny Car class established itself as one of the most competitive professional classes last year, and the trend continues in 2008.
“I thought we made a little progress this weekend,” said Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. “We got two good runs in qualifying. We had a little engine problem in qualifying Saturday morning and I thought we fixed that.”
“In order to understand the level of competition, you have to take a look at the class as a whole,” continued Johnson. “When John Force (14-time champion) doesn’t make the show, and you know you’re not doing as well as you’d like, it underscores the degree of difficulty in this class. Realistically, I think we’re making some progress.”
Johnson qualified No. 13 with a 4.924/309.49.
In the first round of race day action, Johnson had a substantial starting line advantage over opponent Ashley Force but was unable to capitalize on that lead.
“I couldn’t see her (Ashley Force) at first,” explained Johnson. “I knew the Monster Energy car’s engine wasn’t running as well as it could be, and I was hoping for the best, but she finally came around me. It’s frustrating to get qualified two races in a row and try to make a little progress and then encounter engine problems.
“We’re planning to test the new car tomorrow here in Vegas and see if we can use that to help us figure out our gremlins. Hopefully by the time we get to Atlanta , we will have learned why the engine has been hurting itself.”
MONSTER ENERGY TEAM ENCOUNTERS ENGINE DIFFICULTY IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS (April 13) – The NHRA Funny Car class established itself as one of the most competitive professional classes last year, and the trend continues in 2008.
“I thought we made a little progress this weekend,” said Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. “We got two good runs in qualifying. We had a little engine problem in qualifying Saturday morning and I thought we fixed that.”
“In order to understand the level of competition, you have to take a look at the class as a whole,” continued Johnson. “When John Force (14-time champion) doesn’t make the show, and you know you’re not doing as well as you’d like, it underscores the degree of difficulty in this class. Realistically, I think we’re making some progress.”
Johnson qualified No. 13 with a 4.924/309.49.
In the first round of race day action, Johnson had a substantial starting line advantage over opponent Ashley Force but was unable to capitalize on that lead.
“I couldn’t see her (Ashley Force) at first,” explained Johnson. “I knew the Monster Energy car’s engine wasn’t running as well as it could be, and I was hoping for the best, but she finally came around me. It’s frustrating to get qualified two races in a row and try to make a little progress and then encounter engine problems.
“We’re planning to test the new car tomorrow here in Vegas and see if we can use that to help us figure out our gremlins. Hopefully by the time we get to Atlanta , we will have learned why the engine has been hurting itself.”
