<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/S_Johnson.jpg" alt="S_Johnson" align="right"borders="0"/>
BIRMINGHAM, AL 4/23/07 Snap-on Tools Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Steve Johnson has another busy week ahead of him before qualifying begins for the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals this coming Friday. “I’m heading to the airport right now,” he said in preparation for a flight to Oklahoma City. “I love the life I’m living,” he added, “but it does get hectic just trying to keep all of the appearances in order. It’d be kind of embarrassing if I showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time!”
Here’s just part of Johnson’s schedule for the rest of the week. Later today he’ll make four personal appearances at Oklahoma City area schools where he’ll address the students on the importance of continuing their educations beyond high school in order to meet the demands of an increasingly high tech world. On Tuesday he’ll address a Future Farmers of America gathering in the same city, after which he’ll catch a flight for Atlanta.
Wednesday will be another full day for Johnson as he’ll be testing his Snap-on Tools Suzuki at a track near Atlanta Dragway, site of next weekend’s NHRA POWERade Series national event.
“Our crew chief, Mark Peiser, has made some changes to our Suzuki,” Johnson said, “and I’m eager to see how things work on the track. Tim Kulungian and Richie Wiley, our mechanics, also want to see how everything goes, because we’re hoping to improve our points position this coming weekend.”
Following two of 15-races on the NHRA POWERade tour, Johnson is tied for sixth place in the standings, just four points out of fifth and only eight behind the rider in fourth place. “I’m hoping we can make a big move up this coming weekend,” he said.
After a full day of testing Wednesday, Johnson has a couple of TV interviews slated for Thursday morning, after which he’ll fly back to Talladega where he’ll be a guest at the Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony featuring six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson.
“Warren’s one of the most highly respected and accomplished competitors in drag racing,” Johnson said. “We’ve got the same last name, and even though we aren’t related, maybe some of his championship-winning ways will rub off on me. Hey, a guy can always hope, ya know!”
Early Friday Johnson will be winging his way back to Atlanta, and then on to Commerce, Georgia, site of Atlanta Dragway and the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals. Once at the track he’ll participate in the NHRA Youth & Education Services program for youngsters, and will also host Pit tours with future WyoTech students. And then qualifying begins with two sessions, one that afternoon and the other early in the evening. Two more qualifying attempts come Saturday, followed by Sunday’s all-important eliminations racing.
“We’ve run pretty well thus far this season,” Johnson noted. “We notched our first six second run during the Gatornationals in March, and I’m hoping for a repeat performance this coming weekend.
“Atlanta Dragway is essentially our home track, and I’ll admit we’ve sometimes struggled there, but I think this weekend’s going to be different. I don’t like to make predictions, but I will say that we’re ready, our Snap-on Tools Suzuki is ready, so anything could happen.”
Steve Johnson Gearing Up For Another Busy Week With Appearances Scheduled From Oklahoma To Georgia Before Racing Begins In Atlanta
BIRMINGHAM, AL 4/23/07 Snap-on Tools Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Steve Johnson has another busy week ahead of him before qualifying begins for the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals this coming Friday. “I’m heading to the airport right now,” he said in preparation for a flight to Oklahoma City. “I love the life I’m living,” he added, “but it does get hectic just trying to keep all of the appearances in order. It’d be kind of embarrassing if I showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time!”
Here’s just part of Johnson’s schedule for the rest of the week. Later today he’ll make four personal appearances at Oklahoma City area schools where he’ll address the students on the importance of continuing their educations beyond high school in order to meet the demands of an increasingly high tech world. On Tuesday he’ll address a Future Farmers of America gathering in the same city, after which he’ll catch a flight for Atlanta.
Wednesday will be another full day for Johnson as he’ll be testing his Snap-on Tools Suzuki at a track near Atlanta Dragway, site of next weekend’s NHRA POWERade Series national event.
“Our crew chief, Mark Peiser, has made some changes to our Suzuki,” Johnson said, “and I’m eager to see how things work on the track. Tim Kulungian and Richie Wiley, our mechanics, also want to see how everything goes, because we’re hoping to improve our points position this coming weekend.”
Following two of 15-races on the NHRA POWERade tour, Johnson is tied for sixth place in the standings, just four points out of fifth and only eight behind the rider in fourth place. “I’m hoping we can make a big move up this coming weekend,” he said.
After a full day of testing Wednesday, Johnson has a couple of TV interviews slated for Thursday morning, after which he’ll fly back to Talladega where he’ll be a guest at the Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony featuring six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson.
“Warren’s one of the most highly respected and accomplished competitors in drag racing,” Johnson said. “We’ve got the same last name, and even though we aren’t related, maybe some of his championship-winning ways will rub off on me. Hey, a guy can always hope, ya know!”
Early Friday Johnson will be winging his way back to Atlanta, and then on to Commerce, Georgia, site of Atlanta Dragway and the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals. Once at the track he’ll participate in the NHRA Youth & Education Services program for youngsters, and will also host Pit tours with future WyoTech students. And then qualifying begins with two sessions, one that afternoon and the other early in the evening. Two more qualifying attempts come Saturday, followed by Sunday’s all-important eliminations racing.
“We’ve run pretty well thus far this season,” Johnson noted. “We notched our first six second run during the Gatornationals in March, and I’m hoping for a repeat performance this coming weekend.
“Atlanta Dragway is essentially our home track, and I’ll admit we’ve sometimes struggled there, but I think this weekend’s going to be different. I don’t like to make predictions, but I will say that we’re ready, our Snap-on Tools Suzuki is ready, so anything could happen.”
