Clermont,Ind. (Sept. 3, 2011) – Mopar® Dodge Avenger NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson wrapped up the third of five qualifying sessions scheduled for the 57th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway listed at No. 13 and will have some work to do to make the field in the final two qualifying sessions tomorrow.
Johnson was eighth after the single qualifying round yesterday, recording a 6.707-second pass at 207.72 mph despite scorching track temps of 124 degrees. Conditions were even hotter (129 degrees) for Johnson’s first attempt on Saturday, but the Greeneville,Tenn. native nonetheless jumped to No. 6 with a 6.691/207.78 effort.
The track cooled down significantly for the final qualifying pass of the day, but Johnson’s Mopar Dodge shook the tires and slowed to a 6.733/207.56 pass, leaving Johnson in the No. 13 position. According to NHRA rules, only the top 12 elapsed times are recorded provisionally heading into the final day of qualifying, meaning Johnson is not locked into the Pro Stock field.
“I’m not happy at all,” said Johnson. “We’re struggling a little bit. We’ll go out there tomorrow, hold our chins up and go for it and do the best that we can do.”
Johnson and his J&J Racing crew may have to deal with entirely different track conditions tomorrow, as cooler weather is in the forecast for the Indianapolis area.
“We’ve got a lot of data, and a lot of good notes, and we’ll rely on them tomorrow to make the changes we need to do in order to adapt to weather," said Johnson. "Hopefully we can move up tomorrow.”
Mopar-powered Pro Stock driver V. Gaines had a strong pass in the second qualifying session today and currently holds the provisional No. 7 spot with a 6.664 elapsed time. Vincent Nobile is No. 8 in his Mountain View Dodge with a 6.666 effort. In NHRA Funny Car qualifying Matt Hagan, driving a Dodge Charger R/T with special Mopar graphics, is No. 11. His Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammates and fellow Mopar-powered Funny Car drivers Ron Capps, Johnny Gray and Jack Beckman are fourth, eighth and twelfth, respectively.
Johnson was eighth after the single qualifying round yesterday, recording a 6.707-second pass at 207.72 mph despite scorching track temps of 124 degrees. Conditions were even hotter (129 degrees) for Johnson’s first attempt on Saturday, but the Greeneville,Tenn. native nonetheless jumped to No. 6 with a 6.691/207.78 effort.
The track cooled down significantly for the final qualifying pass of the day, but Johnson’s Mopar Dodge shook the tires and slowed to a 6.733/207.56 pass, leaving Johnson in the No. 13 position. According to NHRA rules, only the top 12 elapsed times are recorded provisionally heading into the final day of qualifying, meaning Johnson is not locked into the Pro Stock field.
“I’m not happy at all,” said Johnson. “We’re struggling a little bit. We’ll go out there tomorrow, hold our chins up and go for it and do the best that we can do.”
Johnson and his J&J Racing crew may have to deal with entirely different track conditions tomorrow, as cooler weather is in the forecast for the Indianapolis area.
“We’ve got a lot of data, and a lot of good notes, and we’ll rely on them tomorrow to make the changes we need to do in order to adapt to weather," said Johnson. "Hopefully we can move up tomorrow.”
Mopar-powered Pro Stock driver V. Gaines had a strong pass in the second qualifying session today and currently holds the provisional No. 7 spot with a 6.664 elapsed time. Vincent Nobile is No. 8 in his Mountain View Dodge with a 6.666 effort. In NHRA Funny Car qualifying Matt Hagan, driving a Dodge Charger R/T with special Mopar graphics, is No. 11. His Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammates and fellow Mopar-powered Funny Car drivers Ron Capps, Johnny Gray and Jack Beckman are fourth, eighth and twelfth, respectively.
