Allen Johnson Clinches Spot in Countdown, Aiming for More Wins Before Points Reset

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 16, 2016) – Allen Johnson is having a great season so far. The driver of the Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart has already taken home one victory this year and heading into the 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, he’s looking to score a second. Johnson clinched his spot in the Countdown to the Championship after his raceday efforts at Pacific Raceway in Seattle, Washington and the Adam Hornberger-lead team isn’t holding back as they head into the last two races of the regular season.

“Besides going out in second round, I left Seattle feeling like one of the top guys in the class,” Johnson said. “We had a good Western Swing with the win in Denver and our momentum keeps carrying on as we get closer to the Countdown.”

In Johnson’s 27 Pro Stock wins, there have only been eight racetracks on the current NHRA tour that Johnson hasn’t won at and Brainerd is one of those on the list. With new equipment coming into play this weekend and the already established power they have produced in their Greeneville, Tennessee-based shop, Johnson is confident that knocking Brainerd off the list is a big possibility.

“We love going to Brainerd; it’s a pretty place,” Johnson added. “The weather is gonna be cool this weekend and I know the Marathon Petroleum team is capable of going fast.”

Qualifying at the 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, August 19th with two qualifying sessions at 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. Two more qualifying sessions will be held on Saturday, August 20th at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. and eliminations will begin at 11:00 am on Sunday, August 21st.