After Indy Final Round, Allen Johnson Feels Hopeful for First Race of Countdown at zMAX Dragway

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (September 13, 2016) – The Countdown to the Championship is upon the drivers in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as they head into the 19th of 24 events on tour. Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson is coming off a spectacular raceday at Indy two weeks ago as a result of outdriving his competition with three holeshot wins in a row on his way to the finals. Despite not winning at the last event, doing well at Indy was exactly the momentum Johnson always talks about needing as he proceeds into the Countdown.

“We’ve been testing a lot of stuff with our tune-up the last few months to get ready for the Countdown and I feel like we’ve got a good base combination to work off of in Charlotte,” Johnson said. “We didn’t run how we wanted in Indy and we don’t really understand why but I feel like we’ve got all the pieces we need to do well the next six races.”

With the points reset after Indy, the final events in 2016 will be more cutthroat than ever as ten competent racers vie for their shot at the Pro Stock World Championship. Heading into the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, Johnson is only 50 points out of first place with 2,060 points.

“Our Marathon Petroleum team would like to have a great start to the Countdown and it’d be cool to get some of the people in front of me in points out early but if it doesn’t happen right away, you can’t get down on yourself for that,” he added. “Anyone in the Countdown has a shot at winning the championship if they win some good races and I believe if we’re consistent like we have been, we have a shot of winning it at the end of the year.”

Qualifying at the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway begins with two qualifying sessions on Friday, September 16th at 3:15 and 5:30 p.m. (ET). Qualifying will continue on Saturday, September 17th with two more qualifying sessions at 12:45 and 3:00 p.m. (ET). Eliminations for the NHRA Carolina Nationals will be held on Sunday, September 18th at 12:00 p.m. starting with Top Fuel.

“It’s our first time with Marathon Petroleum in the Countdown to the Championship and it’s going to be very exciting to show them what it’s all about.”