Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 22, 2017) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart team qualified No. 13 this weekend at the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals.

In the first session on Friday, Johnson clocked in with a 6.656-second pass at 208.84 mph. The Adam Hornberger-led team returned for Friday’s session and crossed the finish line at Royal Purple Raceway with an almost identical 6.656, 208.46.

On Saturday, Johnson improved his qualifying position with a 6.645, 207.94. In the final qualifying session of the weekend, he had trouble at the launch and coasted to the finish line with a 13.028, 82.44.

“We’re consistently fighting to get faster,” Johnson said. “I figure we can try new things, change some stuff and try to get faster or we don’t change a thing and stay slow. We’re trying a lot of things but it’s hard to keep up with it and make good runs. We’re looking for the magic spot for this Marathon Petroleum Co. Dodge Dart.”

No. 13 Johnson will race No. 2 Bo Butner in the first round of eliminations on Sunday morning. The pair has yet to race this year in eliminations.

“I’m very hungry for some round wins,” he added. “I’m going to need to be perfect tomorrow and he’s gonna need to screw up. We’ll never give up and eventually our luck will turn around. I’m hoping it turns around this weekend.”

ALLEN JOHNSON, MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
Qualified: No. 13
ELIMINATIONS
JOHNSON vs. Bo Butner
QUALIFYING
Friday: 6.656-seconds, 208.84 mph (Session 1); 6.656, 208.46 (Session 2)
Saturday: 6.645, 207.94 (Session 3); 13.028, 82.44 (Session 4)