Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson No. 7 at AAA FallNationals

DALLAS, Tex. (October 15, 2016) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart team jumped to the No.7 spot after four rounds of competitive qualifying at the 31st annual AAA FallNationals.

On Friday, Johnson opened up qualifying with a stout 6.610-second pass at 209.49 mph. The red, white and blue Marathon Petroleum Dart showed that consistency is the name of the game with a 6.613, 208.88 in Friday’s second session.

Johnson and the Adam Hornberger-led team clocked in with a 6.637, 208.17 in the first session on Saturday. Johnson came to the final session and crossed the finish line with a 6.637, 207.94.

“We ran a new motor configuration today and made a couple good runs to prepare and do a little testing for next year,” Johnson said. “We will probably put the first motor back in tomorrow try to prove a point with this motor. Both motors we ran this weekend at Texas Motorplex are good, we’re just here to find a little more horsepower.”

No. 7 Allen Johnson will pick his lane over No. 10 Kenny Delco tomorrow morning.

“For one, I need to do my job as a driver tomorrow,” he added. “Second, our Marathon Petroleum Dart needs to keep consistent and that’s how we’ll win tomorrow.”

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Hoping Dyno Work Since Reading Pays Dividends Going into Dallas

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (October 11, 2016) – Marathon Petroleum Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson will head to Texas Motorplex this weekend for the 31st annual AAA FallNationals for the 22nd of 24 events in the 2016 season. After a troubled three-in-a-row, Johnson has been doing a lot of dyno work to regain his winning ways and end the season on a high note.

“We had a lot of bad luck in the first three races of the Countdown,” Johnson said. “All three races we had problems and hopefully we’ve gotten rid of the bad luck and we can finish up the last three on a really strong note.”

Johnson won this event most recently in 2012 during his Pro Stock World Championship winning season after he took out Erica Enders in the final round.

“Getting that custom cowboy hat in Dallas after the win will always be a top memory for me when we got to Texas Motorplex,” he added. “I’d like to get another one this year!”

Qualifying at the 31st annual AAA FallNationals will begin on Friday, October 14th with two sessions at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. Two more sessions will be on Saturday, October 15th at 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. Eliminations for the event will be on Sunday, October 16th at 11:00 a.m. starting with Top Fuel.

Weather Cancels All but One Qualifying at Reading, Allen Johnson Qualifies in Top Half

READING, Pa. (October 1, 2016) – Only one session of qualifying was completed at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend at the 32nd annual Dodge Nationals but that was all Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing driver Allen Johnson and his team needed to make a solid run and get into the top half for lane choice during tomorrow’s first round of eliminations.

Both Friday qualifying sessions were cancelled due to the persistent mist. On Saturday morning, Johnson was able to warm up his Dodge Dart and actually put it to the track when he clocked in with a 6.597-second pass at 210.64 mph. A second session on Saturday was attempted but due to increasingly colder temperatures, NHRA made the decision to call it a day and set the ladder for Sunday’s more promising weather forecasted day.

“I don’t think we made a very good run on our only run but I think we’ve got enough information that we can correct it for tomorrow,” Johnson said.

Johnson qualified No. 7 and will pick his lane tomorrow morning in the first round against Alan Prusiensky.

“We’ve got a veteran team that’ll set up this Marathon Petroleum Dart.”

First round is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, October 2nd starting with Top Fuel.

Allen Johnson Leaves St. Louis with Sights Set on Regaining Momentum in Reading

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (September 27, 2016) – Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson has had a slower than expected start to his Countdown to the Championship efforts but with four races left, the dream is still alive for the 2012 Pro Stock World Champion to be the last man standing at the conclusion of the season. Johnson is hoping the 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals is just the right place to grab the momentum the team had in the regular season.

“I still think we have a great racecar even thought we’ve lost early in the last two races,” Johnson said. “We’ve just got to make better decisions every single run and that’s what we’ll do in Reading. It’s always cold in Reading and we have a decent setup for that. When I think about Reading, I think about it being cold and we’re gonna go fast.”

Qualifying at the 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, September 30th with two sessions at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. Two more qualifying sessions will be on Saturday, October 1st at 11:15 and 2:45 p.m. Eliminations begin at noon on Sunday, October 2nd.

Allen Johnson No. 9 at AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals in Marathon Petroleum Dodge

MAIDSON, Ill. (September 24, 2016) – In humid air and track temperatures this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park, Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum team qualified No. 9 at the Fifth annual AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals.

On Friday, Johnson started out qualifying with a solid 6.669-second pass at 206.95 putting him in the middle of the pack. Johnson returned on Friday evening and made a big move up the qualifying list when he clocked in with a 6.625, 208.46. Continue reading Allen Johnson No. 9 at AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals in Marathon Petroleum Dodge →

Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Race Preview: AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (September 20, 2016) – Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing’s Allen Johnson heads to the Fifth annual AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals this weekend. Johnson has been to the finals three times at Gateway Motorsports Park, most recently in 2012.

“I’ve runnered-up there a few times but have never quite sealed the deal,” Johnson said about his past history at St. Louis.

The Countdown to the Championship started last weekend at zMAX Dragway and ignited a three-in-a-row for the first half of the Countdown.

“I think it separates the men from the boys,” Johnson said about the three-in-a-row. “We’ve got a lot of experience on this Marathon Petroleum team and I think that’ll work in our favor more than anything.”

Qualifying at the Fifth annual AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals will begin on Friday, September 23rd with two qualifying sessions at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. Qualifying continues on Saturday, September 24th with two more sessions at 1:45 and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 25th starting with Top Fuel.

Early Exit Has Allen Johnson Looking Forward to St. Louis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 18, 2016) – Allen Johnson is putting the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals in his rear view mirror after a first round loss at zMAX Dragway.

Johnson qualified in the No. 6 spot and had lane choice over Jeg Coughlin. In the hottest day of the weekend, Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to a 6.703-second pass at 207.98 mph. Unfortunately, his 6.70 pass wasn’t enough to hold off Coughlin’s 6.687, 206.76.

“Not the start we wanted but we were consistent all weekend,” Johnson said. “We hurt one of our motors yesterday and we just missed the setup today. You don’t want a first round loss in the Countdown but we’ve got plenty of races to make it up. We just are starting in a little bit of a hole but I know this Marathon Petroleum team will get out of it.”

The next event will be the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals next weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Marathon’s Allen Johnson Looking Forward to Hot Raceday Track Conditions for First Race of the Countdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 17, 2016) – If there’s one word to describe Allen Johnson and his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team’s 2016 season, it’d be consistency. Qualifying this weekend at the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals was no different as Johnson qualified in the top half in the No. 6 spot at zMAX Dragway.

For Friday’s first session, Johnson clocked in with a 6.614-second pass at 208.55 mph placing him solidly in the No. 5 position. The importance of lane choice on raceday is crucial and Johnson was searching to find a tune-up in the humid track conditions on Friday in hopes of helping him on raceday. For the second session, Johnson clocked in with an improved 6.603, 209.01 but remained No. 5.

On Saturday, Johnson and his Adam Hornberger-tuned Dodge Dart ran a 6.610, 209.04 in the first session and then experienced engine trouble in the final session when Johnson lost power near the top end; this pass resulted in a 6.673-second pass at a slowed 194.35 mph.

“We’ve got the car working really good besides that last qualifying run,” Johnson said. “It’s running well but we’re not running the back half like we should. I think the tune-up is a little off there but overall, the car is running good on the hot racetrack and the Marathon Petroleum team is happy.”

Johnson closed out qualifying in the No. 6 spot and will have lane choice over No. 11 Jeg Coughlin tomorrow in the first round of eliminations. The weather forecast for raceday is a blistering 90-degrees and although most teams would be intimidated by the high temperatures, Johnson and his team welcome the heat.

“We’ve got the setup for the heat,” he added. “We came here last week and tested in 98-degree weather at zMAX so we know how to tune for it. This Marathon Petroleum Dart is going to run well tomorrow.”

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.” Continue reading After Indy Final Round, Allen Johnson Feels Hopeful for First Race of Countdown at zMAX Dragway →

Allen Johnson’s Captivating Driving Performance Advances Marathon Dart to Final Round at U.S. Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 5, 2016) – Allen Johnson raced to his 59th final round of his career at the 62nd annual U.S. Nationals this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. On his way to the finals, he defeated Drew Skillman, Greg Anderson and Shane Gray.

In the first round, No. 7 Johnson had lane choice over No. 10 Drew Skillman. Johnson bolted off the starting line with a .012-second reaction time and with that starting line advantage, it was enough to take the holeshot victory over Skillman; Johnson clocked in with a 6.668-second pass at 206.83 against Skillman’s 6.666, 208.65.

For second round, Johnson knew another starting line advantage would be crucial in beating Greg Anderson. Johnson bettered his first round reaction time with a .009-second start and with .035-second advantage, his 6.683, 207.21 turned on the win light over Anderson’s quicker but losing 6.655, 207.91.

In the semifinals, Johnson had tough competition in opponent Shane Gray. Johnson once again took control at the starting line and drove past Gray at the finish line on a holeshot win; Johnson clocked in with a 6.701, 206.35 against Gray’s 6.673, 208.17 and earned his third holeshot win of the day.

As the remaining Mopar driver at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, he wanted nothing more than to defeat a Chevrolet-powered car in the finals. Johnson and Chris McGaha left the line and Johnson ran a consistent 6.715, 207.08 but he wasn’t able to advance to the winner circle over McGaha’s 6.688, 207.15.

“We had a ball at Indy this year,” Johnson beamed despite a final round loss. “We have momentum on our side and I can’t wait to battle for the Countdown. Our Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dart is lookin’ good just in time for the Countdown.”

Allen Johnson Eyeing Top Spot at U.S. Nationals

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2016) – The 62nd annual U.S. Nationals is the most prestigious race on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, and Marathon Petroleum Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson is looking to ink his name in the history books with a win this weekend.

The Adam Hornberger-lead team has undeniably stepped up their game in their engine program when Johnson qualified No. 3 at the last event in Brainerd, Minnesota – the highest qualifying position of their 2016 season. The upswing in performance has come at the right time as they head into the last event of the regular season. Continue reading Allen Johnson Eyeing Top Spot at U.S. Nationals →

ALLEN JOHNSON
MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
QUALIFYING REPORT: 62ND ANNUAL U.S. NATIONALS
LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS
SEPTEMBER 2-5

Allen Johnson Begins U.S. Nationals Quest from No. 7 Spot

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 4, 2016) – The U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway sets the stage for one of the biggest drag racing events in the world. Allen Johnson will begin raceday tomorrow in the No. 7 spot. Continue reading Allen Johnson Begins U.S. Nationals Quest from No. 7 Spot →

ALLEN JOHNSON
MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
EVENT PREVIEW: 62ND ANNUAL CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS
LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS
SEPT. 2-5

Allen Johnson Eyeing Top Spot at U.S. Nationals

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2016) – The 62nd annual U.S. Nationals is the most prestigious race on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, and Marathon Petroleum Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson is looking to ink his name in the history books with a win this weekend.

The Adam Hornberger-lead team has undeniably stepped up their game in their engine program when Johnson qualified No. 3 at the last event in Brainerd, Minnesota – the highest qualifying position of their 2016 season. The upswing in performance has come at the right time as they head into the last event of the regular season. Continue reading Allen Johnson Eyeing Top Spot at U.S. Nationals →

ALLEN JOHNSON
MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
RACE REPORT: 35TH ANNUAL LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS
BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
AUGUST 19-21

Mechanical Mistake Results in Quarterfinal Loss for Marathon’s Allen Johnson

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 21, 2016) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the second round of eliminations today at the 35th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

Johnson entered raceday in the No. 3 spot – the highest the Marathon Petroleum driver has qualified in 2016. Johnson chose the preferred left lane for his first round matchup against Mark Hogan. Johnson had .152-second advantage over Hogan at the launch and carried it all the way to the finish line. Johnson’s 6.605-second pass at 208.97 mph advanced over Hogan’s 6.776, 202.88.

Second round, Johnson had lane choice over fellow Dodge driver Erica Enders. Johnson launched with a consistent to first round reaction time and around half track, he experienced mechanical issues that plagued the run. Johnson slowed to a 6.732, 189.34 and Ender’s advanced with a 6.656, 207.40.

“We’ve got a good motor and a good car,” Johnson said. “We just made a mechanical boo-boo but our car is heading to Indy the best it’s ever run. We plan on testing in St. Louis on the way to Indy with another tune-up package and hopefully we can make the points and a half at Indy count.”

The next event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The event will be held on August 31st to September 5th.

National Record and Pole for Mopar’s Hagan in NHRA Brainerd Qualifying, 50th Win for Capps

· Matt Hagan powers Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T to pole on national record-setting run
· No. 1 is third season for Hagan, 10th of year for Mopar
· Mopar DSR driver Ron Capps claims delayed NHRA Northwestern Nationals trophy in Brainerd qualifying
· Win is milestone 50th of Capps’ NHRA nitro career, ninth of season for Mopar in NHRA Funny Car competition
· DSR Top Fuel drivers Leah Pritchett, Tony Schumacher qualify well in top half
· Pritchett effectively protecting position in top 10 for chance to race for Mello Yello Series Top Fuel championship
· Schumacher records career best numbers in HEMI®-powered U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
· Erica Enders looks to defend 2015 Brainerd title in Mopar Performance Dodge Dart Pro Stock car
· Magneti Marelli Offeredy by Mopar Dodge Dart pilot Jeg Coughlin Jr. Brainerd’s most decorated currently competing Pro Stock driver
· Pro Stock’s Allen Johnson qualifies season-high No. 3 in Mopar-powered Dodge Dart Continue reading National Record and Pole for Mopar’s Hagan in NHRA Brainerd Qualifying, 50th Win for Capps →

Allen Johnson Catapults Marathon Petroleum Dart to No. 3 Spot

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 20, 2016) – Allen Johnson will be competing for his first Brainerd win of his career from the No. 3 position – the highest the team has qualified in the 2016 season. The Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart driver will have lane choice over Mark Hogan in the first round. Continue reading Allen Johnson Catapults Marathon Petroleum Dart to No. 3 Spot →

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. Continue reading Allen Johnson Clinches Spot in Countdown, Aiming for More Wins Before Points Reset →

ALLEN JOHNSON
MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
RACE REPORT: 29TH ANNUAL PROTECT THE HARVEST NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL
PACIFIC RACEWAYS
AUGUST 5-7

Marathon’s Allen Johnson Leaving Western Swing Feeling Like Top Player in Class Despite Second Round Loss

SEATTLE, Wash. (August 7, 2016) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the second round of eliminations at the 29th annual Protect The Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.

Entering Sunday in the No. 5 spot, Johnson had lane choice over fellow Dodge driver Deric Kramer in the first round. Johnson clocked in with a 6.564-second pass at 210.90 and took the win over Kramer’s 6.652, 207.27.

Johnson lost lane choice in the second round to Jason Line and was put in the right lane which seemed to be troubling for other competitors in the class. In one of the closest races of the round, Johnson ran a 6.566, 209.62 and by barely a fender, Line took the win with a 6.543, 210.77.

“We’re made a great run in that second round. Greg and Jason just dig down when they need to and get that little extra. They did what they needed to do and threw at it at the track and it worked. For the western swing, we participated in eight rounds out of twelve and I think that’s pretty good. I think we’re right there with the top guys and we’re gelling for the Countdown. We’ve got some new stuff coming in Brainerd and maybe that’ll get us over the hump and they’ll be chasing us!”

The next event on the NHRA Mello Yello Tour will be hosted at Brainerd International Raceway for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals On August 18th.

ALLEN JOHNSON
MARATHON PETROLEUM/J&J RACING DODGE DART
QUALIFYING REPORT: 29TH ANNUAL PROTECT THE HARVEST NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL
PACIFIC RACEWAYS
AUGUST 5-7

Allen Johnson Running His Own Race Going into Raceday at Northwest Nationals

SEATTLE, Wash. (August 6, 2016) – In the final race of the Western Swing, Allen Johnson and his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team qualified No. 5 at Pacific Raceways at the 29th annual Protect The Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Continue reading Allen Johnson Running His Own Race Going into Raceday at Northwest Nationals →