Allen Johnson No. 12 at NHRA Arizona Nationals
PHOENIX, Ariz. (February 25, 2017) – Marathon Petroleum Co./J&J Racing Dodge Dart driver Allen Johnson qualified No. 12 at the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. The 2012 Pro Stock world champion came to Wild Horse Motorsports Park as a man on a mission with his eyes set on one goal: outperforming his competition on raceday.
On Friday, Johnson began qualifying with a solid 6.592-second pass at 209.62 mph. The popular Pro Stock competitor bettered his standings when he crossed the finish line with an improved 6.583, 209.36 in the second session.
In Saturday’s first session, Johnson was on a smooth, clean run until he began to experience engine troubles. Being able to sense the engine giving, Johnson clicked off the engine and coasted to the finish line with a 7.293, 135.76. Johnson closed out qualifying with a 6.601, 208.97.
“When we hurt the engine in the third session, we had to put in a new one right before the final run,” Johnson admitted. “We missed the tune-up a little bit when we went up there but luckily, we’ve still got a little left in it. We’ll keep digging in our Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart.”
Johnson’s qualifying efforts landed him in the No. 12 spot and it’ll be a battle of the former Pro Stock world champions when he takes on Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the first round Sunday morning.
“Jeg is always tough competition,” he said. “We’ll have to make our best run and I’ll make sure to be on my game to give our Marathon Petroleum team a shot at the win tomorrow.”