Johnson continues Pro Stock dominance with Sonoma track record and win

Allen Johnson raced to his fourth Pro Stock win of the season, beating four-time world champ Greg Anderson in the final round at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, Calif., on July 29. Johnson, who will have a chance to sweep the three-race Western Swing in Seattle next week, won from the top qualifying position with a final round effort of 6.542 at 211.76 in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger, overcoming a near perfect reaction time from Anderson, who trailed with a 6.573 at 210.93 in his Summit Racing Chevy Camaro.

“We’ve got an awesome race car and a great team making decisions,” Johnson said. “It’s a sweet feeling knowing every time you go up there you are going to be the fastest car. You just have to be consistent as a driver. I was able to do that today and hopefully I can carry that on into Seattle.”

Johnson used a consistent string of low 6.50s to beat early round opponents Matt Hartford, fellow Mopar racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Jason Line. He also had the quicker reaction time in each round except the final.

“We’re learning how to win, round by round by round,” the Tennessee racer said. “And we’re taking it one round at a time.”

Johnson, who increased his series lead to 54 points over Anderson, feels confident that he can become the eighth driver to sweep the swing and only the second Pro Stock driver to accomplish the rare feat, joining Anderson (2004).

“I can’t imagine winning two in a row and we’ve done it with earning maximum points,” Johnson said. “Every round of qualifying and eliminations we had the quickest car. It’s mind-boggling to me. We are getting in the championship mind set. I’ve never thought of myself as the best out here. So I have to start thinking that way and get my confidence up so we can get ready for the Countdown.”

On Saturday, Johnson powered his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger to a track record time of 6.517 seconds at 212.09 to earn his fifth No. 1 qualifying position in a row and his third consecutive top qualifying effort at Sonoma.

The week before Johnson was just one of several Mopar drivers to do well at Bandimere Raceway outside of Denver. See all of the results from the Mopar Mile-High Nationals in our in-depth Event Coverage. (Joe McHugh photo) [8/2/2012]