Allen Johnson

Following an off-season full of moves to enhance his Mopar/J&J Racing team, Allen Johnson opened the year with a win at the annual Las Vegas Pro Stock Showdown at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson bolstered his program with the additions of Johnny Gray as a racing teammate and Jeff Perley as a tuner to his already talented cast. He ran a 6.70 in the final round to defeat reigning NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin.

"Maybe we need to do this at all the special races," said Johnson,
who also won last year's NHRA K&N Horsepower Challenge. "I think we have a really good team of folks. If I do my job, I think we can win some races and get in position to win the championship."

Cool temperatures and good track conditions paved the way for performances such as Coughlin's low e.t. of 6.683 seconds, which is two-hundredths quicker than the official track record and two-thousandths quicker than his class-leading e.t. at last year's event. Consistent, fast performances from Coughlin and Johnson throughout the test session proved that they had two of the best cars on the premises.

"We've been testing a lot of different things this weekend, even in the final, but we didn't get way off base," said Johnson. "We're here to get faster for Pomona. We're not content right now, but I think we'll be in pretty good shape."

Johnson, far lane, defeated Coughlin in the final round, 6.70 to 6.74.

Johnson beat Greg Stanfield in the semifinals, 6.71 to 6.74.

Coughlin defeated Tom Hammonds on a 6.72 to 6.71 semifinal holeshot.

Johnson's road to the final began with a single when opponent Frank Gugliotta missed the call, and he took full advantage by running a 6.70 flat, his quickest pass of the event. He ran a 6.73 in the second round against V. Gaines, who red-lighted away a 6.74. Johnson took care of No. 2 qualifier Greg Stanfield in the semifinals in a competitive 6.71 to 6.74 drag race. In the final, Johnson overcame a slight holeshot disadvantage against Coughlin to win with a fine 6.704 at 205.04 mph to Coughlin's 6.74.

"As a driver, you like a race like this to hone your skills," said Johnson. "I was happy with a .03 light; I meant to be a low .020, but I'm getting back to having that eye of the tiger after going through a slump in the middle of last year."

Coughlin's Jegs.com Chevy Cobalt was strong on race day. Coughlin, who won this event last year, was the only driver to reach the 6.6-second range, which he did twice with a pair of 6.68s. The four-time world champ was happy with the results of his new Todd Bevis-built chassis.

"We had a really good weekend," said Coughlin. "We've made 12 runs with this car, and 11 of them were good enough to learn from. The track came around in the final, and we just weren't ready for it. It's nice to get back here at the racetrack with the smell and the fumes to get your competitive juices flowing."

Coughlin, the No. 1 qualifier, beat Bob Yonke in the first round and singled in round two before engaging in the race of the event with Tom Hammonds. Hammonds was second off the line with an .026 light, and Coughlin barely held on for a holeshot win, 6.72 to 6.71. Racers were impressed with the progress of Hammonds' Race For Achievement team.

"Coming out with a new car and the progression of our engine program have really turned this around," said Hammonds, a retired NBA player. "I think we can be very competitive this season. This weekend has given us a shot in the arm."

Round one
Johnny Gray (.097) 6.745, 204.45 def. Ron Krisher (no-show)
V. Gaines (.015) 6.733, 203.71 def. Bob Panella Jr. (.054) 6.755, 203.98
Rickie Jones (.058) 6.746, 204.17 def. Jerry Haas (.037) 6.828, 201.79
Tom Hammonds (.041) 6.709, 205.07 def. David Beckley (.106) 6.802, 202.27
Allen Johnson (.038) 6.700, 205.41 def. Frank Gugliotta (no-show)
Greg Stanfield (.032) 6.741, 204.91 def. Rodger Brogdon (.039) 6.913, 198.76
Jeg Coughlin (.028) 6.686, 205.91 def. Bob Yonke (-.073 foul) 6.913, 198.58

Round two
Stanfield (.014) 6.762, 204.57 def. Gray (.090) 6.762, 204.39
Hammonds (.019) 6.719, 204.98 def. Jones (.036) 6.810, 204.01
Johnson (.055) 6.735, 204.76 def. Gaines (-.101 foul) 6.743, 204.14
Coughlin (.021) 6.717, 205.41 (bye)

Semifinals
Johnson (.043) 6.718, 205.41 def. Stanfield (.036) 6.747, 204.57
Coughlin (.007) 6.726, 205.66 def. Hammonds (.026) 6.718, 205.10

Final
Johnson (.039) 6.704, 205.04 def. Coughlin (.024) 6.744, 204.79