When talking top drivers in Pro Stock, Allen Johnson’s name has long been in the mix, but never has his name come up so often in such conversations as it has this year. A series of moves in the off-season designed to strengthen every aspect of his program, from the addition of co-crew chief Jeff Perley to Johnson himself working to improve his driving, has generated a lot of buzz around the Mopar driver and propelled him to front-runner status alongside the powerhouse KB Racing and Cagnazzi Racing teams. It’s a role Johnson welcomes and believes is definitely warranted.

“The added attention is great,” said Johnson, who has five national event wins and has finished as high as fourth in the standings, including last season. “I think we’ve always been in a position [to be a championship contender]; we just never stepped up to the next level. Now, we have. Personnel-wise, we’ve stepped up to the next level, and Mopar and that program, engineering-wise, has stepped up to the next level. I enjoy the added expectations, and all I have to do is my job.”

The most visible change to Johnson’s team for 2009 is the addition of Perley, who joins the team as co-crew chief alongside Mark Ingersoll. Perley brings a proven track record of success, having served as co-crew chief with Rob Downing during the four championship seasons at KB Racing (2003-06). Perley also worked with Kurt Johnson’s team for a number of years, and the skills he gained from those experiences combined with the proven talents of Ingersoll, one of the most well-respected crew chiefs in the Pro Stock pits, gives Johnson a potent 1-2 punch at the track.

“Mark Ingersoll and Jeff Perley are two of the most non-egotistical people that you could ever meet, and that in itself has made their working relationship from day one perfect,” said Johnson. “They both respect one another, and together, they just really form a great team. They get along with everyone on the team real well, and both of their work ethics are just real strong.”

Allen Johnson's father, Roy, heads the engine department and works closely with co-crew chiefs Mark Ingersoll and Jeff Perley in support of his son.

But the addition of Perley is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to changes at the Johnson camp. The engine department, headed by Johnson’s father, Roy, has also added personnel, and the team has added to the machinery and equipment departments to strengthen those areas as well.

Many of these changes are due in large part to another thing that will help strengthen Johnson’s team further: the addition of engine-leasing customers/quasi-teammates Johnny Gray and Vinnie Deceglie, who not only give the team the added influx of funds but more data to use for fine-tuning.

“Last year, we had Justin Humphreys for five or six races and had Vinnie Deceglie for about 10, and it really was just too much,” said Johnson. “When we signed up Johnny Gray for the entire year of ’09, we just thought that we needed to go out and get some more talent and help and hopefully make our car better and more consistent, too. That was the main thing behind [adding people to the team].”

In addition to the changes with the car, Johnson has been working on himself. He readily admits that his driving, particularly his reaction times, was a big weakness for the team last season, and he has been working hard in recent months to correct that.

“I’ve been doing mental and physical conditioning,” said Johnson. “I’ve really worked hard in the gym all winter and every day now. I’ve really worked on just getting back on my game as far as the mental approach to it and enjoying the competition and enjoying the challenge. I love the competition. That makes it fun, and that’s when I step up.”

All of this has Johnson extremely excited and very optimistic about the year and what his team can do.

“Our goal is the championship and to win several races along the way,” said Johnson. “I think we can win more than five races this year. I just feel like our program’s strong. I feel I’ve really worked on my game in the last six months, and every part of the team is really strong. The engine department, headed by my dad, is strong, and the machinery and equipment departments are definitely accomplishing their jobs. Those things are definitely paying dividends in addition to the crew chiefs. I just think we’re primed to do this.”