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Johnson Sees Qualifying Streak End at Reading
Mon, 24 Aug 2009, 09:54 PM
Mopar(R)-powered J&J Racing NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock teammates Allen Johnson and Johnny Gray
had two drastically different outings at the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa. Johnson,
driver of the Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T, saw his 61-race qualifying streak come to an end
on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Reading, while Gray drove his Mopar HEMI(R)-powered car to a first-ever
Pro Stock runner-up finish on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Maple Grove Raceway.
Rain shortened the qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, allowing Johnson only two shots at
cracking the field at Reading. The Team Mopar driver was unable to get down the strip on his two
passes, ending a qualifying streak that dated back to the 2007 Gainesville event. Despite missing
Sunday eliminations, Johnson remains fifth in the NHRA Pro Stock standings and has already clinched
his spot in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs.
Water seepage on the track also caused delays during Sunday eliminations, but Gray was able to
overcome any difficulties presented by Mother Nature. He advanced to his first Pro Stock final,
besting Rodger Brogdon, Greg Anderson, and Kurt Johnson before losing to Jeg Coughlin. Gray picked
the perfect time for his first finals appearance, as he continues to battle Warren Johnson for the
10th and final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Gray now trails Warren Johnson by just nine
markers.
Next up is the final race of the NHRA regular season, the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at
O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Sept. 2-7. For more info on the NHRA, visit http://http://www.nhra.com.
Courtesy of Darren Jacobs
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