Alan Johnson is in the final stretch of a race he can't afford to lose. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. When Johnson brought over his crew and his full attention, it became plausible. Theyre a great partner of mine in business and they saw the value in the NHRA and our program, and they stepped up and saved the day. He spends a few hours a day in our engine shop, and then a couple hours in the garden. 12x Top Fuel World Championship team . We are in discussions with multiple entities about sponsoring our race team, Johnson said in a statement last week. Little by little I think its coming. Salinas began working with Johnson in some capacity when he. Johnson has funded the team primarily out of his own pocket since al-Anabi departed, albeit with some additional funding from Toyota, as well as celebrity chef Guy Fieris Knuckle Sandwich brand, both long-time partners of AJR. AJPE introduced three versions of the Stage 1 Muscle Head line of Alcohol Hemi cylinder heads early in 2005. Blaine wasnt just any driver. There are a lot of fans who want to see us out here. Obviously, theres a lot of stuff thats happened between then and now, but it sure doesnt seem like its been that long ago, no.. One of the biggest problems last year is that I was working with two teams, but the cars were different, said Johnson. Also in 2013, Al Thani signed a five-year contract extension with Johnson. Thats what it takes and hes going to be a great driver.. With (crew chief) Alan Johnson and Brian (Husen), and what they've brought to the team, we couldn't be more excited." Robert Hight led in Funny Car and Erica Enders in Pro Stock. As designedthe Stage 3 Muscle Head worked well with screw superchargers. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? After the prince, Sheik Khalid Al Thani, formed a team in 2008 with famed drag-racing crew chief Alan Johnson, his team won championships in top fuel the most elite class of dragsters in 2010, 2011 and 2013 with three different drivers. It wasnt a matter of if theyd win championships, it was more how many would they ultimately win had it not been for Blaines tragedy. Furthermore, Chip Ganassi Racing plans to hire one of the 2022 Women In Motorsports interns, Rebecca Hutton, as a full-time engineer upon graduating from college soon. Its one thing to have runs in a Top Fuel car and its another to have runs in a Top Fuel car that runs quick enough to win a championship. In fact, it was one of the darkest years in motorsports history in general. 1980s and 1990s. Hes a racer like me. The inaugural Women In Motorsports internship class was a resounding success as interns explored their interests across motorsports and learned how a team of individuals works together to achieve their collective goals. Im the quarterback. We need Alan Johnson and his drivers.. Not only do we need more cars but we cant in any way afford to lose any of them.. To have another car that you can share data with and compare [is imperative].. Brittany Force took the provisional qualifying lead after that Fridays first session, and with her top performance at the Nitro Spring Training final day of testing at Phoenix, it appeared she was coming into the seasons first race day with a full head of steam. 1 qualifier at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Langdon went on to win the race. As a company seeking to cultivate the next generation of female leaders, we couldnt be more excited to support Women in Motorsports.. Weve always used AJPE [Alan Johnson Performance Engineering] parts and have a long-standing relationship with Alan. At the same time, if theres one weekend that Johnson absolutely hates, its also the same U.S. Nationals for a much more personal reason. Blaine Johnson was a spectacular driver in the NHRAs Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, winning four straight championships (1990-93) and a then-record 26 races (which has since been surpassed). ft. shop for future expansion. I am confident both will make excellent progress and be in the running to win the 2016 NHRA Top Fuel World Championship.. The 27-time NHRA winner loyal to his Mopar HEMI-powered Dodge said, "It's been an amazing run for my dad and I, but it just felt like now was the right time to step away from the Pro Stock chapter of our careers. I needed to get someone who has a program and knows how to run it., He was quick to defend his crew chiefs from last year, saying These were great individuals that ran my dragster., Husen, appealing to Forces love for football, set the parameters for how the deal would work. Alan Johnson is the kingmaker when it comes to making power, and Doug Kalitta is a legendary driver. NHRA: Legendary crew chief Alan Johnson joins Kalitta Motorsports Winner of dozens of races and championships over the years, the master tuner will make his debut with the team in the. His sponsor, Al-Anabi Racing, pulled its sponsorship Dec. 30. 2000 NHRA Pro-Stock head, Billet Small Block head. In one of the most freakish accidents the NHRA has ever seen, a rod bolt broke in the motor in Blaine Johnsons car. Johnson had little time to prepare for this. Alan Reinhart and Joe Castello get ready for 2022 PRO Nitro Spring Training in Arizona 2/8/2022 Watch on WFO Radio has been podcasting interviews with NHRA Drag Racers for over a decade. NHRA/National Dragster Alan Johnson is in the final stretch of a race he can't afford to lose. Johnson issued a statement saying Al Thani had terminated funding and the move was completely unexpected.. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 48 years old? He went from standing with the crowd along the edge of the guardrail-less Southeast racetracks as the cars lined up to an elite racer who financially and morally supports safety on the drag strip and the street. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! Growing up in Indianapolis, motorsports is part of her DNA. In so doing, the resulting back pressure put tremendous strain on the rear tire slicks of Johnsons Top Fuel dragster, causing both of them to explode. With Alans refined tune up and Gary Scelzi behind the wheel, Johnson Racing began an era of dominance winning 3 World Championships between 1997 and 2001 all while developing and testing new products from AJPE. It was arguably two of the darkest days in NHRA history. Hes done a very good job of coming up to speed on that and in Vegas he was flawless. PRIMARY PRODUCTs BILLET ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS Some lost a Son, some a brother, a friend, a competitor, or a co-worker. "I have to give them enough notice so they can get out there and find some work somewhere. Johnson tuned Brittany Force from 2016 to 2018 as a tuning consultant with Brian Husen as crew chief. The PRO pre-season test session scheduled for February 10-12 is the final test. Their days were spent tending to dairy cattle, moving irrigation pipe, and doing their daily chores before and after school. Never a quitter and always pushing to improve helped both the racing program and AJPE shift to another level. I think the Force family realizes that Brittany may need a year or two more before shes a legitimate championship contender. Prudhomme said he concluded that. In 2001, Bernstein competed in the NHRA Top Alcohol Series and eventually won driver of the year honors. Most of the things we learned in Pro Stock have carried over to this class, but its not 100-percent the same. Alan designed the 1st solid Billet cylinder head for the DRCE Oldsmobile engine platform which required the purchase of their first CNC machine. When AJ found out were going to be teammates https://t.co/AGwRXbtW9l https://t.co/4zAUzdHsjq, 2023 Alan Johnson Performance Engineering, Innovative High-Performance Race Engine Components. They're around here thinking we're going to get something and they want to be part of it. After getting a taste of speed, going 270+ mph, he wanted more. Allen Johnson enjoying life in the Factory Stock class 22 Jun 2019 Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor Race coverage Now two years removed from the dog-eat-dog world of NHRA. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. He is not dating anyone. His company, Alan Johnson Performance Engineering, supplies racing parts to roughly 50 percent of todays Top Fuel and Funny Car teams. The initiative was launched one year ago to help drive awareness and support gender equality and economic inclusion for women in the workforce. Force predicted Johnson would rebound despite losing Qatars backing. Johnson is responsible for one Top Fueler this season: the one driven by Salinas. I know they [NHRA Tech Dept.] In 2005 Bernstein won 2 events. After reviewing a magnitude of qualified applications, the following three young women were selected: Each student has demonstrated their passion for motorsports and the pursuit of a career in STEM. is trying to get the rules right so were all competitive but I dont think were there yet. It keeps him thinking. These heads were designed for Blown Alcohol Dragster & Funny Car, NHRA and IHRA Pro-Modified, and a unique concept to the naturally aspirated injected Nitro combination. Behind the Numbers: Who boasts the best shot at making the Countdown to the Championship? But she lost on a first-round holeshot at Pomona to JR Todd. Sierra Canyon proves to be too much for Taft in Division I regional basketball opener, High school soccer: Southern California Regional results and updated pairings, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Clippers still seeking right roster combination as they fall to Timberwolves. He said, we have made some dramatic changes to the car, engine combination, and clutch. But he was quick to say, I think equally important will be our experience with a variety of different drivers over the years and what we can do to help Brittany mature as a driver. Per NHRA rule, the points go with the driver, so he would be eligible to continue in the Countdown If another team wants to put him in another car or a second car, Vestal told NBCSports.com. One was built by JFR and one was built by Morgan Lucas Racing. 5 in 2009 NHRA Full Throttle point standings. MORE NHRA: Alan Johnson Racing moves forward withoutAl-Anabi. Johnson's craft is building and tuning the fastest NHRA dragsters in the world. I've gotten close to so many folks from the brand, including Pietro [Gorlier, head of parts and service for Mopar], who has shown us great support. Alan Johnson and the Johnson family also established a scholarship and has donated over $500,000 of machinery to Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, in Blaines memory. After the Pomona opener, Torrence would say, "Nicely, thank you." . Sep 15, 2015, 12:38 PM. So far, the Torrence performance gains are evident. The guys at Proline are Leaders in the Turbo Pro-Modified classes, setting track records in all corners of the country and abroad. AJ: If you want me to oversee this team and be a consultant, youve got to run my program, because thats all I know. Alan and Blaine moved up to NHRAs professional class of Top Fuel and AJPE purchased their first 5-Axis CNC machine, which allowed them to eliminate the inconsistencies of hand porting while keeping up with the volume of hemi heads needed to campaign a competitive Top Fuel Dragster. If you look at the two teams, the immediate goals are different, Johnson said. But after the sheiks pullout, alBalooshi left the team. Billy Torrence, Force said he has no problem with sharing Johnson. A late 2011 NHRA rule change allowed for a larger intake valve which brought with it a substantial increase in power noted by several teams after initial testing. His drivers have won the Big Go eight times over the years in Top Fuel: five times by Tony Schumacher and single triumphs by Larry Dixon, Gary Scelzi and Shawn Langdon. And we like it that way. I kind of use that as motivation so that when I come back here (to Indy), I kind of try and focus on all that which for some people might be negative energy and try to focus that in a positive way. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 August. But I think thats what makes champions anyway, being able to focus in on what you think you need to do and the things that are right and we thought that was the best thing to do for the fans and ourselves and we did it.. 2004 AJPE Billet Big Block Chevy heads. Johnson did not address Langdon missing the Countdown to the Championship in Tuesday's statement. Gary Scelzi. And if I try to run that program, Id be in the same boat as the other people youve given it to to run. Their differences might possibly make his job easier. Anne Proffit. The nitro ranks will be changed in 2022 and NHRA's Silly Season is fully charged and roaring ahead, with announcements due to come as rapidly as eight cylinders on full song. Johnson doesnt seem conflicted at all about working with two distinct teams. Steve Torrence Racing announced last week that it was welcoming Alan Johnson on as a consultant for the remaining five races of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Let it be, run that way., Shot back Force, signaling his compliance, If I knew how to run it, I wouldnt have hired either one of you.. Now two years removed from the dog-eat-dog world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, Allen Johnson admits that hes living a much simpler life and that suits him just fine. The trio of female college students will receive fully funded internships that provide valuable exposure within the professional motorsports industry. Brandon Bernstein was born on 2 August, 1972 in Texas, United States. Innovation happens when you realize that you have a problem to solve and you need new tools to do it with. Salinas began working with Johnson in some capacity when he returned to Top Fuel racing in 2017 and brought him on full time to begin the 2019 campaign. . But hed give it all up if it meant Blaine was still here. Right now, we're kind of relying on somebody that's got a passion for racing, wants to see us keep going and finds a way to squeeze it out of their budget to keep our team out there.". Johnson and Langdon have regrouped into a one-car team thats entered in this years Winternationals while scrambling to find new sponsors so they can keep racing all season. After reviewing a magnitude of qualified applications, the following three young women were selected: Each student has demonstrated their passion for motorsports and the pursuit of a career in STEM. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. Even though this years U.S. Nationals marked 20 years since Alan Johnson and the rest of his family lost Blaine, its still a wound that has never fully healed with time. With a total re-design and utilizing the new Mazak 5-Axis machine center, AJPE was able to reduce the block weight by 15 pounds over previous versions. The season is young, and Brittany Force has shown flashes of improvement. It so happens that drag racing is popular in Qatar and some other parts of the Middle East theres an Arabian Drag Racing League and Al Thani, who is in his late 20s, has been a fan since he was a teenager. Al-Anabi means Go Team Maroon!. He is currently the GM for Alan Johnson Racing. I really like this [Factory Stock] class and it gives my dad something to do. He went from a drag-racing road diet of bologna and cheese and, as mom Revonda recalled, potted meat and Beanie Weenies to the 2012 banquet table at a swank Los Angeles hotel, where he was feted with champagne and filet mignon as the NHRA Pro Stock champion. Brandon Bernsteins income source is mostly from being a successful . Its all been about innovation. All we can show is what our team's capable of. Thats why Alan Johnson has been part of 11 NHRA championships as either a crew chief or team owner or both with five different drivers: Shawn Langdon (2013), Del Worsham (2011), Larry Dixon (2010), Tony Schumacher (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08) and Gary Scelzi (1997, 98, 2000). Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The AJPE Stage 2 Muscle Head debuted in early 2007. She was the first non-NASCAR recipient of the prestigious Russ Catlin Award and has covered the sport for the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, St. Petersburg Times, and Seattle Times. The AJPE 5.300 bore space Hemi Engine and the Stage 3 Muscle Head all came to life in 2010 and 2011. Carrying the Mopar banner, he won seven times, tied for most with NHRA and class legend Bob Glidden, and advanced to a record 11 final rounds. Its a constant battle. That would go a long way towards making it more even.. 1994 brought several changes to Johnson Racing and AJPE. Ive been there when you find out something last-minute is changing, Schumacher said, adding that he had not talked to Johnson about what happened. In this clip we see both of their masteries, come together to win the round at the 2022 . Our car experts choose every product we feature. Its his way of not only paying tribute to his kid brother, but also serves as a poignant reminder of how quick drag racing really is emotionally, as well, from jubilant celebrations to crashes that occur in split-seconds that tragically result in death. Prock, Pedregon, Anderson, Smith close season with Auto Club Finals titles, Sunday News and Notes from the Auto Club NHRA Finals, Severance, Gordon, D'Agnolo, and Hidalgo clinch Lucas Oil Series Sportsman titles, Professional fields are set for Championship Sunday at Auto Club NHRA Finals, Force, Pedregon, Anderson, and Sampey lead in Pomona after Friday qualifying, High drama in Las Vegas as Force, Hagan, Enders, and Arana Jr. hit the jackpot, Sunday News and Notes from the NHRA Nevada Nationals, Force, Hight, Enders, and Smith top pro qualifiers at NHRA Nevada Nationals, Force, Hight, Stanfield, and Smith, lead Friday qualifying in Las Vegas, Ashley, Capps, Enders keep up the pressure with huge Texas FallNationals victories, Sunday News and Notes from the Texas NHRA FallNationals, Prock, Hagan, Enders, Sampey hold onto Friday leads at Texas NHRA Fallnationals, Texas NHRA FallNationals Saturday preview, Prock, Hagan, Enders, Sampey lead fields after track-record-setting opening day, Torrence, Hight, Enders, and Smith dominate the NHRA Midwest Nationals, Steve Torrence, Robert Hight, Kyle Koretsky, and Matt Smith remain top qualifiers at NHRA Midwest Nationals, Matt Smith, Kyle Koretsky, Robert Hight, and Steve Torrence lead Friday qualifying at NHRA Midwest Nationals, Brown, Capps, Stanfield take championship-crucial wins at Betway Carolina Nationals, Sunday News and Notes from the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals Sunday preview, Ashley, Force, and Enders take top spots heading into Charlotte eliminations day, Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals Saturday preview, Kalitta, Force, and Enders lead Betway Carolina Nationals Friday fields, Allen Johnson enjoying life in the Factory Stock class. 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