Tommy Johnson Jr. lays down track record in qualifying at zMAX Dragway
If at first, you don't succeed; lay down the track record on the next pass.
At least this is how Tommy Johnson, Jr. sees it.
The veteran Funny Car driver piloted the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger Funny Car to the provisional No. 1 position during first day qualifications at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoff series.
Joining Johnson atop their respective qualified fields were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Johnson laid down a track record 3.876 ET at 323.43 mph to beat out teammate and Funny Car No. 1 seed Ron Capps by 0.002 seconds. His 323.43 mph speed also represented the fastest Funny Car run ever at zMax Dragway, the palatial drag strip built on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway.
"We went out in the first session, and we weren't shy. We smoked the tires," Johnson said. "I was aggravated. To go out and do what we did (after), it goes to show how much our team wants this in the Countdown. You have to be aggressive and go out and take this championship. We're really happy with our performance, but we're still shocked our time wasn't beaten."
Top Fuel's Kalitta, nephew of drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, got off to a good start in the Countdown by qualifying on top with a 3.72 ET at 325.77 mph.
Kalitta has been traditionally strong in the regular season but in past seasons has struggled in the playoffs.
"That was exactly what we were looking to do," said Kalitta. "It was exciting to wait down there and then be able to hold on to it. Very proud of the work that Jim O, Troy and the team have put into this Mac Tools Toyota. This is exactly the start we were looking for going into this Countdown."
Brittany Force was second with a 3.729 ET, 324.67 mph run, and Tony Schumacher was third with a 3.730 ET.
Pro Stock was dominated once again by KB Racing as No. 1 seed Jason Line established his Summit Racing Camaro as the car to beat with a 6.581 ET.
Vincent Nobile was second in the trio of Camaros leading the class with a 6.593 ET while Shane Gray was third with a 6.595 ET.
Defending series champion Erica Enders was outside of the top 12 qualifiers with a best ET of 6.678.
"It was a good run for us," Line said. "I think there's probably a little more left. That's the good news. I'm very happy. I can sleep well tonight. All in all, it was a very good day."
Savoie, a Louisiana alligator farmer, was the class of the Pro Stock Motorcycle division as he turned in a 6.850 ET, 195.19 mph pass to pace the 22-bikes in competition during the first day. Fellow Cajun Angelle Sampey was second, followed by Chip Ellis.
"We have a little bit left in us," Savoie said. "We'll find it. We've got some really fast cars out there. You've just got to bring your best and keep on working."
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Bobby Bennett is the Publisher/Editor of CompetitionPlus.com, a leading independent online drag racing magazine, since 1999. For the latest in dragster news worldwide, visit www.competitionplus.com or follow on Twitter @competitionplus
