Johnson, 57, announced his retirement at the end of this season from his 22-year Pro Stock career during a press conference Friday at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at. 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. Never a quitter and always pushing to improve helped both the racing program and AJPE shift to another level. Anytime you can go to the racetrack and get twice as much data as opposed to being a single-car team, its a huge benefit. Were extremely proud to continue making steps toward gender equality in our sport, Chip Ganassi said in a relesae. He is not dating anyone. Column: 15 minutes of fame flies by. They are running the new AJPE developed lightweight hemi block and Stage 3 Muscle Head engine combination. We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week. Hes a consultant to me. 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 getting a taste of speed, going 270+ mph, he wanted more. Just before engines fired to begin the four rounds of eliminations that day, the entire Johnson family stood at the starting line and pointed to the sky. That earned him the nickname "King of the Mountain." AJPE purchased a second Mazak 5-Axis Machining center for the block department to increase production capacity and versatility.During 2013 AJPE designed and introduced the Stage 3 481X cylinder head with Eric Dillard & Steve Petty at Proline Racing Engines. Alan and Blaine began their racing efforts competing in area Sand Drags with their home built Dragster powered by a Blown Alcohol Big Block Chevy. He was one of the most promising drivers on the circuit, a bonafide champion in the making. 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.. There is a lot of potential here.". To have another car that you can share data with and compare [is imperative].. We've celebrated an NHRA world championship, captured wins at historic tracks like Gainesville, Pomona, and Bandimere, and basically lived our dream for 22 years. On September 14, 2008, at the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, North Carolina, Schumacher surpassed Joe Amato as the driver with most wins in NHRA Top Fuel history with his 53rd career victory. It is vital that we maintain a welcoming environment where every individual has an equal opportunity to make an impactful contribution toward reaching our goals. And win they did. Alan Johnson has gone on to both prominence and wealth in both racing and business. Like I said, I really like this class, but Id like to see us be more competitive, said Johnson. All logos and images are reserved. In 2005 Bernstein won 2 events. And I told her I was sorry. 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. And he saved his best for each July at the Mopar brand's biggest event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. 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. We have estimated 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. Chip Ganassi Racing and PNC Bank announced their class of interns for the 2023 Women In Motorsports powered by PNC Bank program. 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. This is good for my dad and good for me. We're going to give it to the end of the month for sure, then we'll decide what we're going to do.". 12x Top Fuel World Championship team . Whether you are in a boardroom, a lab or on pit lane, performance comes down to capability and grit. Bernstein attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology, specializing in Sports Management in 1996. Unfortunately, it could be the end. Thus bringing his total to 12 championships. "Hopefully it catches somebody's attention. Blaine wasnt just any driver. I think the Force family realizes that Brittany may need a year or two more before shes a legitimate championship contender. We may earn money from the links on this page. Hes a consultant to Torrence. Salinas began working with Johnson in some capacity when he. Johnson did just that earlier this month at the NHRA's season-opening Circle K Winternationals at Pomona, California . 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. Throwing in the towel just before the playoffs is difficult, but Johnson felt he went as far as he could go financially. Its not good for the sport. Al Thani, once dubbed the sports patron sheik by The Wall Street Journal, formed his NHRA team partly to raise awareness of drag racing and other motorsports in Qatar, a country slightly smaller than Connecticut. His company, Alan Johnson Performance Engineering, supplies racing parts to roughly 50 percent of todays Top Fuel and Funny Car teams. Were honored to share this vision and advance this program together with PNC Bank., Supporting women in traditionally male-dominated spaces, such as motorsports, tech, and finance, is important to us because we know that a diverse workforce sparks innovation and influences economic inclusion, Debbie Guild, PNC head of enterprise technology and security, said in a release. Johnson did not address Langdon missing the Countdown to the Championship in Tuesdays statement. Brandon Bernstein's net worth Theyre two different things because a quick car is much more difficult to drive. So they're doing great. Brandon Bernstein was born on 2 August, 1972 in Texas, United States. 1 spot to claim the early points lead and an automatic berth in the $100,000-to-win Traxxas Shootout. "We're entertaining a bunch of companies, but nothing's really proceeding where we want just yet," he said. When hes in his zone, he thinks of nothing but winning the next race. So while all the buzz was about Johnson and JFR aligning, Torrence took the headlines. They proved themselves to be fierce competitors throughout the Central California region during the early to mid-eighties while honing their engine design talents, driving, and fabrication skills. 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. But as I dug into it and realized what really caused the problem, and that it wasnt a bad tune-up or anything like that, it was a rod bolt failure. Brittany Force still is adjusting to the extensive changes Johnson made to her car. John Force: But we already build them in-house. 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. In 2009, under the guidance of crew chief Rob Flynn, Bernstein won in Richmond, Virginia, had four runner-up finishes and was No. In 2012 Alan and AJPE created, built, and tested the Stage 7 Top Fuel Cylinder head for both NHRA Top Fuel classes. Hes a racer like me. Our cylinder heads and blocks were sought after worldwide with new customers throughout the US, South America, and Europe ordering engine parts on a regular basis. It was arguably two of the darkest days in NHRA history. He built on his late-2015 successes since Johnson signed on with the Capco Contractors dragster team as a technical consultant to crew chief Richard Hogan. / 2.22% quicker) compared to the class average (3.764 / 1.62% quicker) this season, with the caveats that were dealing with a small sample size and weve raced in quick locales. Its not known whether the recent plunge in oil prices played a role in the decision; Qatar is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). 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. I never have really put it behind me, Alan Johnson said. AJPE introduced three versions of the Stage 1 Muscle Head line of Alcohol Hemi cylinder heads early in 2005. They have decided to temporarily suspend operations at this time. Neither Johnson nor Al Thani gave a reason for the pullout, and Johnson and his team members declined interviews. In 2007 Bernstein won 5 events and contended for the championship but again finished 3rd in a close battle. 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. It costs roughly $5 million a year to operate a top-fuel team at the NHRAs premier level, called the Mello Yello Series. Brandon Bernsteins income source is mostly from being a successful . In 2001, Bernstein competed in the NHRA Top Alcohol Series and eventually won driver of the year honors. During this time Alan created the AJPE 481X engine platform. Alan Johnson got a win with yet another driver, this one with Mike Salinas at the Strip in Las Vegas. He's won 16 NHRA titles as either team. Just keep doing what we're doing, go out there and win races and catch the eye of somebody who wants to sponsor a Top Fuel car.". Johnson tuned Brittany Force from 2016 to 2018 as a tuning consultant with Brian Husen as crew chief. season opener, with this weekends Circle K Winternationals in Pomona, where top-fuel cars scream down the dragstrip at 320 mph in about four seconds. So we're begging -- anybody. I think we should be able to all have the same supercharger. At 50 years old, Brandon Bernstein height not available right now. It's impossible. And Ill continue doing that, he said. He worked with his dad's racing team when he was a teenager. One was built by JFR and one was built by Morgan Lucas Racing. Coming off a victory last weekend in the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, California, Hight had a 3.838 at 332.18 in a Chevrolet Camaro. Dixon's NHRA career began when he was a worker for a team owned by Larry Minor that had Gary Beck as driver. Big corporations, their fiscal year starts in January. Its a constant battle. Had Alan Johnson did what he initially first thought about doing quitting the sport after Blaines death the sport likely would never have been the same. 2004 AJPE Billet Big Block Chevy heads. In 1985, the Johnson Family started Johnson Racing which has since evolved into AJPE. On his 21st birthday, Blake completed his license in NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car under the direction of Paul Smith. So, you have to completely ignore the results of one car while trying to tune the other one and thats a tough thing to do. It was a stroke of genius, as Scelzi would win the Top Fuel championship the year after Blaines death (1997), as well as 1998 and 2000. I really like this [Factory Stock] class and it gives my dad something to do. Force predicted Johnson would rebound despite losing Qatars backing. Honestly I was bummed about Al Thanis pullout, Schumacher told reporters last week. 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. Do I want to sell you parts? NHRA/National Dragster Alan Johnson is in the final stretch of a race he can't afford to lose. Johnson had little time to prepare for this. 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). 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. Their on track performance and race wins spurred interest in their engine program and resulted in many engine and parts sales for AJPE. We need Alan Johnson and his drivers.. Its not like Pro Stock where you had to be on the gas 24/7. 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.". And all it lacks is consistency in eliminations to get them where they need to be to be able to win a championship. The program is aimed to provide more women with opportunities in traditionally male-dominated careers in the field of motorsports. 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. The guys will also discuss the news that Alan Johnson is joining Kalitta Motorsports for the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season. Anne Proffit. Johnson did not address Langdon missing the Countdown to the Championship in Tuesday's statement. 1 qualifier at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Langdon went on to win the race. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. "It was shocking," said Johnson, who has 11 Top Fuel championships. Growing up in Indianapolis, motorsports is part of her DNA. Johnson issued a statement saying Al Thani had terminated funding and the move was completely unexpected.. To be able to share technology with Steve Torrence, a great young racer from a racing family, that made it all make sense and feel like a blessing,, John Force Racing President Robert Hight said of the organizations first co-operative venture, I dont think youre going to have much chance of beating these other teams out here with just one car. 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. All we can show is what our team's capable of. . In 2006, he logged 4 event wins and 3 runner up finishes ultimately finishing 3rd in the final points standings. In one of the most freakish accidents the NHRA has ever seen, a rod bolt broke in the motor in Blaine Johnsons car. He spends a few hours a day in our engine shop, and then a couple hours in the garden. Yes, I do. Langdon started out the season with a win in the Winternationals, but since then it has been somewhat of an up-and-down campaign for the team, including seven first-round exits in eliminations of the 18 races held thus far. "I think the crew is handling it as well as anybody. As far as the innovative part of drag racing is concerned, its not quite what it used to be, because we cant design a lot of new stuff, especially in the engine department. One of the biggest problems last year is that I was working with two teams, but the cars were different, said Johnson. BROWNSBURG, Indiana If theres one weekend that noted tuner and 15-time champion Alan Johnson looks forward to each year, its the NHRAs biggest race of the season, the U.S. Nationals in suburban Indianapolis. The most recent revision has reduced the minimum weight for Dodges by 75-pounds but that doesnt benefit Johnson. Our whole lives, all we've ever driven is Mopar.". The guys at Proline are Leaders in the Turbo Pro-Modified classes, setting track records in all corners of the country and abroad. 1998 AJPE 12, 18, & 21 water jacket Sprint Car heads and IHRA Pro-Stock heads. Regardless, the loss of Blaine was by far the biggest test to the Johnson familys determination and desire to continue racing in honor of Blaine and what he believed in. Hein is an off-road racer and automotive service technician, while Goodman works as a laboratory instructor and Moody serves as a race engineer on her schools iRacing team. 2003 AJPE Stage 5 Top Fuel head Hes done a very good job of coming up to speed on that and in Vegas he was flawless. While there he also offered his tuning acumen to other teams, notably Steve Torrence prior to 2017. 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. But the truth is hes not even seeing you. The king of Bandimere Speedways Mile-High Mountain, with seven victories and a run of 10 consecutive final-round appearances at Denver, has abdicated his throne. A memorial to Blaine sits between the Lucas Oil Raceway dragstrip and adjacent short track oval. Alan Johnson It is vital that we maintain a welcoming environment where every individual has an equal opportunity to make an impactful contribution toward reaching our goals. When that occurred, Johnson was forced to scale back his operation to just one dragster, keeping Langdon while releasing fellow driver Khalid alBalooshi, who had been idle this season until replacing Spencer Massey two weeks ago at Don Schumacher Racing. Copyright 1996-2023, NHRA. Tuners at major teams may offer guidance to multiple cars when called upon, but theyre ultimately responsible for one team. 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. Gary Scelzi (born August 11, 1960) is an American dragster racer and midget car owner who has won the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship on three occasions and the Funny Car title once. So hang tight, tighten belts, place bets and wait, along with us, for all to be revealed. 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