Steve Johnson Eager for the Biggest Weekend of His Career

Competing for a world championship at the final race of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season is a new experience for Steve Johnson, but the Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran is embracing the opportunity heading into this weekend’s Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. It is the final race of the Countdown in the Championship and the 2021 campaign, and Johnson has the chance to win his first world championship on his Suzuki.

 

Johnson enters the final race 20 points behind defending world champ Matt Smith and is ready to be part of what’s shaping up to be a wild and must-see weekend in the two-wheeled category. Three-time world champ Angelle Sampey is just 30 points back and with each round win worth 30 points in Pomona due to the points-and-a-half scenario at the finale, the world title could be decided on the final run of the season. It could potentially be a nerve-wracking situation, but Johnson is savoring the moment as he tries for his first career win at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and his first NHRA world championship.

 

“I’ve been chasing this championship for a long time and to be in this position, I’m over the moon,” said Johnson, who has picked three wins and three No. 1 qualifiers in 2021. “I’ve dreamed of it and we’ve applied some action and now the dream is getting pretty close. We’ve got a lot of heart and it’s really, really going to be fun.”

 

Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Jianna Salinas (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the most recent Auto Club NHRA Finals, which took place in 2019. This year’s event will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including live final eliminations coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. It is the sixth and final race in the Countdown to the Championship in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Johnson knows he will need a big weekend in Pomona to get past the likes of Smith and Sampey, who have a combined seven world titles and 76 wins. 

 

But it’s been a spectacular season for Johnson, who has found new life on his four-valve Suzuki. It’s been his best season by far in a career that’s stretched 30-plus seasons, and his victory at the most recent race in Las Vegas set up a viable championship scenario in Pomona. Johnson has performed at a high level all year, advancing to five final rounds, and he’s also been quick to praise a team that has him in title contention going against star riders like Smith and Sampey. 

 

“You can have a fast motorcycle, but if you can’t ride it, it’s not going to be fast,” Johnson said. “We’ve got great parts, great education on how to put the parts together and we learned a little more about riding the motorcycle. We’re doing a good job that making sure there are no leaks in our boat.”

 

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where future stars of the sport hone their skills. Following nitro qualifying on both Friday and Saturday, there will be a special and thrilling hot rod cacklefest celebration on the return road that fans won’t want to miss. After nitro qualifying on both days, fans can also exciting wheelstander exhibitions from the “Little Red Fire Truck” and “Walking Tall” P.T. Cruiser.

 

Fans will also be treated to a Street Car Shootout featuring Rod Tschiggfrie’s Sorceress Olds Cutlass vs. Jay Boddie’s Camaro, as well as thrilling runs from a pair of jet cars, including the MavTV Plus Missile powered by Lucas Oil and the Lucas Oil Terminal Velocity dragster.

 

As always, fans are granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. This unique opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

 

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 3:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 12 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 14. 

 

Television coverage on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) includes qualifying action from 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, with live action during eliminations to follow from 4:00-7:00 p.m. ET.