Johnson Jr Phoenix Monday test notes

Johnson Jr. and Skoal Racing Blue squad complete testing at National Time Trials.

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2004) -- Five-time NHRA national event winner Tommy Johnson Jr. and his Skoal Racing blue team continued their advancement towards the 2004 NHRA season Monday during the Nationals Time Trails at Firebird International Raceway.

The newlywed Indianapolis resident made three passes behind the wheel of his blue Skoal Racing Chevy Funny Car. On Monday's first attempt, Johnson powered his Mike Green-tuned flopper to a run of 5.029 seconds at 272.78 mph. He followed that up with a pass of 5.393 at 200.95 after shutting off early. On his final effort of the day, he raced to a .892-second 60-foot effort.

"Overall, we're getting pretty close," Johnson said. "We just have to keep it running on all eight cylinders now. That was a problem here because of the track conditions. I'm confident that we'll be ready for Pomona. We're not very far away from running the big numbers like some of the other guys. I'm cautiously optimistic."

The 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will kick-off with the 44th running of the K&N Filters Winternationals, Feb. 19-22, at Pomona Raceway in Pomona, Calif. It is the first of 23 races in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The K&N Filters Winternationals will be televised on ESPN2. On Saturday, Feb. 21, ESPN2 will broadcast two hours of qualifying highlights at 10 p.m. (ET), and on Sunday, Feb. 22, they will show two hours of final eliminations at 10 p.m. (ET).

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