Statement on Steve Johnson's Gainesville disqualification

NHRA statement regarding Pro Stock Bike owner Steve Johnson and his disqualification at the 34th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals.

GLENDORA, Calif. (March 24, 2003) -- After an extensive investigation by NHRA tech officials regarding Pro Stock Bike participant Steve Johnson's disqualification at the 34th annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, NHRA's technical department has determined the engine did not exceed the specifications for two-valve engines (maximum 1508 cc, 92 cubic inch displacement).

As a result, Johnson will be awarded the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series championship points he would have earned at the event as a qualified first round participant. Those points include two points for qualifying 12th at the event and 20 additional points for first round participation. Johnson currently has 32 points, which includes 10 points earned for participating in qualifying at the event. Johnson is tied for 10th in the chase for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series championship in Pro Stock Bike. Johnson also will receive 105 points towards the K&N Filters Pro Bike Klash, a special event held during the Mac Tools US Nationals.

"After the event, NHRA officials had some questions regarding the engine measurements we had observed and recorded," said Cary Menard, vice president of technical administration, NHRA. "In the interest of fairness to the team, we visited Steve's shop in Birmingham (Ala.) last week and conducted follow-up displacement measurements on the engine. The results of the investigation determined that the device used at the event to measure the engine displacement registered a false reading, despite verifying calibration of the device at the event. As such, the engine was legal at the time Johnson was participating and thus led NHRA to award the additional points.

"This was clearly an extraordinary occurrence. We continue to have the utmost confidence in our technical staff and equipment and, moving forward, are taking every step we can to eliminate this sort of situation in the future."

Joining Menard was Jim Collins, NHRA's Division 2 technical director. The decision by NHRA will not adversely affect any points earned by John Smith, who was inserted into the bike lineup upon Johnson's disqualification.

-nhra-