By Jenn McVay, Staff Writer, MSA:
Thunder Valley Dragway – Bristol, TN (June 15, 2014) Not only a awesome father’s day gift, but a wonderful wish come true for Tommy Johnson Jr. and his car sponsor Ms. Terry Chandler and the whole Make – A – Wish team.
Father’s Day seems to be a special day for Tommy Johnson Jr. since this is the third father’s day he has won, (Columbus, 1988 and Englishtown, 2007 and now, Bristol, 2014). All three wins his father and veteran drag racer Tommy Johnson Sr. has been in attendance.
This win was Tommy’s 10th in his career in the nitro category and marked the 226th win for the DSR family and the 1st funny car victory for DSR.
Due to bad weather on Friday night, and a simple mistake on Saturday, Johnson was able to get two qualifying runs, which in turn were great ones. He placed 5th heading into Sunday’s race.
Sunday (Round 1) Tommy Johnson verses Cruz Pedregon (4.147 to 4.613). (Round 2) Johnson Vs Robert Hight, (4.174 to 6.00). (Round 3) DSR Vs DSR (Johnson Vs Hagan) 4.201 seconds at 299.46 MPH to Hagan’s 4.207 seconds at 293.54 MPH. Amongst all the cheers and excitement, Tommy Johnson realizes he and his team are headed to the final round against Tim Wilkerson.
When the tree dropped in the Final round it was the Make-A-Wish car at the strip. Turning a 4.156 seconds at 302.14 MPH over Wilkerson’s 4.423 seconds at 227.34 MPH.
The wish has come true once more on Father’s Day 2014. This was Tommy Johnson’s crew chief John Collins first win. This win puts Johnson in 3rd place in the standings of funny car. Congratulations to Tommy Johnson Jr. and The Make-A-Wish team on a well deserved win.
On a closing note, The Make-A-Wish team and car is sponsored by Ms Terry Chandler. The Make-A-Wish foundation under no circumstances funds in any way this car or team.