The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will make history at the Inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, but for Team Mopar® NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson, it’s all about making the final at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Johnson will gladly accept the three semifinal appearances and the second spot in the point standings he has claimed following the first three events on the 2010 NHRA schedule, all while breaking in his new HEMI®-powered Mopar Dodge Avenger. But after coming up short in three consecutive semifinal showdowns with defending NHRA Pro Stock champ Mike Edwards, Johnson is itching to advance one more round and make his first final appearance of the season and 18th of his 15-year NHRA career.

Johnson to participate in Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.) fundraiser and silent auction at zMAX Dragway

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will make history at the Inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, but for Team Mopar® NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson, it’s all about making the final at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Johnson will gladly accept the three semifinal appearances and the second spot in the point standings he has claimed following the first three events on the 2010 NHRA schedule, all while breaking in his new HEMI®-powered Mopar Dodge Avenger. But after coming up short in three consecutive semifinal showdowns with defending NHRA Pro Stock champ Mike Edwards, Johnson is itching to advance one more round and make his first final appearance of the season and 18th of his 15-year NHRA career.

“We have to at least get one step farther and get to the final,” said Johnson, driver and owner of the J&J Racing team, based in his hometown of Greeneville, Tenn. “I’d like to be able to qualify in the top three and get on the opposite side of the ladder so we don’t have to meet Mike until the final. But he has shown he can be beaten, too [Edwards lost to Jason Line on a holeshot in the NHRA Gatornationals final]. You always have to be primed and ready to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself. ”

Inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals attendees will witness for the first time in NHRA history four-wide racing during qualifying and eliminations. The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the four first rounds of eliminations will advance to the second round. The two drivers to cross the finish line in each of the two second rounds of eliminations will advance to the final, which will feature four drivers going head-to-head, with the first to cross the stripe claiming the event win.

“It’s certainly different. It should be exciting for the fans,” Johnson said. “I can roll with it as well as anybody can. It’s all the same thing—you have to make excellent runs and drive great, be it on two lanes or four. You’ve got to run your own race. When you’re just racing one person that’s what you have to do, and with this deal here it’s even more important to block out everybody else out there.

“I feel like I’m one of the top veteran drivers out there and hopefully I can adapt easily to the situation. We did pretty well at Concord last September, almost making the final. Maybe we can take that and build on it. Hopefully the format will play to our advantage and we can come out on top.”

Johnson to participate in B.R.A.K.E.S. fundraiser and silent auction at zMAX Dragway

Allen Johnson will once again lend his support to the non-profit organization B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) at the Inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Johnson will donate the jacket of his racing firesuit for a B.R.A.K.E.S. silent auction at the event and will also appear as one of many NHRA special guests at a B.R.A.K.E.S. pancake fundraiser scheduled to take place Saturday morning, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded by NHRA Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert in memory of his two sons who were killed in a car accident. By training and educating teenage drivers and their parents, the foundation aims to promote safe driving in an attempt to prevent injuries and save lives.

“I’ve been a huge supporter of B.R.A.K.E.S. ever since the organization was founded,” said Johnson. “The group’s mission to educate teens about the need to be responsible and safe while driving helps save lives. I’m proud to participate and help B.R.A.K.E.S. in whichever way I can.”

Tickets for the fundraising event may be purchased in advance for $10 at http://www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org or for $15 at the door. For more information on B.R.A.K.E.S., visit http://www.putonthebrakes.org.