It's open now.

Johnson bored his way through a stout Pro Stock field going from the number one qualifying spot to the winner's circle after beating Jeg Coughlin in the final round of the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Coughlin had issues during the final round run, but Johnson was confident he had Coughlin covered all the way as he powered down the track to his first win of year.

Alan Johnson has literally been knock, knock, knocking on the door of victory in the NHRA Pro Stock division over the past few months. For whatever reason, the door just wouldn't open.

It's open now.

Johnson bored his way through a stout Pro Stock field going from the number one qualifying spot to the winner's circle after beating Jeg Coughlin in the final round of the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Coughlin had issues during the final round run, but Johnson was confident he had Coughlin covered all the way as he powered down the track to his first win of year.

Johnson got other assists along the way, the biggest being Mike Edwards' red-light miscue in the second round against Johnny Gray.

“I knew I had to be on my game and fortunately I was able to do that,” Johnson said, after making his fourth appearance in the final round at Bandimere Speedway in as many years. Johnson has been victorious in three of those four years, with the only loss coming in 2008.

“We've got an awesome set up for here. The engines guys, the motor they do for here are just unbelievable. The car guys, I can't say enough, just perfect runs every run today. I don't know what we could do different. I would like to run every race we run here.”

Johnson steered his HEMI®-powered Mopar Dodge Avenger Pro Stock car to a first-round win over Bob Yonke, posting a 6.973-second elapsed time (ET) at 197.83 mph. He sent Greg Anderson packing with a 6.998/197.59 pass, then dispatched former teammate Johnny Gray in the semis with a 6.997/197.45 run.

Bandimere is more than just a win for Johnson. It's his sponsor's race and he expects to keep the trophy in house.

“All the folks from Mopar, including the boss, Pietro (Gorlier), and Byron Kearney from Dodge, have been our good luck charms. They’re family to me. It’s not just a sponsor relationship. It’s so special to have them here.

“I was real tickled with how I did my job today, after the first round.

“We've got to continue this pace. Be aggressive towards that championship and we can pull this thing off.”