TJ STILL WAITING
Tue, 2008-10-21 15:28
Veteran driver still uncertain what 2009 will bring …
Tommy Johnson Jr. hasn’t made plans for 2009 and with good reason. He doesn’t know what they are.
Johnson, the veteran driver of Kenny Bernstein’s Monster Energy drink flopper, was told in August that he could test the waters for a new driving gig in case the team’s sponsor did not renew for next season. He doesn’t have an answer as to what his plans are and neither does team owner Bernstein.
Veteran driver still uncertain what 2009 will bring …
Tommy Johnson Jr. hasn’t made plans for 2009 and with good reason. He doesn’t know what they are.
Johnson, the veteran driver of Kenny Bernstein’s Monster Energy drink flopper, was told in August that he could test the waters for a new driving gig in case the team’s sponsor did not renew for next season. He doesn’t have an answer as to what his plans are and neither does team owner Bernstein.
“Everything is still up in the air,” Johnson confirmed. “Kenny hasn’t secured sponsorship. We had talked in August regarding 2009 and he told me that I should start looking and protect myself. He told me if I could come up with something to come and let him know. He was going to keep working and keep the team intact.”
Johnson isn’t losing sleep despite the fact neither he nor Bernstein has a solid plan for the future of the team.
“So far neither one of us has been successful but I still have a few things I’m working on,” Johnson added. “I’m confident I’ll be back out there next year, I am just not sure where it will be.”
Johnson told CompetitionPlus.com that he wouldn’t rule out a return to the Top Fuel dragsters, a class he last ran in the 1990s. He’s sorting through the offers on the table.
“I would say I have about four opportunities available,” Johnson said, adding that two are for Top Fuel dragsters. “There are a couple that are stronger than the others. It’s about half and half.”
No, he cannot provide details although he’s disappointed in the direction the sport has taken where the best driver doesn’t always get the gig. All too often employment can be determined by who can bring money to the table.
“There’s nothing I can provide any details for and that depends on sponsorship,” Johnson said. “It’s unfortunate these days that your talent level doesn’t always guarantee a job. A lot of that depends on who you know as well as different sponsor opportunities. It’s frustrating at times because you can go out there and drive with the best of them yet that doesn’t guarantee your job. There could be someone out there with lesser talent that gets it. You try to do the best you can on all fronts of sponsorship and media.
“Luckily I’ve been able to do that. People keep asking me why I’ve been able to keep getting these good jobs and I think it’s paying attention to every detail and not just driving the race car and being a good team player. I try to do the stuff that will set you apart from other people such as the media and sponsor relations. There’s a lot more that goes into driving a car than just driving the car. “
Tommy Johnson Jr. hasn’t made plans for 2009 and with good reason. He doesn’t know what they are.Johnson, the veteran driver of Kenny Bernstein’s Monster Energy drink flopper, was told in August that he could test the waters for a new driving gig in case the team’s sponsor did not renew for next season. He doesn’t have an answer as to what his plans are and neither does team owner Bernstein.
Veteran driver still uncertain what 2009 will bring …
Tommy Johnson Jr. hasn’t made plans for 2009 and with good reason. He doesn’t know what they are.Johnson, the veteran driver of Kenny Bernstein’s Monster Energy drink flopper, was told in August that he could test the waters for a new driving gig in case the team’s sponsor did not renew for next season. He doesn’t have an answer as to what his plans are and neither does team owner Bernstein.
“Everything is still up in the air,” Johnson confirmed. “Kenny hasn’t secured sponsorship. We had talked in August regarding 2009 and he told me that I should start looking and protect myself. He told me if I could come up with something to come and let him know. He was going to keep working and keep the team intact.”
Johnson isn’t losing sleep despite the fact neither he nor Bernstein has a solid plan for the future of the team.
“So far neither one of us has been successful but I still have a few things I’m working on,” Johnson added. “I’m confident I’ll be back out there next year, I am just not sure where it will be.”
Johnson told CompetitionPlus.com that he wouldn’t rule out a return to the Top Fuel dragsters, a class he last ran in the 1990s. He’s sorting through the offers on the table.
“I would say I have about four opportunities available,” Johnson said, adding that two are for Top Fuel dragsters. “There are a couple that are stronger than the others. It’s about half and half.”
No, he cannot provide details although he’s disappointed in the direction the sport has taken where the best driver doesn’t always get the gig. All too often employment can be determined by who can bring money to the table.
“There’s nothing I can provide any details for and that depends on sponsorship,” Johnson said. “It’s unfortunate these days that your talent level doesn’t always guarantee a job. A lot of that depends on who you know as well as different sponsor opportunities. It’s frustrating at times because you can go out there and drive with the best of them yet that doesn’t guarantee your job. There could be someone out there with lesser talent that gets it. You try to do the best you can on all fronts of sponsorship and media.
“Luckily I’ve been able to do that. People keep asking me why I’ve been able to keep getting these good jobs and I think it’s paying attention to every detail and not just driving the race car and being a good team player. I try to do the stuff that will set you apart from other people such as the media and sponsor relations. There’s a lot more that goes into driving a car than just driving the car. “
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