Legendary football coach Dan Devine never drove a Pro Stock car. Likewise Allen Johnson has never coached a college football team.

On Saturday in Bristol, Tenn., the two came together in spirit at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Their common ground was a quote made famous in Devine’s pre-game speeches: “No one, I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around.”

Johnson, of Greeneville, Tenn., considers Bristol Dragway his home.

Saturday afternoon, with a track temperature well over 130 degrees, Johnson drove his Mopar-sponsored Dodge Avenger to the No. 1 qualifying position, knocking defending series champion Mike Edwards from the top spot.

Legendary football coach Dan Devine never drove a Pro Stock car. Likewise Allen Johnson has never coached a college football team.

On Saturday in Bristol, Tenn., the two came together in spirit at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Their common ground was a quote made famous in Devine’s pre-game speeches: “No one, I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around.”

Johnson, of Greeneville, Tenn., considers Bristol Dragway his home.

Saturday afternoon, with a track temperature well over 130 degrees, Johnson drove his Mopar-sponsored Dodge Avenger to the No. 1 qualifying position, knocking defending series champion Mike Edwards from the top spot.

“Last night we missed the setup and it was sad because we wanted that top spot so bad,” said Johnson. “We knew we had a car capable of it. It didn’t set too well, at home, for someone to come in and take our spot away.

“I really didn’t think we could take the number one today with the conditions we had to race in, but we barely nipped him. We made one of the most awesome runs we could. I think if we can maintain lane choice all day tomorrow, we might have something for him.”

Johnson is only one of two drivers other than Edwards to qualify No. 1 in 2010. Only Johnson has pulled off the feat more than once.

The last time Johnson qualified No. 1, during the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., he made the bold statement that he and his team had caught Edwards in terms of performance and horsepower. He hasn’t wavered from the belief.

“I think we are neck and neck with him,” Johnson said. “He still makes perfect runs every time and we are still every five out of six. It’s going to come down to the Finals [in Pomona] and who has lane choice at most of the tracks.”

Johnson believes the last few races might qualify his team to be the top contender for Edwards’ belt, the Pro Stock championship.

“I feel like that, I really do,” admitted Johnson. “We are jelling and coming together at the right time. Mike is not just going to lay down and let us take it away. You have Jeggie, Greg and Jason all have found their stride. I believe it will come down to five or six cars.”

But on a day where emotions ran high in the hometown hero’s pits, just getting the No. 1 went a long way towards upholding hometown and family pride. Roy Johnson, Allen’s father and also the team’s engine builder, is racing this weekend in Stock eliminator and worked his way through the competition ladder.

“My mom [Revonda Johnson] hugged me and said, ‘What a dream.’ I agree with her,” conveyed Johnson. “For dad to go rounds and me to get the No. 1, I have to agree with her. It’s an emotional time for me. It’s been a while since we have had our whole family assembled here. Our family, friends and the employees of our company.

“Dad works so hard and has done so for the last 20 years at this, and then he gets behind the wheel of a car for the first time in a long time and comes out here and does this, it’s so emotional for me. That’s the reason I do this … the racing … is for him. Racing out here keeps him young. I always knew if he had the chance to come back out here and race one of these cars again, he’d be awesome at it. Just to see him be able to do it again, in front of the family is awesome.

“I’ve had more fun watching him than I have racing. He’s got a bye run into the semis. Maybe he and I can win together tomorrow.”