In NHRA circles, it is well known Matt Hagan is leading the nitro Funny Car point standings with two races remaining in the season – Las Vegas (Thursday through Sunday) and Pomona (Nov. 13-16).

There’s legendary John Force 36 points behind Hagan, minus his crew chief Jimmy Prock.

In NHRA circles, it is well known Matt Hagan is leading the nitro Funny Car point standings with two races remaining in the season – Las Vegas (Thursday through Sunday) and Pomona (Nov. 13-16).

There’s legendary John Force 36 points behind Hagan, minus his crew chief Jimmy Prock.

And, if that’s not enough drama, Courtney Force is chasing history of her own as she’s only 72 points back.

Lost in all the hoopla is Tommy Johnson Jr, who is only 114 points behind, and flying under the radar suits him just fine.

“They can just forget about us and I will do my job in Vegas, and they will say wait a minute where did he come from,” said Johnson Jr., who drives the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger for Don Schumacher Racing. “I think if we go there and try and win the race all that (points) stuff will take care of itself. I’ve never been in this position before where there’s a couple of races to go and I have a shot at the championship, so I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong. I figure I stick to what I know and try and go win races.”

This season, Johnson has quietly put himself in title contention by capturing one win at Bristol, Tenn., and two runner-up finishes at Chicago and Reading, Pa.
Those are all impressive statistics especially considering Johnson Jr. had not raced a Funny Car full time since 2008.

“I knew what the team was capable of and I didn’t want to be the reason we didn’t do well,” Johnson Jr. said. “I knew what kind of opportunity this was and I had high hopes, but nothing is guaranteed. It has definitely been a relief (having a full-time ride). The biggest difference now is I have a locker in the trailer instead of my helmet in a bag. It’s easier concentrating on your driving and you’re not out there trying to show somebody something. You’re still trying to show somebody something, but you’re able to focus on doing your job.”

Johnson Jr. made his Top Fuel debut in 1989, but only competed six races from 2009-2013. He drove the Rapisarda Motorsports Top Fueler in four races last season.

“The schedule was pretty tough just getting back in the swing of things,” Johnson Jr. said. “I have more going on now than before when I was full time. About four races into it I thought man these Funny Cars are hard to drive. You can do the job, but to do it really good is really hard. It motivated me and made me want to get this. It’s amazing, a little bit of time out of the seat in a Funny Car you can get right back in it and looks like you are doing just fine, but you know you can do better and it should be easier. As the season has went along it has gotten easier. I’m not having to think about driving the car anymore, I’m just doing it.”

This season, Johnson Jr. also has seen superb results with first time crew chief John Collins.

Collins is in in his seventh season with DSR and was in his fifth as an assistant crew chief to Rahn Tobler before becoming Johnson Jr.’s crew chief at the Gatornationals March 13-16 in Gainesville, Fla.

The transition to Collins and was easy for Johnson Jr. since they have known each other for years as they both are from Ottumwa, Iowa.

“John went to his first national event in 1999 with my family and I,” Johnson Jr. said. “I’ve known him for a long, long time and I knew he had the talent. It is kind of cool to be reunited with him.”

No matter what happens at Las Vegas and Pomona, Johnson Jr. will return as the driver of the Make-A-Wish Dodge in 2015 for the Terry Chandler-sponsored team.

“We’re finalizing paint schemes and going full speed ahead,” Johnson Jr. said. “We’re actually going to test after Vegas for next year. Terry is a great lady who has done great things for our sport. I’m very thankful that I have got the opportunity with her and more than anything I’ve enjoyed working with her this year. It has been a really neat year not only me getting an opportunity again, but also to do off track stuff with the kids. We have somewhere between 8 to 10 Make-A-Wish kids at the races every Saturday who have either had a wish granted recently or have a wish coming up. It has been a real neat experience to have them out there. We have introduced a lot of new fans to the sport through the kids and to see them having a good time and enjoying themselves makes it easier for us to have a good time. These kids are out here and they are struggling and going through a battle and if they are out here having a good time why shouldn’t be out here having a good time.”

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