Nitro Dogs Racing

Johnson edges world champ Coughlin to win Las Vegas Pro Stock Showdown

Allen Johnson

Following an offseason full of moves to enhance his Mopar/J&J Racing team, Allen Johnson opened the year with a win at the annual Las Vegas Pro Stock Showdown at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson bolstered his program with the additions of Johnny Gray as a racing teammate and Jeff Perley as a tuner to his already talented cast. He ran a 6.70 in the final round to defeat reigning NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin.

“Maybe we need to do this at all the special races,” said Johnson,
who also won last year’s K&N Horsepower Challenge. “I think we have a really good team of folks. If I do my job, I think we can win some races and get in position to win the championship.”

Cool temperatures and good track conditions paved the way for performances such as Coughlin’s low e.t. of 6.683 seconds, which is two hundredths quicker than the official track record and two-thousandths quicker than his class-leading e.t. at last year’s event. Consistent, fast performances from Coughlin and Johnson throughout the test session proved that they had two of the best cars on the premises.

“We’ve been testing a lot of different things this weekend, even in the final, but we didn’t get way off-base,” said Johnson. “We’re here to get faster for

Pomona. We’re not content right now, but I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”

Johnson, far lane, defeats Coughlin in the final round, 6.70 to 6.74.

Johnson beats Greg Stanfield in the semifinals, 6.71 to 6.74.

Coughlin defeats Tom Hammonds on a 6.72 to 6.71 semifinal holeshot.

Johnson’s road to the final began with a single when opponent Frank Gugliotta missed the call, and he took full advantage by running a 6.70-flat, his quickest pass of the event. He ran a 6.73 in the second round against V. Gaines, who red-lighted away a 6.74. Johnson took care of No. 2 qualifier Greg Stanfield in the semifinals in a competitive 6.71-to-6.74 drag race. Johnson overcame a slight holeshot disadvantage to Coughlin in the final to win with a fine 6.704 at 205.04 mph to Coughlin’s 6.74.

“As a driver, you like a race like this to hone your skills,” said Johnson. “I was happy with a .03 light; I meant to be a low-.020, but I’m getting back to having that eye of the tiger after going through a slump in the middle of last year.”

Coughlin’s Jegs.com Chevy Cobalt was strong on race day. Coughlin, who won this event last year, was the only driver to reach the 6.6-second range, which he did twice with a pair of 6.68s. The four-time world champ was happy with the results of his new, Todd Bevis-built chassis.

“We had a really good weekend,” said Coughlin. “We’ve made 12 runs with this car, and 11 of them were good enough to learn from. The track came around in the final and we just weren’t ready for it. It’s nice to get back here at the race track with the smell and the fumes to get your competitive juices flowing.”

Coughlin, the No. 1 qualifier beat Bob Yonke in the first round and singled in round two before engaging in the race of the event with Tom Hammonds.

Hammonds was second off the line with a .026 light, and Coughlin barely held on for a holeshot win, 6.72 to 6.71. Racers were impressed with the progress of

Hammonds‘ Race For Achievement team.

“Coming out with a new car and the progression of our engine program have really turned this around,” said Hammonds, a retired NBA basketball player. “I think we can be very competitive this season. This weekend has given us a shot in the arm.”Round one
Johnny Gray (.097) 6.745 at 204.45 def. Ron Krisher (no-show)
V. Gaines (.015) 6.733 at 203.71 def. Bob Panella Jr. (.054) 6.755 at 203.98
Rickie Jones (.058) 6.746 at 204.17 def. Jerry Haas (.037) 6.828 at 201.79
Tom Hammonds (.041) 6.709 at 205.07 def. David Beckley (.106) 6.802 at 202.27
Allen Johnson (.038) 6.700 at 205.41 def. Frank Gugliotta (no-show)
Greg Stanfield (.032) 6.741 at 204.91 def. Rodger Brogdon (.039) 6.913 at 198.76
Jeg Coughlin (.028) 6.686 at 205.91 def. Bob Yonke (-.073 foul) 6.913 at 198.58

Round two
Stanfield (.014) 6.762 at 204.57 def. Gray (.090) 6.762 at 204.39
Hammonds (.019) 6.719 at 204.98 def. Jones (.036) 6.810 at 204.01
Johnson (.055) 6.735 at 204.76 def. Gaines (-.101 foul) 6.743 at 204.14
Coughlin (.021) 6.717 at 205.41 def. bye

Semifinals
Johnson (.043) 6.718 at 205.41 def. Stanfield (.036) 6.747 at 204.57
Coughlin (.007) 6.726 at 205.66 def. Hammonds (.026) 6.718 at 205.10

Final
Johnson (.039) 6.704 at 205.04 def. Coughlin (.024) 6.744 at 204.79