An emotional Johnson gives thanks for the win at Las Vegas. (Ron Lewis photo)

A Pro Stock championship would bring to fruition the dream of not just Johnson, but also his father and engine builder, Roy Johnson, himself a former championship-winning Mopar-powered sportsman racer. The father-and-son duo has worked side-by-side ever since Johnson entered the NHRA Pro Stock ranks.

“We’ve been here a long time, and to do this with my father for 17 years, by ourselves and with the help from Mopar, of course, is a tremendous feeling right now,” said Allen Johnson. “He just turned 71 years old and to be so close to accomplishing a championship with him is something special.”