Tommy Johnson Jr. (Richard Muir photo)

As the No. 3 qualifier, Johnson faced the No. 14 Jeff Diehl in round one of eliminations. Johnson ran a 3.960 at 322.81. He moved onto round two where he faced DSR teammate Jack Beckman, whose car is also funded by Chandler.

Johnson ran a 3.956, 320.51 mph to Beckman's quicker 3.937 (325.30) but Johnson was first to leave the starting line to give him a holeshot victory.

Del Worsham (Richard Muir photo)

In the semifinals, Johnson faced reigning Funny Car world champion Del Worsham of Kalitta Motorsports. Johnson won the round with his best run of the day, a 3.926 pass at 323.89 over Worsham's 3.965 at 324.44 mph.

"The team did a great job today,’ said Johnson. “The car ran good all weekend but so did Capps. It was a good race. I gave it everything I had.”