FUNNY CAR

The third race of NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship concluded with yet another victory for Mopar in the eighth all-Mopar final round of the season and second in a row. When it was all said and done, Tommy Johnson Jr., driver of the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T, was celebrating in the Dodge NHRA Nationals winner's circle with his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) team after defeating teammate and points leader Ron Capps at Maple Grove Raceway.

Mega-team owner Don Schumacher had all four Funny Cars in the semifinals and three of four dragsters in the Top Fuel semis. He had a very good Sunday.

The victory came in Johnson's third consecutive final round and brought him to within 24 marks of the top spot.

On the way to the final, Johnson knocked out Cruz Pedregon, 3.909/327.27 to 4.159/257.58, Mike Smith with a 4.025/325.37 to 5.608/129.58, and then DSR teammate Jack Beckman in a very close match with a .029 reaction and 3.892/330.63 that edged his opponent's .050 start and 3.899/327.51.

"It was a tough track because the conditions were so good," said Johnson. "The track is so tight, you have to be perfect or it doesn't make it. You get to the semifinals and you think, man this is going to be tough. I know what those guys have for equipment and parts. I know them too well. But if you're going to win it, you have to go through the best. We pulled into the waterbox for the semis and I thought, oh I bet the boss is happy. This is good, this is what we planned to do. We all work together really well. We all share information, and if you ask the right question, they will tell you. If you're struggling, they'll be there to help you. That's all great until you get to the semifinals and then it's every team for themselves. Nobody is cutting you any slack. I knew it was going to be tough. I watched all of them run second round and they were really good – but we had to pedal it. I knew we were behind a little bit, but I had faith in the guys. I knew we got too conservative in the second round, and that's what bit us – but I knew they wouldn't be in the semifinals, so I felt pretty confident."

For Johnson, who is led by crew chief John Collins and assistant crew chief Rip Reynolds, the victory was even more satisfying after falling just short at the facility in 2014 – the first season he raced with the Make-A-Wish team funded by Terry Chandler.