You don’t have to tell Tommy Johnson Jr. how to race a Top Fueler or Funny Car down the dragstrip. The American Pro has numerous runs to his credit but still impressed the Europeans with his attitude and 4.66sec / 317mph run. But Tommy Johnson Jr. was the first to admit he was impressed too. “It’s the first time I’ve raced in Europe and, although I knew it was good, this extends all my expectations. The fans, the team, the level of competition, it’s a chance you get once in a lifetime and I’m so happy I can do this.” Tommy Johnson Jr. is one of those American superstars of drag racing. TJ’s first NHRA race goes back to 1989; he has raced for Joe Gibbs, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein and has nine NHRA Wally’s to his credit, seven in Funny Car and two in Top Fuel. Last year he raced the Yas Marina Top Fuel Dragster in Abu Dhabi and has a full-time contract with Don Schumacher Racing. “When Don has the funding to run a fourth Top Fueler I’m the first one to step in. At this moment I do the track inspection for the crew chiefs at all national events and in the shop I’m coordinating the purchase of parts.”


Per Andersen, Tommy Johnson Jr, Karsten Andersen and Jim Brissette

The Andersens got in touch with Tommy through Jim Brissette, their tuning adviser. “Jim was my first crewchief in Top Fuel and later also recommended me to a Funny Car team. I talked to Per Andersen for the first time in Pomona and had never met Karsten until a few days ago. Per called me when I was at the racetrack in Houston for a one-race deal at the Main Event. Don Schumacher knows that the only thing I really want to do is race, so he gave me permission to go to Europe. I appreciate that very much. Now it’s a deal for the whole season and that’s great. None of the European races clash with the American dates but I have to be at all NHRA races so I’ll fly to the States this week, come back for Tierp, back to the States for two races, back to Finland for Alastaro and so on. But I don’t care, I can drive and that’s the only thing I want.”

Although Tommy hardly knew Per and Karsten, the team’s reputation was not new to him. “People at home said I was crazy to step in a car I had never seen with a crew I hardly knew. But I saw them race in the States and at Hockenheim two years ago and knew their track record, and with Jim Brissette around it had to be good. In America they thought I went to Europe for a match race like I did in Abu Dhabi but when I told them it was an official championship they were impressed. Now they are very interested. I already got many text messages to wish me luck and congratulations on the 4.66sec. This is good for European drag racing too, to get more media attention in the States. When I told them we run over the full quarter-mile here they were jealous and I have to say it was a great feeling to run the traditional distance and cross the finish line at 317mph. It was a long time ago that I could do that.”

For Tommy it’s no problem to race on European tracks. “I already made so many runs. For a driver sitting in his car at the start line, all tracks are the same, the Christmas tree, the 1000- or 1320-foot finish line. It’s far more difficult for an American crewchief to tune a car for a European track. For a driver it’s no problem. If the crewchief does the right job a good driver can bring the car to the finish line.” In the technology the differences between America and Europe are not as big as most people think. “It’s almost at the same level. The big difference is, in the States we have at least three test days and have already made numerous runs before we have our first race. In Europe most teams have their first run of the season at the opening round of the championship. That makes the difference.”

The Main Event was not Tommy’s first European trip. “I’ve been to Germany several times to visit the American troops, Hockenheim, Italy, Paris and London, but it’s the first time I’ve raced here. It’s a chance you get once in a lifetime and I’m honoured. When I was a kid I dreamed about racing on all continents. Only Australia is missing now.”

The Santa Pod race fans impressed Tommy too. “They know so much about me and the history of the sport, really unbelievable.” But Tommy was even more impressed with the Andersen Racing team and the level of competition. “I knew they were good but it extends all my expectations. They have the right parts and equipment, looked at the data after the run and made the right adjustments so I could run that 4.66sec and 317mph. Very impressive. They make me feel very comfortable and it’s a perfect match. It feels like I’m already working with them for at least two or three years. I’m really looking forward to this European tour, racing in different countries where I have never been.” And the goals for this season? “To win the championship. But Risto Poutiainen impressed. He was fast and consistent so it will be an interesting season.”