2016 Hall of Fame Inductee Roy Johnson Tunes Son Allen To NHRA Nationals Pro/Stock Runner-Up!

Engine builder and tuner Roy Johnson at work on the 2015 J&J Racing Dodge. Roy will be inducted into the 2016 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, October 14-15-16, 2016, in Henderson, NC.

Story by Jim Hill

Roy Johnson, the patriarch of the Johnson Family, J&J Racing team got off to a slow start in Pro-Stock early in 2016. The J&J team lost its primary sponsor at the end of the 2015 season. It wasn’t until very late that they acquired the welcome support of Marathon, a major gasoline retailing chain.

While Allen Johnson went sponsor hunting, Dad Roy and their loyal staff back home in Tennessee worked long, hard hours to master the sweeping rules changes that took effect early in 2016. Among these were new Electronic Fuel Injecton, wheelie-bar changes and a drastic reduction in hood scoop design.

Although they started the year playing catch-up, the J&J folks kept getting better at each race on the 2016 NHRA schedule.

Their hard work culminated Labor Day Monday when driver Allen Johnson took the J&J-Marathon entry to the finals in the 61st NHRA Nationals, at Indianapolis. Allen displayed his driving skills all day until opponent Bo Buttner defeated Allen Johnson in the Pro-Stock final.

Although the Nationals eluded them, the family team’s efforts and the adversity they overcame this season made the runner-up that more satisfying.

Engine builder and tuner Roy Johnson will be among those honored as a Class of 2016 inductee for the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, October 14-15-16, in Henderson, NC. 

Congratulations from the ECDT Hall of Fame to Roy Johnson, Allen Johnson and the entire J&J Racing team! WELL DONE, FOLKS!