Tommy Johnson Jr ended a long winless drought – winning for the first time since 2007 during NHRA’s Ford Thunder Valley Nationals held at Bristol Dragway.

Don Schumacher Racing driver Tommy Johnson Jr. drove his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T to the team’s first Funny Car win of the season at the 14th annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

“This is third time I’ve won on Father’s Day,” said Johnson after earning his 10th career win and the first in seven years and 53 events that also occurred on Father’s Day. “I love the fans, the sound of Thunder Valley. There’s nothing like it. This is a great facility. It was a tricky racetrack today, and all the guys on my team did a great job.

“And it makes it even better to associate with Make-A-Wish and raise awareness for them, it’s just great,” added Johnson. “We just let everyone know what great things they do for these kids that are fighting life-threatening illnesses. To see them smile when they’re going through tough things warms my heart and now we got them a win.”

“All of us at Mopar would like to offer congratulations to Tommy Johnson Jr. on the win in Bristol,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “The Mopar-powered Funny Car package has been strong and it’s great to see it back in the winner’s circle. We look forward to seeing Tommy (Johnson Jr.) and his Don Schumacher Racing teammates contending for more wins in honor of the 50 year legacy of the 426 Race HEMI.”

To get to the final elimination, Johnson defeated Cruz Pedregon and Robert Hight, only to be paired with his Mopar teammate Matt Hagan. The HEMI-powered duo treated fans to an exciting semifinal showdown won by Johnson with a 4.201 second (299.46 mph) elapsed time run to a 4.207 second (293.54 mph) pass by the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T. Johnson then took the victory over Tim Wilkerson to leapfrog the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T four sports into third place in the championship points race.

Tommy Johnson Jr drove his Dodge Charger past Tim Wilkerson’s Ford Mustang in the final round

Event Essentials :  Ford Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol TN) 

Tim Wilkerson had a strong R/UP finish in the LRS Ford Mustang

Del Worsham rode the DHL Toyota to both low ET and top speed of the meet in FC.

Posted with files from Pat Caporali & Bruce Biegler

Photos Courtesy of:  Auto Imagery and NHRA Communications