While he is only 39 years old, Tommy Johnson, Jr. is clearly one of the veterans of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Having started racing Top Fuel cars in 1989, Johnson, who at one point raced Legends cars on ovals, eventually made the transition to Funny Cars and currently drives the Skoal flopper owned by legendary driver Don Prudhomme.
Johnson’s victory earlier this year at Englishtown, N.J., was the ninth of his NHRA career. Johnson, who grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, is married to Top Fuel racer Melanie Troxel. He is one of 13 drivers in NHRA history to have won events in the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions.
Featured here (clockwise from top left): Standing with his Legends car in 1994; Celebrating his Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals victory over Gary Scelzi in Brainerd in 2006; Talking to his wife, Melanie Troxel, at Englishtown in June; Lighting up the night in Phoenix in 2006 before defeating John Force in the Funny Car finals; Sharing a smile with his sister, Wendy, in 1995; On track at Englishtown; Watching track activity in 1996.
— NSSN Archives