The Speedmaster Top Alcohol Dragster driver opened the Stampede of Speed with a standout performance, earning the No. 1 qualifying spot, setting a new career-best elapsed time and advancing to the final round at Texas Motorplex.
Melanie Johnson kicked off the Stampede of Speed with an impressive performance at Texas Motorplex, earning a runner-up finish in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional event while setting a new career-best elapsed time.
Johnson immediately showed the pace of the Speedmaster Top Alcohol Dragster during qualifying. She laid down a 5.173-second pass at 277.71 mph, earning the No. 1 qualifying position and establishing a new personal best E.T.
The momentum continued into Sunday’s eliminations.
Johnson opened the day with a strong first-round victory over Chris Demke, posting a 5.222 at 277.38 mph against Demke’s 5.406 at 274.07 mph. She then advanced to the final round with another impressive performance in the semifinals, defeating Jamie Noonan with a 5.219 at 276.34 mph.
In the final, Johnson faced Alan Bradshaw in an extremely tight battle. She recorded a solid 5.240-second pass at 275.20 mph, but Bradshaw edged her out with a 5.227 at 275.13 mph. The final margin was just 0.021 seconds.
Despite narrowly missing the win, the weekend marked a significant milestone for Johnson, who returned to competition after four weeks away from the car since the U.S. Nationals.
“To be out of the car for four weeks and set a career-best E.T. on the first run of the weekend really sets the tone,” Johnson said, crediting the performance to the AJPE power and the work of her team.
The runner-up finish also gives Johnson plenty of momentum heading into the second weekend of the Stampede of Speed. She will remain at Texas Motorplex for the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, while also competing in the prestigious JEGS Allstars event after earning enough points throughout the season to represent the Central Region in Top Alcohol Dragster.
Action begins Thursday, October 15, with Johnson scheduled to appear alongside fellow JEGS Allstars and Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors at the Pre-Stage FanFest in Waxahachie.
With the Texas Fall Nationals and JEGS Allstars still ahead, Johnson enters the second weekend with clear goals: build on her career-best performance, fight for a JEGS Allstars victory and pursue her first win of the Texas Fall Nationals.
After the way she started the Stampede of Speed, momentum is firmly on her side.
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