| September 13, 2021
With a career that began in the mid-1980s, Steve Johnson is NHRA’s longest-tenured Pro Stock Motorcycle racer and now, the MacRak Suzuki rider is leading the Camping World standings for the first time in seven years following a clutch win in Reading, Pennsylvania, September 10-12.
Steve Johnson out-dueled Eddie Krawiec in the final. Photo: Matt Polito
Johnson went to the final round for the third time in 2021 and cashed in by beating Vance & Hines Buell’s Eddie Krawiec. Johnson didn’t just win the event; he dominated with a string of 6.7-second elapsed times that none of his opponents could match. Johnson saved his best run for last with a 6.775 that was more than enough to hold off Krawiec’s 6.870.
As he celebrated the win, Johnson couldn’t help but reflect on the previous two days, where he struggled during qualifying. At that time, he thought he’d missed a golden opportunity, but clearly that wasn’t the case.
“The [rider] that was here on Friday and Saturday; he was atrocious,” Johnson said, referring to himself. “The weather was so fantastic, and everyone was counting on fast, record-setting times. I just got sideways, and everybody said to go back to fundamentals. I was out here for a long time before racing started just working on the fundamentals. You can always learn. I was really, really bad on Friday and Saturday, and everyone was going fast. That’s a classic example of riding a bike or driving it, and the driver was here on Sunday.”
Johnson also defeated Jim Underdahl, Scotty Pollacheck and number-one qualifier Angelle Sampey. Johnson’s resurgence in the class coincides with the NHRA rules revision that gave the Suzuki entries a four-valve cylinder head. Johnson has enjoyed perhaps the biggest benefit, with career-best elapsed times and three final-round appearances.
Johnson’s timing could not have been more perfect. Not only did he snap a seven-year winless drought, but he also took over the points lead in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoff to determine season champions. Johnson has never won a championship in his long career, but he’s now among the favorites to do just that. Johnson currently enjoys a 12-point lead over reigning and four-time champion Matt Smith, while Krawiec is third in points, 36 behind Johnson.
Johnson is leading the NHRA Pro Stock Championship for the first time in seven years.
For Krawiec, the news wasn’t all bad. Three weeks ago, he was close to the bottom of the standings after missing the first two races of the season. A week ago, he won NHRA’s biggest event, the Dodge SRT U.S. Nationals for the third time in his career. Krawiec, seeking a fifth NHRA title, carried the momentum of his Indy win into Reading where he rode to the 78th final round of his career with wins over Kelly Clontz and the husband-wife team of Angie and Matt Smith.
Matt Smith dominated the early part of the season with his Denso Buell but struggled in Reading with a mechanical issue he’s yet to diagnose. Despite the loss, Smith remains a strong contender to win a fifth title.
The Reading event was also a mixed bag for three-time world champ Angelle Sampey. Returning to the site of her first career win in 1996, the Vance & Hines Buell rider was the top qualifier with a 6.745 run and scored wins against Jianna Salinas and Karen Stoffer. Sampey slowed to a 6.860 in the semifinal round and lost to Johnson.
The Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series is in the middle of a grueling stretch of three races in three weeks with the tour set to move to zMax Dragway near Charlotte, North Carolina next week.
Kevin McKenna
Reading, Pennsylvania
RESULTS (September 10-12, 2021)
FINAL
| 1. |
Steve Johnson |
(Suz) |
| 2. |
Eddie Krawiec |
(Bue) |
Click here for complete NHRA Reading results.
Click here for more information on the NHRA Championship.
