NORWALK, Ohio – It’s been more than five weeks since the Pro Stock Motorcycle class last raced, and Steve Johnson still hasn’t stopped celebrating.
The class returns this weekend for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park and Johnson will look to keep rolling after picking up the victory at the most recent race for the class.
It was the first victory in more than seven years for the veteran and he did it in style on his Slick 50 Suzuki, setting the track record and making the quickest pass on a Suzuki in Pro Stock Motorcycle history. The new four-valve Suzuki has already shown impressive potential and now Johnson will have a chance to pick up where he left off when he heads to Norwalk this weekend.
“I wanted to celebrate for another five weeks,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to learn all this stuff on this Suzuki, and it’s been fascinating. We’ve worked our butts off, but when you have success, you have to recognize it and celebrate it. I’m really, really happy and that win was the most important and satisfying win of my career. My team and I definitely want to get back out there and do as good as we can. This is really exciting and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners at the 2019 event.
Johnson has experienced a career renaissance on the new Suzuki, advancing to a pair of final rounds and winning in Charlotte. It has him third in points and he senses plenty of excitement brewing for this weekend’s race in Norwalk. The fanbase is hungry for NHRA racing for the first time since 2019 and Johnson hopes to stay on the winning track against a talent-filled Pro Stock Motorcycle class that includes points leader and defending champ Matt Smith, five-time event winner Andrew Hines, Scotty Pollacheck, Angelle Sampey, Scotty Pollacheck, Eddie Krawiec, Angie Smith and Ryan Oehler.
“We’re excited about this race. It’s fun to run in the summer when it’s so challenging, plus we get to eat ice cream there,” Johnson said. “The Bader family is great, and this race is so important for us. We’ve seen incredible fan participation and crowds at these last couple of races, and I truly believe Ohio and Norwalk is going to be even bigger. We’re focused on getting out there and doing well in Norwalk.”
In Pro Stock, Aaron Stanfield is riding high after picking up the win in Epping, heading to Norwalk second in points in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro. If that’s not enough excitement, the young standout is set to make his first appearance at the track and he’s looking to make an immediate impression. Stanfield earned his first career win in the class a year ago and has shown all the merits of a championship contender, already advancing to two final rounds in 2021.
To keep his strong start going, he’ll have to contend with another large and talented Pro Stock field that’s led by points leader Greg Anderson, who has enjoyed plenty of success in Norwalk over the years. The class also includes stars like defending Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders, Charlotte winner and rookie Dallas Glenn, 2019 winner Chris McGaha, Mason McGaha, Kyle Koretsky, Deric Kramer and Troy Coughlin Jr.
“We are excited to get to Norwalk and compete this weekend,” Stanfield said. “It’s a great race track with great fans. I will be racing my Elite (Motorsports)-powered Pro Stock car and my (Constant Aviation) Factory Stock hot rod, and we would like to keep the momentum rolling. This is my first Pro Stock race in Norwalk and I am looking forward to seeing what my team and I can accomplish.”
Top Fuel’s Torrence will look for continued success at the facility and extend his sizable points lead in the process. There are plenty others capable of pulling off the victory as well, including Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, Gainesville winner Josh Hart, Shawn Langdon, Leah Pruett, Billy Torrence and Clay Millican.
Funny Car’s John Force has two victories in the past three races, with his teammate Robert Hight winning the other during that span. John Force Racing will look for its fourth straight win in 2021, but will be challenged by points leader Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Tim Wilkerson, Ron Capps and Matt Hagan.