This time, Johnson can celebrate victory

National Dragster, Apr 1, 2005 by McKenna, Kevin

When Steve Johnson ended his 17-year quest by winning his first NHRA national event last year in Madison, his long-awaited celebration was muted due to the death of Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell earlier in the day. At this event, after prevailing over the toughest and quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle field ever and defeating Craig Treble for his second career win, there was no holding back, and Johnson's celebration was very vocal and unrestrained.

"When I won the final [in Madison], I didn't know that Darrell had died," Johnson recalled. "I was all set to cut loose, then they told me to keep it low-key. There was no interview and no winner's circle. I was okay with that out of respect for Darrell, but this time, I really want to enjoy this."

Johnson had plenty of reason to savor the moment. As did almost every other rider in Gainesville, Johnson made the quickest run of his career during qualifying, a 7.077 that wasn't even good enough to make the top half of the record field, which Andrew Hines led with a barrier-crushing 6.991. Johnson's Snap-on Tools Suzuki ran solidly in the 7.1s on race day, and he reached his eighth career final, where he outran Craig Treble, 7.13 to 7.16.

In the press center, members of the media were treated to a live and uncensored full-throttle blast from the highly animated Johnson. Delivering an unscrpited dissertation that went on for half an hour, he barely stopped to take a breath, much less a question. Johnson did, however, reveal much about the drive and determination that has made him pursue his dreams for nearly two decades.

"You give up a lot to do this," he said. "This is the first time in my career that I've gone into the season without a full-time deal. I have Snap-on Tools for four races, but that's all. I've got a shop and an 18-wheeler that I have to pay, and I've got a couple of guys - Shane Maloney and Tim Kulungian - on my payroll, but you know what, I'm more confident about my ability to find a sponsor than to win a race."

Johnson admittedly got lucky in the first two rounds, winning over a pair of highly favored V-Twin riders, Chip Ellis and low qualifier Hines, both of whom fouled. In the semi's, Johnson got the clutch out three-hundredths ahead of U.S. Army rider Antron Brown and held on for a six-thousandths victory.

"Everybody was worried about the V-Twins, and we should be because they're really fast, but Terry Vance told me, 'If you've got a bike that can run 7.0s, you can win this race.' He was absolutely right," said Johnson. "Today all of the smart guys made the kind of mistakes that a knucklehead like me usually does.

"My bike bogged in the semi's, and before the final [Vance & Hines crew chief] Greg Cope came over and said, 'Bog in the final, and you're going to lose,' so I cranked up the starting-line rpm more than I ever have. I cut a decent light, and I outran him. It's stressful being a team owner and tuner while trying to find sponsors, but I'm really proud to be able to say that I did my job as a rider."

Treble caught a break when GT Tonglet broke his Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson in round two, and he reached his 19th career final with a 7.15 to 7.20 win over Karen Stoffer's GEICO Motorcycle Suzuki in the semi's.

"I lost to Steve last year [on a holeshot] in the Madison final, so I told myself, 'He's not leaving on me, period/ " said Treble after the final. "I was so focused on cutting a light - and I did leave on him - that I really didn't concentrate on hitting my shift points. I bumped the rev limiter a couple of times, and that's why I slowed down. I looked over at 1,000 feet and knew I was done.

"I didn't think the Suzukis would have a prayer this weekend," said Treble. "I thought we'd get slaughtered by all of those V-Twins, so I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out."

- Kevin McKenna