BRISTOL, Tenn. — Recent performances indicate that Allen Johnson may be closing in on his first victory during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and also his first win in the new era of Pro Stock.

The former Pro Stock world champion would gladly take that first win as soon as it comes in his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart, but if it took place at Bristol Dragway during the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 17-19, it would only be an added bonus.

The Greeneville, Tenn., native has been close to winning at his picturesque home track but has never stepped into the winner’s circle at Bristol Dragway. The magnitude of a victory in 2016 in the new Pro Stock class – which includes fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter – and having it come on Father’s Day isn’t lost on the class veteran.

“That certainly would be a double bonus,” Johnson said. “We got close last week (in Epping, N.H.) and we’ve really got some good momentum going and we’ve got some good team members learning this electronic fuel injection, but any win at Bristol would be a double or even triple bonus because it’s at home and Father’s Day. I love having my dad (Roy Johnson) on the team. I think (a win at Bristol) would rank up there with winning the Championship back in 2012.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the event that will for the first time be telecast on FOX Sports 1. It marks the 11th of 24 races during the 2016 season and Johnson heads into Bristol with as much momentum as he has had all year.

In his last four races, Johnson has advanced to three semifinals and a final round, which came last weekend in Epping. He fell to Greg Anderson, who earned his fourth win of the season, but Johnson continues to climb the points standings and currently sits in fourth. Johnson believes the team has come a long way in a short period of time learning the new EFI Pro Stock cars, but he wants to continue to push forward.

“We really were excited when we left Topeka and couldn’t wait until we got to New Hampshire,” said Johnson, who has 26 career victories. “I was a little disappointed in how our performance was in New England but we had a little luck. I’m really excited about our progress but I’m a little perplexed why we didn’t perform better in Epping. Hopefully we’ll figure it out in Englishtown this week and really do well in Bristol.”

That would allow Johnson to take another step forward as he keeps an eye on the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Tracking down points leader Jason Line, who already has five victories and eight final round appearances, and Anderson before then may be out of the question, but Johnson knows a strong summer would set up him nicely to make a run at a second world title during the Countdown to the Championship.

To do that, Johnson knows he needs victories during a busy stretch but there are a number of standouts who will try to prevent that in Bristol. Enders, the back-to-back and defending Pro Stock world champ, has two straight Bristol wins but like Johnson is searching for her first victory of 2016, while others to watch at Thunder Valley include Bo Butner, who is third in points, five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin, 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman, Chris McGaha and Vincent Nobile.

“Round wins are really important right now,” Johnson said. “This is a very important stretch and my hopes are that after this stretch we’ll be in the No. 3 spot. We’re working on different combinations and we’ve got a long term plan for our team but our team takes it one round at a time and that’ll set us up for the Western Swing and beyond.”

Racing at Bristol Dragway is always special for Johnson, in part because of the memories he’s previously shared with his father while racing there. Raising a Wally trophy on Father’s Day with his dad helping lead the way would surely add another.

“It’s really exciting,” Johnson said. “I spent many races there back in the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s as a teenager and we [Roy and Allen] both won races there in the sportsman categories and to continue to be a part of Bristol is special. Having my dad on my team is really cool and to win in Bristol on Father’s day would be really special, too.”

In Top Fuel last year, Crampton claimed his third victory en route to five wins a year ago. Crampton is after his first win of 2016 in a loaded Top Fuel class topped by points leader Doug Kalitta, who won three straight races before Epping. Others to watch include five-time Bristol winner and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, defending world champion Antron Brown, who won the most recent race, two-time 2016 event winner Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, who won at Bristol in 2013, J.R. Todd, Clay Millican and Shawn Langdon.

Funny Car’s Hagan won for the first time at his hometown track last year and has been red-hot recently, winning back-to-back races before Epping. Courtney Force currently has the points lead in the star-studded class and has one victory this season, but competition will be tough at Bristol Dragway and comes in the form of stars like four-time Bristol winner John Force, reigning world champion Del Worsham, three-time event winner Ron Capps, who won the most recent race in Epping, Robert Hight, two-time 2016 winner Tim Wilkerson, Jack Beckman and Las Vegas winner Alexis DeJoria.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns for its fifth race of the 2016 season at Bristol. The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 18, at 1 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 19.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Bristol Dragway at (423) 989-6900. Tickets also are available online at www.bristoldragway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

Before heading to Bristol Dragway, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will make a stop at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., for the NHRA Summernationals, June 9-12. Keep up with all the NHRA action on FOX Sports 1.

* * *

NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the 11th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. Competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Series also will be featured at this event.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. From Interstate 81 North, take Hwy. 11E. Take the Virginia Exit 3 and Hwy. 11E will take you directly to the dragway. From the I-81 South, take Tennessee exit 69 and go south on Hwy 394 directly to the dragway.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 1,475 feet above sea level; Track direction is southwest to northwest.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 17-19

SCHEDULE:        

FRIDAY, June 17 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 5 and 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 18- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 12:15 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 2:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1 and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 19 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon.

TELEVISION:      

SATURDAY, June 18, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 2 p.m.  (ET)

SUNDAY, June 19, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 4:30 p.m. (ET)

2015 EVENT WINNERS: Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock.

MOST VICTORIES:  Tony Schumacher, 5, TF; Mike Edwards, 4, PS; John Force, 4, FC; Doug Kalitta, 3, TF; Ron Capps, 3, FC.

TRACK RECORDS:            

Top Fuel – 3.745 sec. by Tony Schumacher, June ’15; 331.04 mph by Larry Dixon, June ’15.

Funny Car – 3.978 sec. and 323.43 mph by John Force, June ’15.

Pro Stock – 6.621 sec. and 208.78 mph by Shane Gray, June ’14.

NATIONAL RECORDS:    

Top Fuel – 3.676 sec. by Brittany Force, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.862 sec. and 335.57 mph by Matt Hagan, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

TICKETS: For tickets call Bristol Dragway at (423) 989-6900. Tickets also available at www.bristoldragway.com.