Steve Johnson is an established star on the NHRA POWERade Series circuit with his Snap-on Tools-sponsored Suzuki TL-1000, a machine that carried him to a career-best 6.987 second elapsed in the quarter mile during the season-opening Gatornationals just two weeks ago. But Johnson, nearing his 21st anniversary as a professional drag racer, is much more than a talented racer. He s a multi-faceted individual able to interact with people across a wide spectrum of society, and the next week provides an interesting window into his rather hectic existence.
As a result of Johnson s dealings with the Birmingham Business Development Board he ll dine with Alabama Governor Bob Riley and President of the Jefferson County Commission, Bettye Fine Collins on Thursday evening, during which he ll outline for the state s leader his thoughts on moving his racing business from California to Alabama. “I hope that my reasons for moving my operation to Birmingham, and how that move has enhanced our operation, will give the governor some ammunition in his efforts to convince other businesses to move here, ” Johnson said. “Governor Riley and his staff know far more about those things than I do, of course, but I hope our story proves helpful to those efforts. ”
Less than 24 hours after their dinner meeting Johnson will have jumped on a commercial flight for Houston, where he ll compete in the NHRA O Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in suburban Baytown. “Going from a formal meeting with our state s leader to the drag strip in Texas is a pretty big transition, ” Johnson admits. “I ve got to change my whole approach to everything. I ve got to transition from being a businessman trying to do my part in helping our state s employee base expand into becoming a single-minded racer determined to reach the winners circle. It may sound a little difficult, but I love the challenges that my life is giving me. ”
| 
|