As Tommy Johnson Jr. and the SKOAL Racing Team gear up for the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville March 15-18, they are making moves to ensure some stability in their runs.
Johnson tested a new chassis for his Chevy Impala Skoal Racing funny car after a series of inconsistent runs at both Pomona and Phoenix in the first two stops on the NHRA season.
“The testing in Phoenix went really well, †said Johnson. “The car has been very unpredictable. We lost traction after a couple of nice runs, so, we tried a new chassis and got favorable results with some signs of increased consistency. We’re looking forward to using the new car in Gainesville. â€
TJ is also looking forward to catching up with his friend Aaron Rowand, centerfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, when he visits the team’s spring training facility in Clearwater, FL next Thursday. Johnson and Rowand struck up a friendship at last year’s ESPY Awards where TJ’s wife, Melanie Troxel was the recipient of an ESPY. It turned out that Rowand, who grew up in Pomona, CA, is a huge drag racing fan. The two sports professionals have been in constant touch and now Tommy will get a chance to see Rowand in action when he visits camp.
“I’m looking forward to getting the chance to take some swings during batting practice and catch up with Aaron, †said Tommy. “He’s been wearing a shirt I gave him under his warm-ups. I hope he’s washed it a few times since I’ve seen him last. â€
After a slow start to the 2007 season, Skoal Racing is looking to make an impact in Florida. The crew stayed over in Phoenix for the test session after Johnson’s decent opening run (4.73) was mired by lost traction twice over the weekend. Johnson had hoped to repeat last year’s Checker Schuck’s Kragen victory. At last year’s Gatornationals, Johnson was stopped by Robert Hight in Round 1 of eliminations.
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