The question of who will drive the second Rapisarda Autosport International Top Fuel dragster at the 2013 Nitro Champs has been answered with veteran driver Tommy Johnson Jr flying to Sydney to compete.
Johnson Jr will be driving the same dragster that last month reset the Australian national record for Top Fuel to 4.503 seconds with three-times world champion Larry Dixon at the wheel.
Rapisarda Autosport International crew chief Lee Beard confirmed Johnson Jr in an article on CompetitionPlus.com.
“Tommy is going to drive for us over there because Larry has some commitments here in the United States,” Beard told the US-based drag racing website. “We feel Tommy is the best available US driver and he is not committed to race anything at Atlanta (being run on the same weekend as the Nitro Champs) so it worked out good for us.”
From Johnson Jr, a simple tweet gave the first indication he would be coming to Australia, saying “Fire up the barbie mates I’ll see you soon”.
Since making his Top Fuel debut in 1989, Johnson Jr has gone on to win nine NHRA events across both Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car.
Johnson Jr will be one of three US drivers competing at the Nitro Champs, adding to Mike Janis in Top Doorslammer and Brandon Huhtala in Pro Stock.
We will bring you more news from the Rapisarda Autosport International camp in the lead up to the Nitro Champs, May 3-5 at Sydney Dragway.