By: Werner Communications
LAS VEGAS (November 11, 2024) – Melanie Johnson, daughter of 13-time Top Fuel world champion tuner Alan Johnson, made her competitive debut in the Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) category at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past weekend.
Johnson qualified fifth in the 8-car field during the second qualifying session, running a 5.291-second pass at 274.11 mph among 15 competitors. In the first round, she faced 5-time TAD world champion Joey Severance, gaining a starting line advantage but losing traction just past the 60-foot mark. She ultimately had to shut off as Severance pulled ahead with a 5.309-second run at 273.44 mph.
Reflecting on the weekend, Johnson said, “I’m still wrapping my head around achieving my goals of licensing and racing a Top Alcohol Dragster this year. Huge thanks to Rich McPhillips Sr. and Rich McPhillips Jr. for giving me the chance to drive their ‘green car’ and guiding me through the driving procedures. I couldn’t ask for a better group of racers to work with and learn from. Although I would have loved to go more rounds, I’m proud of how I handled the car and all the seat time, learning something from each run.”
Ahead of the event, Johnson completed two test runs on Thursday, experiencing severe tire shake on both. However, she managed to step off the gas quickly and maintain control. In Friday’s first qualifying round, the car, set up aggressively, ran a 0.919 sixty-foot time—one of the event’s quickest—but drifted out of the groove, leading her to coast to a 6.759-second pass at 132.99 mph. The second and third qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday allowed Johnson to make smooth passes down the quarter mile, clocking a 5.291 in Q2 and a 5.335 in Q3, securing her the fifth qualifying position.
“Overall, it was a solid weekend. Melanie got test laps, qualifying runs, and an elimination round in a tough field. She competed against other A/Fuel and blown alcohol cars and experienced a lot of different conditions,” commented Rich McPhillips Jr. “She was unfazed, stayed focused, and did her job. Unfortunately, we didn’t give her the best car this weekend, with the severe tire shake, but she handled it well.”
Johnson dedicated this year to competing in Super Comp, working with Tom Bayer Racing to hone her driving fundamentals and reaction times, participating in six events to date. She had been in discussions with McPhillips Racing for over a year about earning her TAD license, which she achieved in a Monday test session in August following the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. She completed three successful passes in the McPhillips Racing dragster, including a half-track pass of 5.739 seconds at 182.53 mph, followed by full-length passes of 5.289 at 267.53 mph and 5.317 at 269.89 mph, demonstrating her potential as a driver.
Johnson’s father has been supportive of her journey into the TAD ranks. “As I watched Melanie license earlier this year in Brainerd, I was impressed by her track awareness and how well she adapted to the increased acceleration of an A/Fuel dragster,” Alan Johnson shared proudly. “In Las Vegas this weekend, Mel seemed to take the added pressure of competing in her first TAD event in stride as she displayed excellent track awareness, starting line patience, and excellent reaction times. I believe she will develop into a very competitive driver in the TAD class moving forward.”
Johnson has a bright future in TAD racing and is determined to run a full season in 2025. She is currently pursuing sponsorship opportunities and coordinating with McPhillips Racing for additional seat time. Her ultimate goal is to become a Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion, following in the footsteps of her father and her late uncle, Blaine Johnson, who together won four consecutive TAD titles from 1991 to 1994. She is eager to continue the Johnson family legacy in NHRA drag racing.
