Allen Johnson announces retirement from Pro Stock

Allen Johnson

Allen Johnson, 57, announced his retirement at the end of this season from his 22-year Pro Stock career during a press conference Friday at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.

The 27-time NHRA winner loyal to his Mopar HEMI-powered Dodge said, "It's been an amazing run for my dad and I, but it just felt like now was the right time to step away from the Pro Stock chapter of our careers. We've celebrated an NHRA world championship, captured wins at historic tracks like Gainesville, Pomona, and Bandimere, and basically lived our dream for 22 years. We couldn't have done it without the help and hard work of our J&J Racing team members over the years.

"Mopar has been there for all those 22 years, through the good times and the bad, either as our primary or associate sponsor, and it's been just an amazing relationship. I've gotten close to so many folks from the brand, including Pietro [Gorlier, head of parts and service for Mopar], who has shown us great support. We've also become friends with thousands of Mopar fans, who are some of the most passionate people you'll run into. They've always had our back and cheered us on, I think because they know dad and I are just like them. Our whole lives, all we've ever driven is Mopar."

And he saved his best for each July at the Mopar brand's biggest event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. That earned him the nickname "King of the Mountain." Carrying the Mopar banner, he won seven times, tied for most with NHRA and class legend Bob Glidden, and advanced to a record 11 final rounds. Between 2007-2016, Johnson built an amazing streak of 10 straight final-round appearances and a near-perfect 37-3 round-win record at that facility.

“We thought we were done at the end of 2015 and Marathon Petroleum Corporation stepped up to help us out," Johnson said. “They’re a great partner of mine in business and they saw the value in the NHRA and our program, and they stepped up and saved the day. The people at Marathon Petroleum have gone above and beyond for me in business and on track, and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for our team the last two years."

Gorlier saluted Johnson as “a beloved ambassador for more than 20 years" and said the racer “has earned a special place in the hearts of our fans and in the history of our brand. We will never forget Allen succeeding in his long quest to capture a Pro Stock championship — or his amazing run of victories at our showcase event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

“I speak not just for the Mopar brand, but also on a personal level, when I say we cherish the special bonds we have built with AJ and his father Roy over the years," he said. “It’s been a family affair for them, and we wish them both, as well as the entire J&J Racing team, nothing but the best as they move on to their next challenge."