NHRA (INDY) - JOHNSON JR. GEARED UP FOR SKOAL SHOWDOWN

If Tommy Johnson Jr. ever needed any more incentive to win the upcoming Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, all he has to do is look up in the stands. The Indiana native returns home as the SKOAL Racing team makes their way to O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis this weekend.

Johnson is also one of eight drivers who will compete in this weekend’s SKOAL Showdown, an eight-driver tournament that features the Funny Car drivers who have earned the most points during qualifying in a 23-race span. Drivers started earning points for the 2007 season at the 2006 Indianapolis event and continued to accumulate points through the 2007 NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals at Reading, Pa. on August 19. A race-day purse of $147,000 is available for the eight drivers competing, with the winner capturing the $100,000 top prize.

“Indy is our Super Bowl and it would make ‘07 a great season to get a victory here. We were runner up to John Force in the SKOAL Showdown final last year, but we face each other in the first round this year. I expect a different outcome this time around.”

Johnson is also excited to be back in Indiana competing in front of family and friends.

“It is always a pleasure to be able to sleep in your own bed at the biggest drag race on the planet. It will take a little of the stress away to be able to go home at night after a long day at the track. We've got all of our friends and family here this weekend and I can't wait to put on a great show for them. “