Allen Johnson took a break from NHRA Pro Stock competition to try his hand at some road racing. The Team Mopar NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series driver trained with experienced road racer Cindi Lux at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City, UT, recently in preparation for his upcoming engagement in the Dodge Viper Cup series.
Johnson is currently second in the Pro Stock standings and experienced a Viper Competition Coupe during the practice session. He will take the wheel of a V10-powered Dodge Viper ACR-X in the upcoming Dodge Viper Cup series event at Pocono Raceway. If Johnson takes the win as a celebrity driver, the purse will be donated to a charity of his choice.
“It was awesome to have the chance to go road racing,” said Johnson, who will begin the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs next weekend at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind. “I got to do four thirty-minute sessions, and when you get done there isn’t a dry place on you. It is hard work.”
As part of the 2010 Dodge Viper Cup series season, various celebrity drivers have been invited to drive in the actual on-track completion. Each celebrity driver is specifically chosen by Dodge Motorsports and specially trained for all the competition. Cindi Lux competed successfully in a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and brings extensive experience in management of Dodge Viper SRT10 Clubs along with various celebrity driver programs.
“Cindi really helped me to learn the fine points of road racing. The Viper ACR-X is making a lot of power and it’s got a lot of stick. You can throw it in turns at 80-90 mph and it will stick. I feel like I made a lot of progress with the practice, and getting ready for the real race with the professionals. I feel like I may have something for them,” Johnson added.
The Dodge Viper Cup series features the new Dodge Viper ACR-X, a special-edition model of America’s ultimate sports car. The Pocono Raceway event runs September 11 – 12, 2010.