Johnson Jnr extinguishes Night of Fire field

 

American Top Alcohol star Tommy Johnson Jnr has beaten Australia’s biggest ever Aeroflow Nitro Outlaw Funny car field to take out Sydney Dragway’s Night of Fire event.

Johnson Jnr defeated Queensland’s Greg Leahy, driving the Harbour City Hustler, while Justin Walshe claimed the final place on the podium.

“This really was a amazing event,” said Johnson Jnr.

“I told Graeme [Cowin], ‘We’re going to need to a run a little faster if were going to win this thing’, and he stepped it up – so – thanks Graeme!” 

Second placed Leahy was strong all night, and was undefeated until the final pass.

“We had a fantastic run, and I have to say thank you to Graeme and Wendy Cowin,” he said. 

“There is no one else who puts so much into drag racing and asks for nothing back. They are wonderful people and this was a great event.” 

Third place getter Justin Walshe left his best to last in the Lets Boogie Mustang with a scorching side-by-side pass against Anthony Begley’s Storm Trooper in the final round.

Walshe took the win with an impressive 5.77-second elapsed time.

“We got there in the end!” Walshe said. 

“The crew, the track the organisers, we have to thank everyone for a great event.”

Marketing Manager for the Aeroflow Nitro Funny Car Series, Rob Sharp said the annual vent was again a success.

“Undoubtedly, this has been the best events that we have run to date and we have run some good ones,” Sharp said. 

“I am proud of all of the race teams as well as the Aeroflow and Sydney Dragway teams that have helped such an amazing community for these nitro cars.

“Steve Bettes has just done an outstanding job, keeping it all running smoothly and Graeme and Wendy Cowin for their vision of what this could be, as well as their tenacity to make it happen,” he added.

The Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars head to Victoria’s Portland Raceway for the next round of the series, held 3 January, 2015.