BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tommy Johnson Jr. raced to his first Funny Car victory of the season and the 13th of his career Sunday in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Johnson had a 4.038-second pass at 313.22 mph in a Dodge Charger R/T to beat teammate and two-time 2016 winner Matt Hagan in the final. Hagan had a 4.030 at 317.57.
Johnson, a two-time Bristol winner, is seventh in the season standings.
"We're just slow starters, but we're strong finishers," Johnson said. "The guys kept working hard and have kept their heads down. We got hot in Epping with a runner-up finish and we are on a roll now and we're looking good."
Shawn Langdon won in Top Fuel, and points leader Jason Line topped the Pro Stock field.
Langdon won for the first time this season, racing to a 3.838 at 322.19 to edge teammate and eight-time season champion Tony Schumacher. Langdon, also the 2014 Bristol winner, has 12 career victories.
Line powered his Chevrolet Camaro to his sixth victory of the season and 43rd of his career, outlasting teammate Greg Anderson in the final round. Line sprinted to a 6.668 at 207.59 to better Anderson's 6.694 at 207.62. Line also won at the track in 2006.
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