Alan Johnson says adios to the U.S Army, Schumacher
Alan Johnson, left, will leave the U.S. Army team to form his own team next season.
Alan Johnson, who has won more Top Fuel titles than any other crew chief, officially dropped the hammer on arguably the most dominant team in drag racing today.
Johnson, who helped Tony Schumacher win the past four Top Fuel championships and the reason Schumacher is cruising to a fifth this season with 10 wins through the first 17 events, announced today he will leave the U.S. Army team to form a two-car team with Qatar-based Al-Anabi Racing, beginning next season. The team will field a Top Fuel dragster and a Funny Car coupe.
Johnson hinted two years ago that if a deal to form his own way, he would strongly consider it. That time came today.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Alan Johnson Racing," Johnson said. "We look forward to our relationship with Al-Anabi Racing and the people of Qatar. It's widely known that my goal for quite some time now has been to become a team owner again, and this is my best opportunity to achieve that goal.
"I have enjoyed a wonderful experience with the U.S. Army race team. I wouldn't change the past five years for anything. My focus for the remainder of the season will be to put forth my best effort to win the fifth consecutive championship for the U.S. Army, Tony Schumacher, and (Don Schumacher Racing)."
This will be a major hit for Schumacher. At best, this drops the U.S. Army team to the rest of the field, and if you look at the pre-Johnson era for this team, even further down the ladder as it struggled before Johnson came aboard midway through the 2003 season.
Johnson? Don't be surprised if his team wins the title next season. But that also depends on who he brings in to pilot this new ride.
With the success Alan has had with the Army TF car, he could have written his own ticket with dozens of US sponsors. Its a shame to see him get into bed with enemys of the US. He's too good for that.