Drag Racing Gets Toyota, Johnson Entry

Toyota Racing Development and funny car team owner Alan Johnson announced Wednesday they have joined forces to compete in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series. The 2002 Toyota Celica makes its debut today during qualifying for the 42nd K&N; Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Toyota becomes the first import manufacturer to compete in the series’ nitro fuel ranks.

“We wanted it to be at least equal to the Firebird, and in the wind tunnel it’s a little better,” Johnson said. “Under the best conditions the Celica [reduces] maybe 5% of drag; under poor conditions, you’d have the same drag but 5%-10% more downforce.”

Gary Scelzi, who won three top fuel dragster championships, will drive the Celica this weekend. Today’s qualifying run takes place less than a week after the body’s completion; it was finished Friday.

White Cap Industries, a supplier of construction hardware, tools and material, was announced as the team’s primary sponsor. Johnson said there are plans for Bruce Sarver to drive a second funny car entry in two weeks at Phoenix.

Bodywork was developed using the production Celica GT-S as a baseline, and Johnson said designers at Swift Engineering in San Clemente produced a competitive body in only nine weeks. Johnson Racing won’t have a second body available until Saturday.

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Martin Henderson