In her debut at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Melanie Johnson delivered a standout performance behind the wheel of the McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, advancing to the semifinals and showcasing her growing strength in the category.
Johnson qualified solidly in the top half of the field, improving every pass with runs of 5.330 seconds, 5.293 seconds, and a best of 5.241 seconds at 272.23 mph to lock into the No. 6 qualifying position.
In eliminations, Johnson showed poise and driving skill, beginning with a first-round win against McKenna Bold. Both drivers battled early tire shake, but Johnson successfully pedaled her car and got it hooked up to run a 5.556 at 268.22 mph.
The second round provided one of the closest finishes of the event, with Johnson edging out Will Smith by just 0.0007 seconds (approximately three inches). Johnson had a slight starting line advantage with a 5.279 second E.T. against Smith’s 5.262.
Facing reigning world champion Shawn Cowie in the semifinals, Johnson left with a .026 reaction time to get ahead. She powered to a 5.245 at 270.92 mph, but Cowie’s 5.201 at 275.84 mph was enough to sneak past by only .0024 seconds (approximately 11 inches). Cowie went on to win the event.
“It was an emotional weekend for me, being my first U.S. Nationals, it’s the biggest race of the year and a very storied place for me and my family,” said Johnson. “But once I climbed into the car, I stayed focused on doing my job. Rich, Richie, and all the McPhillips Racing crew guys gave me a consistent car, and I’m proud of how we executed all weekend. To come away with strong qualifying runs, two big round wins, and a close semifinal against the world champ is a huge step forward for us.”
The weekend was also deeply personal for Johnson off the track. Together with her Aunt Pam, she carried on a long-standing tradition by placing a wreath and candle at the memorial stone for her late uncle, Blaine Johnson, located just past the finish line. “I ran into fans who told me Blaine was their favorite driver, and it still means so much to know that people remember him,” Johnson shared.
She credits the support of her team and valued partners AJPE, NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil, and ARP for making weekends like this possible.
Looking ahead, Johnson and the McPhillips Racing team will return to action September 12–14 at the 40th NHRA Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.
This story was originally published on September 3, 2025. 
