Melanie Johnson has been selected as a 2026 grant recipient by the Shift Up Now Foundation. The announcement, made in celebration of Women’s History Month, marks a significant milestone as Johnson becomes the first drag racer in the organization’s history to receive a grant.
The Shift Up Now Foundation is dedicated to driving gender equality in motorsports by providing critical funding and resources to talented female athletes. For the 2026 season, the Foundation awarded over $300,000 in grants to 15 drivers across 10 different racing series.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the Shift Up Now Athletes this year and represent an organization that is making things happen for females in motorsport,” said Johnson. “To be the first drag racer included in this group is a privilege, and I’m eager to help expand the foundation’s reach into the NHRA community. Thank you to all of the wonderful people and organizations that support the Shift Up Now Foundation.”
A second-generation racer and driver of the McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, Johnson has quickly made a name for herself in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Since her debut in 2025, she has secured her first regional victory at Norwalk and multiple semifinal finishes at prestigious events like the U.S. Nationals and the Texas Fall Nationals.
Beyond her performance on the track, Johnson is deeply committed to fostering growth for women in the industry. She currently serves as a committee member for the Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) Southern California Chapter, working to create networking and professional development opportunities for women across all disciplines of racing.
The support from Shift Up Now joins an existing roster of valued partners, including NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil, ARP, and Alan Johnson Performance Engineering (AJPE). With the 2026 season underway, Johnson and the McPhillips Racing team remain focused on consistency and championship contention.
This story was originally published on March 18, 2026. 
