Melanie Johnson is bringing a new look to the NHRA Winternationals, announcing Speedmaster as her primary partner for the 2026 season. The partnership officially hits the track April 9-12 at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, where Johnson’s Top Alcohol Dragster will debut its new Speedmaster livery at her home race.
The partnership is built on a natural alignment between two names driven by horsepower. Speedmaster is defined by a mission to blend traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. These same values drive the Johnson family, whose name, like Speedmaster’s, has been synonymous with championship-winning performance for decades.
For Johnson, the deal is the result of a deliberate, long-term effort to find a partner that values both on-track results and off-track substance. Beyond her role as a driver, Johnson will contribute her digital marketing expertise to Speedmaster, helping to grow the brand’s online presence while they support her pursuit of an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship.
Melanie Johnson (second from right), Alan Johnson (second from left) along with Speedmaster executives (Jason Kencevski and Melissa Parra) look forward to exciting 2026, photo credit Speedmaster
“I met Melissa Parra (COO of Speedmaster) at a Women in Motorsports North America event last year, and our initial conversation quickly turned into a shared vision for how we could work together,” said Johnson. “After touring their facility in Los Angeles and talking with CEO Jason Kencevski, I was struck by the professionalism of their team and the legacy of their business. There is a clear parallel between the performance-driven mindset at Speedmaster and the way my dad and I have always approached racing. I’ve been working to put a program like this together since I started my career, and I’m grateful that Jason and Melissa recognized my passion for both marketing and racing.”
Johnson enters 2026 following a standout rookie season where she proved she has the grit to match her family’s storied name. In 2025, she secured a North Central Regional victory in Norwalk, finished in the Top 10 of the National Championship points standings, and was named to the Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 list. Her momentum has continued into the new year, having recently been announced as a 2026 Shift Up Now Athlete.
“What made this partnership straightforward was how Melanie operates. She came to Speedmaster with a clear understanding of the brand, a plan for how she could contribute on and off the track, and the work ethic to back it up. She races, she’s building her own path in the sport, and she brings the same discipline to marketing and brand representation that the Johnson name is known for on the starting line,” said Melissa Parra, COO of Speedmaster.
Johnson will continue to compete with the McPhillips Racing team, led by Rich McPhillips Sr. and Rich McPhillips Jr., as they contend for the 2026 Top Alcohol Dragster world title.
This story was originally published on April 3, 2026. 
