Steve Johnson will continue to celebrate his historic 40th year of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competition by bringing his 200-mph Suzuki to Maryland International Raceway, May 29-31, for the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals. It’s the second time this month that the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series makes its spectacular debut at a new racing facility during their 75th anniversary Nitro tour.
Johnson will be looking to add to his points total as he enters the Potomac Nationals clinging to10th in the NHRA Mission Foods standings. After a season opening semifinal finish in Gainesville, the independent team has suffered through a string of early exits hampered by rare parts breakage. The 5th race of 14-event Pro Stock Motorcycle season will be Johnson’s all-time, class leading 524th career NHRA national event and he hopes to turn things around in front of the Maryland race fans.
The Alabama-based racer will be making his first appearance at MIR, with the race already holding special meaning for Johnson.
“When we used to race at the Summer Nationals in Englishtown, early in my career, all the Pro Stock drivers spoke about racing at Budd’s Creek,” remembers Johnson. “I loved hearing all the exciting tales about their famous Wednesday night Pro Stock shows at MIR. Now, 38 years later, I actually get to race there. I’ve heard the race fans are crazy smart too. The extra bonus about racing in Maryland is that my main support and longtime sponsor, Robert A Tull Inc. of Maryland’s Finest Home Builders, lives in the area and will be helping us out all weekend.”
Johnson has plenty of experience racing on new tracks over the course of his 40 years on the NHRA tour.
“When racers talk about the knowledge gained while racing at their local track, I get envious,” admits the 12-time national event winner. “I don’t have a local track, but clearly, I’ve been racing on many of them for a long time. Obviously, every track is different, and racers are extremely detail oriented. From the slope of the track, the transition from concrete to asphalt, bumps, where the sun hits the track and so many other details, I promise you it all adds up to giving local racers an advantage.
“We are very excited about NHRA’s first race in the Northeast this season and we’ll be up for the task,” Johnson adds. “It should be really fast, and I’m looking forward to seeing how savvy and knowledgeable the race fans are in Maryland.”
This story was originally published on May 27, 2026. 
