POMONA, CA – There will be something big missing from the 2021 Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona. Ben Conant aka “Big Ben” of DJ Safety will not be there, but his spirit will be. Conant lost a battle with Covid-19 and left this world way too soon.

“Big Ben and DJ Safety was not only a huge supporter of Johnny Ahten Racing, but of many of the teams out here,” said Johnny Ahten. “He was the heart and soul of a strong racing community and will be sorely missed. We are racing this weekend in his honor.”

Johnny Ahten and his Top Alcohol Dragster know as the “Stump Puller” will be racing in the Top Alcohol Dragster class at the NHRA Auto Club Finals at the Pomona Fairplex November 11th to the 14th. Qualifying starts Thursday the 11th and continues through Saturday. Eliminations are scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday the 13th.

Ahten Racing’s last outing in Vegas saw a return to the 5.20’s and hopeful progress. Several mechanical gremlins prevented the team from advancing beyond their strong qualifying effort at the national event. Crew chief Al Ahten along with Bob Ahten, Vince Degl’Innoccenti, Brandon Chesleigh, Vaughn Bladen, Karen Bladen, Rick Cameron and Chuck Costabile are all prepared for a strong Pomona finish.

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Pomona, CA –  It’s been over a year since Johnny Ahten has raced down the quarter mile at his home track of Pomona – and what a year it has been. This weekend Johnny and Ahten Racing’s “Stump Puller” Top Alcohol Dragster will once again blast down the fabled Auto Club Raceway at Pomona for the 2021 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com. Covid-19 issues have pushed the event into July from February and it will be a significant challenge.

“It’s going to be a tricky track with not a lot of rubber down with the low usage,” said Johnny Ahten. “It’s usually a cold and tight track, but I’m up for the challenge of a hot a greasy surface. The field is small and stout, and we are going to have to bring our best effort. As the clutch technician and driver, I am really excited and have done my homework. We have a ton of new parts to throw at it and I know the team is ready to compete,” added Ahten.

Crew chief Al Ahten leads a bigger crew this year with Bob Ahten, Kevin “Shark” Colvell, Vince Degl’Innocenti, Rick Cammeron, Eric Chesleigh, Bud Fizone, Vaughn Bladen and Karen Bladen all preparing for a Pomona battle.

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POMONA, CA – When Johnny Ahten blasts down the quarter mile at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com it will mark the first time he has raced at his home track since 2018. At last year’s Winternationals, Krista Baldwin rented the Ahten Racing B car, and at the NHRA Finals, Chris McNicol rented the A car. Now Johnny Ahten is finally getting his chance to drive his own car again.

“It really was tough watching other people have all the fun,” said Ahten. “The off-season went quick because I knew I would be back where I belong. I am proud to announce the addition of Entertainment Transport to our team. Advanco Fire Protection and CleanBoost Motor Oil have also re-signed as major associate sponsors. We are supported by DJ Safety, One 11 INK, ODYSSEY® Batteries, ARP Bolts, NGK Spark Plugs, Hussey Gaskets, Mechanix Wear Gloves, Goodson Tools and Supplies and our long time friends at Island Renovations.”

Over the winter the Nitromethane injected Top Alcohol Dragster affectingly known as the “Stump Puller” was completely refreshed and Johnny and the team are ready to let it loose on the Pomona pavement. Al Ahten continues his watchful eye as crew chief along with team partner Howard Katano. The crew of Bob Ahten, Kevin “Shark” Colvell and Chuck Costabile are all back and ready for action.

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Las Vegas, NV – The bright lights and high stakes will be in full tilt this weekend in downtown Las Vegas and at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 2019 Dodge NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil await Johnny Ahten and his nitromethane injected Top Alcohol Dragster. Johnny is on the hunt for a partner to his Seattle divisional Wally trophy from this past August.

“If we continue to run strong like we have the last few outings, we will have a chance to make a good showing,” said Ahten. “There are nineteen other entries and all the heavy-hitters will be here. Our plan is stay true to our tune-up, qualify well and go rounds.”

The past few months have been filled with preparations for the Vegas national event, the Vegas LODRS Divisional and the Pomona finals. Finishing out the year on a high note has Johnny Ahten ready to bring some heat. As a LA County Firefighter, Johnny has some experience in dealing with extremes.

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Kent, WA – After running several 5.20’s in qualifying at the LODRS Sonoma race two weeks ago, Johnny Ahten has a little spring in his step, and a Nitromethane powered beast on his hands.

The Ahten Racing Top Alcohol dragster ripped off a 5.223 at 276.97 to qualify in the number three position in Sonoma. An equally stout 5.24 elapsed time was also posted. The numbers are a testament to the months of hard work and research by Johnny and his father and crew chief Al Ahten.

“My dad and I did some research and brought up several of our past runs on the computer and our performance in Sonoma showed we are moving in the right direction,” said Johnny Ahten. “We could be more excited to have our car back where it should be. Now we are ready to take on the tough field with some power and speed.”

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Sonoma, CA – There is a reason Sonoma Raceway is one of Johnny Ahten’s favorite tracks. Way back in 2004 it was the scene of Ahten’s first national event. This weekend, Ahten returns to wine country to race, reflect and feel the rush of his AFuel dragster known as the Stump Puller.

“After a few months off I can’t wait to get back on track and make some noise and experience the speed of this nitro-injected beast,” said Ahten. “I love it here in Sonoma and I would like to thank Kyle Seipel for bringing us back. This race is going to be a blast. We went through the car stem to stern, and we are confident in our focused clutch program and race package.”

Joining Johnny Ahten in Sonoma will be his son Eli, his crew chief dad Al, his brother Bob, Kevin “Shark” Colvell and Team Partner Howard Katano. This “Six-Pack” is bound together with a love of racing and teamwork.

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Las Vegas –  The 2019 DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a big deal. Johnny Ahten is well prepared because he is bringing the house. Ahten has secured three new sponsors with the signing of Montauk Native Gas, Advanco Fire Protection, and ODYSSEY® Batteries. To celebrate the new partners, Ahten commissioned One 11 Ink to whip up a new wrap for the Ahten Racing A/Fuel dragster. Familiar supporters Island Renovations, DJ Safety, ARP Bolts, NGK Spark Plugs and CleanBoost Oil along with Combust Filters are ready for a rocket blast down the quarter mile.

“I couldn’t be more excited for this race,” said Johnny Ahten. “We have surrounded ourselves with some amazing marketing partners and the Vegas race is the perfect place to show off a new look Stump Puller. The best part is I get to drive again. I would like to thank Andre Hardy of Montauk Native Gas for taking interest in me. Advanco is a large commercial Fire Sprinkler company from new construction to maintenance and recertifications of existing systems. ODYSSEY® Batteries have twice the power and triple the life of conventional lead acid designs and can handle a range of applications and performance demands.”

In the season opener at Pomona, Krista Baldwin was the driver and Ahten the anxious team owner. Last year Cameron Ferre drove the Ahten Racing dragster for several races. Now it’s time for Johnny Ahten to do what he loves – going fast down the track in a nitro burning Top Alcohol dragster.

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Pomona, CA – Ahten Racing will kick off their 2018 campaign this weekend at the season-opening NHRA Lucas Oil Winternationals with Cameron Ferre’  back at the wheel for the third event with the team. Continuing the great relationship between the team and Cameron, they are ready to get the season underway and put the Stump Puller nitro-powered dragster in the show and going rounds.

“The 5.33 DNQ did not sit well with us all off season, so we made some changes to the set up and hope to see some improvement this weekend. We’re also excited to have Cameron and Racepak with us again for our home race. Cam is a good fit and his enthusiasm is a great spark plug for us to get another Pomona win!”, stated Ahten on the upcoming weekend.

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Las Vegas, NV – Ahten Racing is proud to welcome Cameron Ferrè and Racepak to the team for the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Ferrè will be piloting the Nitromethane injected Top Alcohol Dragster known as the Stump Puller with the guidance of Johnny Ahten.

“Johnny, called me up and asked me what I had going for the end of the year and I told him I was working on some Top Fuel deals and probably just super comp racing until 2018, said Ferrè “He said what do you think about coming out and driving my car to finish the year?  I jumped at the chance and I’m super grateful to him and the team for thinking of me. It will for sure help keep me in the shop window so to speak for 2018 opportunities.”

“Ahten Racing has first class equipment and has been to the winners circle before and I hope to be helping them hoist another Wally here soon,” Ferrè added. “I’d also like to thank Racepak and Ted Wiens Tire and Auto for their continued support in my career helping make all this happen. I have had great people around helping me my whole career and I am excited to be able to showcase them on the side of Johnny’s family car along with his sponsors as well.”

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Woodburn, OR – It’s been a few months since A/Fuel Top Alcohol dragster driver Johnny Ahten has been strapped in to his racecar. The summer break is over and the DJ Safety / Combust Filters team is back in action this weekend at Woodburn Dragstrip for LODRS Regional racing. Laying in wait is Joey Severance, Shawn Cowie, Garrett Bateman, Kim Parker, Casey Grisel, and Todd Swinford. The 25th Anniversary of the Les Schwab Challenge/NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series set for this weekend and Ahten is ready to race.

“I have missed the feeling of being strapped in to the Stump Puller,” said Ahten. “When I feel the belts tightening I start to relax and begin to focus. The time off from racing was tough with a busy work schedule and preparing a second car. At the track I can concentrate on racing and leave all that behind. Woodburn is a great facility and we enjoy racing here.”

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