Las Vegas, NV – At last weekend’s NHRA Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Johnny Ahten grabbed the No.1 qualifying position and is looking to carry that positive vibe over to Regional action this weekend.

“Grabbing the No.1 qualifying spot felt great under difficult weather and track conditions,” said Ahten. “Our 5.322@265.53 on Friday was enough to hold up throughout qualifying. Then we got a first round win over James Stevens on a holeshot, with his 5.379@266.95 being quicker than our 5.426@267.80. Lady Luck was on our side on that one. We went into Sunday’s second round with high expectations, but we suffered a tough loss. Our pit space was very quiet for quite a while. We are going to make best of that experience and move on. We all are very motivated to go back racing.”

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Las Vegas, NV – Johnny Ahten is not the kind of guy to take chances, but this weekend in Las Vegas at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals it’s time to step up at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The first two races of the year have not yielded the results Ahten is looking for. Now just a few miles from the craps tables and slot machines, he is looking for just a small handout from lady luck. 

 

“I’m not real big on hitting the casinos, the only thing I want in my hand this weekend is a steering wheel and brake handle,” said Ahten. “There’s only one way to beat a royal flush, and that’s with an A/Fuel dragster. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and give us some good air and low temps. Our team has put the work in and so far we have been rewarded with more work.”

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CHANDLER, AZ – Johnny Ahten rolled into Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the NHRA Pacific Division opener with a sense of relief. Gone was the stress of daily life. Not a care in the world. All he has to do is assemble and run his racecar without a full crew, battle tire shake, lost cylinder combustion and face a contingent of racers that include a previous world champion. It all makes for a relaxing weekend at the drags.

“We might be a little short-handed, but we are a feisty group,” said Ahten. “A couple of our guys couldn’t make it here this weekend but being a small team we will get the job done. We like running here at Phoenix. It’s a great track and we are looking to go fast.”

The opening Winternationals at Pomona was just a few short weeks ago, but much had to be done in the weeks preceding this Regional race. Parts and pieces have been replaced and repaired and crew chief Al Ahten and racing partner Howard Katano have a game plan in mind.

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POMONA, CA – Johnny Ahten Racing is proud to announce that EPHA Inc. has signed on as an associate sponsor starting at this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. This is EPHA’s first involvement back in the NHRA since walking away from the sport after winning the 2004 NHRA Championship.

“We are very excited to bring back Mitch Myers’ company EPHA to the class,” said Johnny Ahten. “Top Alcohol racers are a close family and Mitch has a long history of success. EPHA offers performance hose protectors, spacers and looms, safety sheaths and ladder guards. Opening up the season with a new sponsor is also a great way to kick the 2017 racing season at our home track. We know how to run fast here and we are up to the challenge.”

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POMONA, CA – The 52nd NHRA Auto Club Finals at Pomona is in the books. The champions have been crowned, the parts bins depleted and the racecars and crew members are recovering. Johnny Ahten spent the Monday following the race running errands, fulfilling chores around the house and anxiously planning for the February 9, 2017 start of the NHRA Winternationals.

“The racing season may be over, but honestly I can’t wait to get back in the car,” said Ahten. “This year has been a challenge and we are looking to move forward and faster. We qualified strong, and lost a close one in eliminations. Instead of thinking about what we could have done differently or better at the Finals, I am going to focus on the positive gains.”

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POMONA, CA – Johnny Ahten is thankful to be playing a home game. The Auto Club Raceway at Pomona is his home track and with a final round appearance at last weekend’s Vegas Regional event providing confidence, Ahten is ready to rumble.

“Going to the final round was a real shot in the arm,” said Ahten. “To miss out on the win by a fraction of a second was tough, but the car and crew were amazing. Now we are home and ready to end the year on a high note. It is also a special thrill to have DJ Safety as the primary sponsor on the car right in their back yard.”

At The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Ahten qualified in the number seven position with a 5.391/261.72. He faced number two qualifier Garrett Bateman in the first round. Bateman experienced a traumatic engine event as Ahten motored by for the win with a 5.511/257.43. Next up was another CleanBoost Oil teammate Chris Demke. Ahten’s 5.393/261.37 took the win over a slowing 5.915/158.09 for Demke. In the final it was number one qualifier Jackie Fricke in the other lane. Ahten got a considerable starting line advantage and was leading until Fricke’s top end charge got the win with a 5.367/274.33 to Ahten’s 5.415/261.32.

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Santa Clarita, CA – National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) racer Johnny Ahten and Goodyear Footwear today announced a new associate sponsorship agreement. Goodyear Footwear features the latest and newest in “Waterproof, Insulated, Oil- and Slip- Resistant, Protective Toe, and Electrical Hazard” technology available for the working person today inspired by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The Ahten Racing Top Alcohol Dragster entry, owned by Al and Johnny Ahten along with team partner Howard Katano will be racing in the National Hot Rod Association Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event November 3-6th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We are proud to promote the iconic Goodyear brand with this partnership,” said Johnny Ahten. “We run Goodyear tires on our A/Fuel dragster and this is a natural fit. The partnership will allow us to promote the Goodyear Footwear brand and their performance racing line to the fans of NHRA racing at the track and on our various social media platforms.”

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Las Vegas, NV – “Dedicated to Safety” has long been the tag line for the NHRA. Johnny Ahten understands the importance of staying safe when he is traveling at speeds over 270 miles per hour on the track and as a LA County fire captain. He knows all too well that sometimes trouble can occur. This is why Ahten trusts DJ Safety. This weekend the Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster will be highlighting DJ Safety with a visual overhaul that will continue through the Pomona Finals.

“DJ Safety has been a valued sponsor of Ahten Racing for many years and we are excited to place them loud and proud,” said Ahten. “Big Ben and his crew are amazing and their craftsmanship and commitment to safety is monumental. My new race suit not only looks great, but it’s very comfortable. I know it will protect me if needed.”

DJ Safety’s Ben Conant added, “DJ Safety would like to thank Johnny Ahten Racing for being part of the DJ Safety family and our great partnership we have.”

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Woodburn, OR – When you get to the drag strip on Friday for a Regional event the last thing you expect is to have your first qualifying run Sunday at 4:30pm and first round an hour and a half later. That’s just what happened to Johnny Ahten last weekend at Woodburn Dragstrip. Friday and Saturday were a wash-out and Sunday turned into a whirlwind.

“Our whole weekend got compressed into two hours of racing,” said Ahten. “On the bright side, the truck and trailer is well organized because of all the down time. Looking at the track from our pit was like a kid staring at a piece of chocolate cake they can’t eat.”

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KENT, WA – “It’s a beast,” proclaimed Johnny Ahten in reference to his Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster following the Seattle Regional event at Pacific Raceways. Ahten advanced to the semifinals and nearly went to the finals with a return to performance mode in Seattle.

Ahten’s first qualifying run on Friday served notice that the Ahten Racing dragster, known as the Stump Puller, was ready to burst through the line. A 5.346/266.64 run put Ahten in the number three position for the day. Saturday’s first qualifying session produced a 5.393/260.41, with room for improvement. The plan for the final qualifying session was to go quicker, so the wick was turned up. “It was either going to go number one, or smoke the tires,” added Ahten. A 10.532/90.73 pass answered that question. Ahten remained in the number three slot moving into Sunday eliminations and a match-up with Kim Parker.

Sunday saw a break from the warm weather conditions. Ahten took a slight starting line advantage and a 5.369/252.80 effort conquered Parker’s 5.396/262.64. This set a semifinal meeting with Megan McKernan. When the tree came down, Ahten got off the line first and was leading the race until the 300ft mark when the rear tires knocked loose. A couple of quick pedals resulted in two lost cylinders and a 5.837/221.96 defeat to McKernan’s 5.652/262.33.

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