Wednesday, June 5, 2002
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Wednesday, June 5, 2002 |
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Local woman rising in Bandolero racing When Fayetteville resident Tina Johnson unloaded her Bandolero car for the first time, she had no idea how it ran, how to set it up, or even how to drive it. She had no race experience, no practice laps, nothing except the determination to be a racer. That night, she tentatively took her first laps. She found a rhythm in the car, and she started getting comfortable. By the end of the night, she was picking off cars and staring straight ahead at the leader. That night, Tina Johnson won the first race she ever entered. "I had no experience and didn't expect to do so well so soon," Johnson said. "But now I have higher goals. I feel that I can touch the lives of people around me by showing them that dreams do come true." And that includes trying to unseat two-time Bandolero Outlaws champion Rick Godfrey Sr. at Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder, a 10-week summer racing series. Johnson was challenging Godfrey for the lead during the first week of racing when another competitor spun, ending her chances for a win. But a little setback like that isn't likely to stop this 5-foot-tall spitfire. "People don't expect someone my size to climb out of the car," said Johnson, pulling at the uniform on her petite frame. "But I let my driving speak for itself." And so far, it's speaking volumes. Johnson was the first woman to win a Bandolero Outlaws race at three different tracks Atlanta, Lowe's Motor Speedway and Senoia Speedway. But Johnson, 31, deflects most of the credit back to her family and her coaches. She credits her father, Sammy Cooper a limited sportsman racer for 13 years with giving her the racing bug. Her husband Drew is the crew chief and head cheerleader and late-model driver Rusty Clanton sets up the car. Fellow Thursday Thunder competitor Bubba Pollard is a driving coach, as is late-model driver Clint Smith. "I've got a lot of great help, and they keep me going in the right direction," said Johnson. "And I felt that as my talent increases with experience, there are no limits to my potential on the race track." Tina Johnson and all of her fellow Thursday Thunder competitors will return to the track this Thursday and every Thursday through Aug. 8. Don't miss this fun and affordable activity for the whole family. Admission for adults is just $5, children 6-11 are $1, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets are available at Gate 13 the night of the event. Parking is free. Spectator gates open at 6 p.m. with preliminary action starting immediately Feature racing begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude by 10:30 p.m. Contact the speedway ticket office at 770- 946-4211 for information, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
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