Steve Johnson Ready to Rock in Bristol at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Steve Johnson will bring his historic 40th anniversary tour to Tennessee’s iconic Bristol Dragway, June 12-14, seeking to add another Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals “Wally” to his trophy case. Pro Stock Motorcycle’s longest tenured competitor will be looking to guide his Suzuki to his first national event victory since reaching the winner’s circle at Bristol in 2023.

“We still have plenty of work to do,” offered Johnson, when asked about the team’s current direction. “I’m always trying to lose weight and ride perfectly. The engines still need developing every day. But no matter what power you have it means nothing if you can’t drive the bike perfectly. You don’t just hang on and ride these motorcycles; we drive our motorcycles. You try to ride a bull, but you drive a Pro Stock Bike.”

As the NHRA continues their spectacular year-long 75th anniversary celebration, Bristol Dragway will be recognizing their milestone 25th anniversary of holding an NHRA national event. The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the sixth race on the 14-race NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule, will take place on a completely new concrete racing surface that was installed at Bristol Dragway earlier this year. The new concrete surface runs to the eighth-mile and was completed in April. It’s the first time the racing surface has been redone in almost 20 years, and the flatter track should provide one of the finest racing surfaces on the NHRA tour.

“Right now, when we look at the trends and how the tires respond to racetrack grip, this could become our favorite track due to the smoothness,” said Johnson. “When it’s smooth off the starting line you can really apply the power.”

Johnson is the only current racer in Pro Stock Motorcycle to have competed at the Winston Showdown at Bristol Dragway in 2000. Since Pro Stock Motorcycle began competing at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in 2021, there has yet to be a repeat winner in the class. As Johnson enters his all-time class-leading 525th career national event, he hopes to make history as the first two-time winner at Bristol.

“I believe we are the only team that raced Pro Stock Motorcycle here during the Top Fuel vs. Funny Car Winston Showdown,” recalled Johnson from his Alabama-based shop. “Bristol Dragway is always so engaged with their fans, and as a former winner there is always lots of media to do every year. It’s a blast to promote Pro Stock Motorcycle on television, radio, podcasts and with suite visits.”

Johnson recently explained on NHRA announcer Joe Costello’s Hidden Horsepower podcast the complexities involved in wrestling a 200-mph Pro Stock Motorcycle through the quarter-mile and the shutdown area.

“I wear a heart monitor, and one time on the starting line at the U.S. Nationals my heart rate monitor was at 214, right when I was staged and ready to crank the throttle. There is a lot happening on the starting line during staging.

“When you let go of the clutch on the starting line, the rear wheel moves a little bit then the front wheel comes up,” Johnson said as he visualized a run. “Now with the front wheel in the air, the10-inch square rear wheel becomes like the front wheel, steering the bike and its driving. If it’s driving to the left, moving the handlebars does nothing because the front wheel is not on the ground. You have to push hard on the right foot peg to steer the bike back to the right.

“Within one second after launching off the starting line a red shift light comes on and you have to push the shift button,” continued Johnson. “The engine revs up so fast and you can’t miss the shift, or you’ll be on the rev limiter chip or too low. I’m shifting five times to reach sixth gear and when the front end finally comes down near half-track you feel a little pound. The adrenaline is so high with everything going on; you have to push the buttons and scoot to the second part of the seat, you have to aim for your target and you have to make sure you shut it off at the finish line to keep it off the rev limiter, which is what breaks parts. It’s a lot.

“And then in the shutdown area, one of the most important things is just hanging on. The bikes are bouncing all over as they slow down. At the end of the run, when you’re in the shutdown area, the adrenaline is flowing and it’s just so exciting,” Johnson enthused. “It’s extremely thrilling and a lot of fun, especially when you’re winning.”

This story was originally published on June 11, 2026. Drag Illustrated