Veteran Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Steve Johnson and the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series shifts to St. Louis this weekend for the NHRA Midwest Nationals, the third consecutive weekend of spectacular competition during the pressure filled Countdown to the Championship.
Johnson will be competing in the record-setting 530th NHRA national event of his career at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, as he continues to celebrate his 40th year of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competition. World Wide Technology Raceway holds a special place in Johnson’s heart as the site of his first NHRA national event win back in 2004.
“St. Louis will always be special to me,” said Johnson recalling his first win. “Going four rounds and winning the race on Sunday will always be a fun and cherished memory. It was a long wait, about 17 years to be exact. I remember my mom always saying, ‘You know this racing thing doesn’t seem to be working out, maybe you could get a job at a local grocery store or become a carpenter.’ She was happy to see me finally start winning races.”
After six runner-up finishes, Johnson’s break through victory at St. Louis meant more than finally collecting his first Wally.
“I felt like I was part of the NHRA fraternity. It was just one race, but after 17 years, everything came together. I remember thinking, we got by the big guns today with luck and a little bit of skill and no matter how it happened I’ll take it. I rode really good in the finals; I was very happy.”
The independent racer will have some much-needed support at the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
“Local motorcycle and ATV dealer, Big St. Charles, is a staple in the St. Louis community and they’ll be sponsoring us this weekend,” Johnson said enthusiastically. “If you like motorcycles or ATV’s, they have the biggest selection you could possibly imagine and they’re famous for their customer service after the sale. It will be fun to wave their flag at the racetrack.”
With the first three events of the six-race Countdown to the Championship being run on consecutive weekends, it presented a unique challenge for the 12-time NHRA national event winner.
“I really like this format,” said Johnson from his Alabama-based shop. “Our Suzuki is running much better, but we haven’t done well on race day. When you don’t do well, you’re eager for another chance and back-to-back races allow you to do that right away. We’re hoping all of our preparation will allow us to have a good race in St. Louis.”
Johnson enters the NHRA Midwest Nationals coming off of one of his best qualifying efforts of the season, which produced his quickest and fastest runs of the year.
“It’s been four years since our Suzuki ran 199 mph like it did in Rockingham last week,” said Johnson. “I’m very proud of our team and the effort we’re putting into the Countdown.”
This story was originally published on September 30, 2026.
The post Steve Johnson Seeking a Second St. Louis Victory In Pro Stock Motorcycle first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
