"I am committed to upholding the tradition of high performance that my family is known for."

- Melanie Johnson

Meet Melanie

Melanie Johnson, daughter of legendary 13-time NHRA Top Fuel Championship - winning crew chief Alan Johnson, grew up immersed in the world of drag racing. From a young age, Melanie spent her childhood at race tracks, captivated by the sights and sounds of racing as she watched her father’s incredible success unfold. She fondly recalls standing in the doorway of the race trailer, studying the crews as they meticulously tore down engines after each run, and the thrill of riding in the tow vehicle, witnessing Top Fuel cars thunder down the strip from the return road.

Melanie's family legacy in racing is deeply rooted. Her late uncle, Blaine Johnson, was a dominant force in drag racing, winning four consecutive Top Alcohol Dragster World Championships alongside Alan between 1991 and 1994 before they both moved into Top Fuel. Blaine was on the verge of securing the Top Fuel Championship in 1996 when tragedy struck at Lucas Oil Raceway, just 30 days before Melanie was born. Though she never met Blaine, Melanie feels a strong connection to him through her racing journey, inspired by his legacy and passion for the sport.

In her own budding career, Melanie has proven to be a quick learner. Her keen observation of races and years of standing by her father’s side in the crew chief lounge have provided her with a unique education. Despite limited in-car experience, she boasts an impressive average reaction time of 0.015 seconds in Super Comp, a mark of her sharp reflexes and focus. Now, Melanie is ready to step into the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks, carrying forward her family’s winning tradition and chasing the dream she has had since childhood—reaching the same heights as her father and uncle in the racing world.