Marking her official foray into the realm of Super Comp drag racing, Puyallup, Washington resident, Jeannine Johnson, recently announced her intent to run the NHRA Lucas Oil Series backed by Windows Vista, Microsoft Corporation’s newest operating software.
 
Johnson was recently hosted by Bill Gates and several other company executives at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash., where they revealed newly-built Brad Hadman dragster.
 
“The people on the Windows Vista team are amazing, and they have worked so hard on putting this all together,” Johnson said. “They have made a dream of mine come true."
 

Marking her official foray into the realm of Super Comp drag racing, Puyallup, Washington resident, Jeannine Johnson, recently announced her intent to run the NHRA Lucas Oil Series backed by Windows Vista, Microsoft Corporation’s newest operating software.
 
Johnson was recently hosted by Bill Gates and several other company executives at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash., where they revealed newly-built Brad Hadman dragster.
 
“The people on the Windows Vista team are amazing, and they have worked so hard on putting this all together,” Johnson said. “They have made a dream of mine come true."
 
Johnson started her relationship with the software giant in their “Start Something Amazing” contest, where she was a grand prize winner.
 
“The sponsorship is definitely a part of their new product launch, but they told me that they also wanted me to know that they were sponsoring me, not my car, and they were behind me all the way.
 
“I just can’t thank them enough,” she said.
 
Johnson said her plans for 2007 are to get familiar with the car and spend time testing. She said she will compete in NHRA’s Division Six and race in the Super Comp, Super Pro and eventually Top Comp categories.
 
“This will be only the second time I’ve driven a car capable of going more than 100 mph. The first time was when I earned my license at Frank Hawley’s school in Pomona,” Johnson said.
 
Despite physical hardships stemming from being born a preemie at just 1 pound 10 ounces which prevented Johnson from participating in traditional sports, she has found her niche in drag racing, where her 4’11” frame and love for speed have helped her excel and succeed. Sheer determination has fueled the 16-year-old’s passion for drag racing, and helped propel her to great success within the sport: she is one of only very few NHRA Junior Drag Racers to ever achieve a ‘perfect package’ during a race, a feat that requires impeccable speed and timing.
 
Joining Windows vista as associate sponsors are Torco Race Fuels, Inc., Mac Tools, Mike Ashley’s Gotham City Racing and his Lend America mortgage bank, Lucas Oil and K&N Filters.
 
“It all seems unreal still,” she said. “I am so excited and can’t wait to get on the track."
 
 “It’s going to be an awesome year,” Johnson said.