Veteran nitro pilot Tommy Johnson Jr. has been without a full-time driving gig since the end of the 2008 season, when he drove the Monster Energy Drink-backed Funny Car for Kenny Bernstein, but he certainly isn't giving anyone a chance to forget him.

In fact, the 10-time national event winner (2 Top Fuel, 7 Funny Car, and 1 Top Alcohol Funny Car), currently employed by Don Schumacher Racing as one of two exhibition fuel drivers on the Abu Dhabi-based Yas Marina team (Rod Fuller, employed by Yas Marina Circuit, is the other), has been in attendance at all but two Full Throttle Series event this season.

"I got back from Abu Dhabi the Wednesday before the first Charlotte race this year," said Johnson. "I did some laundry – since I'd been gone for 17 days – then jumped in my car and took off to go to Charlotte. I've been helping the [DSR] team in any aspect I can, from working in hospitality to cleaning parts and helping the drivers or teams with their strategies. Probably the most important thing I've been doing is standing on the starting line. I'm not just standing there watching the races; I'm learning and trying to better myself for when the opportunity arises to drive again."

Veteran nitro pilot Tommy Johnson Jr. has been without a full-time driving gig since the end of the 2008 season, when he drove the Monster Energy Drink-backed Funny Car for Kenny Bernstein, but he certainly isn't giving anyone a chance to forget him.

In fact, the 10-time national event winner (2 Top Fuel, 7 Funny Car, and 1 Top Alcohol Funny Car), currently employed by Don Schumacher Racing as one of two exhibition fuel drivers on the Abu Dhabi-based Yas Marina team (Rod Fuller, employed by Yas Marina Circuit, is the other), has been in attendance at all but two Full Throttle Series event this season.

"I got back from Abu Dhabi the Wednesday before the first Charlotte race this year," said Johnson. "I did some laundry – since I'd been gone for 17 days – then jumped in my car and took off to go to Charlotte. I've been helping the [DSR] team in any aspect I can, from working in hospitality to cleaning parts and helping the drivers or teams with their strategies. Probably the most important thing I've been doing is standing on the starting line. I'm not just standing there watching the races; I'm learning and trying to better myself for when the opportunity arises to drive again."

Johnson has taken on the role of humble student to enhance years of experience and accomplishments: after getting his first start in Phoenix in 1989, he made history in 1990 when he became the 14th member of the Cragar 4-second Club. Four years later, the accomplished driver became the 15th member of the Slick 50 300-mph club, and he is one of just five drivers to hold spots in both prestigious associations. Rounding out a respected career with plenty of life left in it, Johnson has finished in the top 10 of the Full Throttle Series championship chase on nine separate occasions, and he has qualified No. 1 nine times, including twice at the revered Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

"It's extremely tough to sit on the sidelines," said Johnson. "It's been difficult, but I haven't let it beat me up. I've actually used it to my advantage, and when the time comes to get back out there full-time, I'll be better than I was in the past. The few times that I have driven this year, I was driving better than I have in a long time, so I'm excited for the opportunity."

In addition to the exhibition runs at the Abu Dhabi track, the Avon, Ind.-based driver recently participated in a match race with Bruce Litton during an Independence Day weekend event at Eddyville Raceway Park in Iowa, just a short drive from his home town of Ottumwa.

As the Full Throttle season crescendos, Johnson will continue to support his DSR teammates and is looking towards a return to Abu Dhabi for another round of off-season exhibition runs that will serve to keep his own driving skills sharp.

"I don't know that all of the details are ironed out yet, but I have heard that we'll be running around the first of December, and then again another time in December," said Johnson. "The excitement of the fans in Abu Dhabi is really cool, and there is no nicer facility that I've raced at in the world.

"I'm working on trying to get something together for next year, and Don [Schumacher] seems pretty confident that we will be able to get a program put together to get me back in a car full time here in the U.S. If we could work out something to race here full-time and in Abu Dhabi, that would be the ultimate, especially after sitting out for a while. I can't wait to get back. It's exciting to think about because my hunger for racing and my hunger for winning are very high. I have a new spark, and I'll be coming back with a different attitude about racing. It will be good."