In this COVID-19-disrupted NHRA Mello Yello Series 2020 season, nitro Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr. has remained strong.

Johnson Jr., who drives for Don Schumacher Racing, entered the inaugural Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Indianapolis this weekend second in the point standings.

Johnson Jr. kept his momentum going at Indy 3, snaring the No. 1 qualifying spot with a 3.976-second elapsed time at 318.54 mph Saturday in Q1.

“We have a really solid race car here at Indy,” said Johnson. “Three races here and we’ve been No. 1, 2 and No. 1 again. That gives you a ton of confidence going into race day knowing you have such a good car. Now if we can just turn these No. 1 qualifying positions into a win. We’ve gone rounds at these first two Indy races; the only thing left on the plate is a win.”

This was the 20th career No. 1 qualifying spot of Johnson Jr.’s career, which has included stints in Top Fuel and Funny Car. He also was the No. 1 qualifier at Indy 1 earlier this season.

Johnson takes on No. 16 qualifier Alexis DeJoria in round one Sunday.

Johnson Jr., who pilots the MD Anderson Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat for DSR, has had a standout season. He has a 10-3 elimination-round record.

Johnson Jr. is No. 2 in points behind teammate Jack Beckman. He will be competing for career win No. 21, and DSR’s seventh consecutive Funny Car trophy. If Johnson Jr. advances to the final, it will be the ninth consecutive event that drag racing’s winningest organization has placed a Dodge Funny Car into the final round. 

Johnson Jr. has one win this season at Phoenix in February and was runner-up at Indy 1.

A year ago, Johnson Jr. was eighth in the points and had wins in Chicago and Denver.