Melanie Johnson Makes History, Shift Up Now’s First Drag Racing Grant Recipient
March 2026
The Shift Up Now Foundation is celebrating Women’s History Month by awarding over $300k in grants to female drivers across multiple racing disciplines. A standout milestone is Melanie Johnson, the foundation’s first drag racer to receive support. Competing in Top Alcohol Dragster with McPhillips Racing, Johnson represents the expansion of opportunities beyond traditional road racing, showing that precision, instinct, and high-speed execution exist across every corner of motorsport.
Melanie Sits Down with The CompetitionPlus for Power Hour
"Melanie Johnson will be competing in her first full season of Top Alcohol Dragster in 2025. She has one of the best mentors helping her: Her Dad. He happens to be Alan Johnson, who has a few championships under his belt. We talk about growing up at the track watching her family race, her first job in motorsports, when the driving bug bit her and what she does off the track, that can help her find success behind the wheel."
WIMNA Social Chapter to Host Field Trip to NHRA Museum, Pomona Dragstrip
November 3, 2025
WIMNA SoCal and NHRA will host a Women in Motorsports Field Trip on Nov. 14 at the Pomona Dragstrip, featuring Melanie Johnson and other trailblazing women, uniting racers, industry leaders, and students for inspiration, connection, and NHRA Finals qualifying.
From Softball to Professional Driving with Melanie Johnson
December 17, 2025
The Fearless Warrior podcast stepped outside of softball and headed into the drag racing world. They sat down with Melanie Johnson, a professional drag racer, who shares how tiny adjustments, sharp focus, and trust in instinct turn five seconds of chaos into calm execution.
"Melanie Johnson will be competing in her first full season of Top Alcohol Dragster in 2025. She has one of the best mentors helping her: Her Dad. He happens to be Alan Johnson, who has a few championships under his belt. We talk about growing up at the track watching her family race, her first job in motorsports, when the driving bug bit her and what she does off the track, that can help her find success behind the wheel."
"Melanie Johnson grew up at the drag strip, watching her dad, legendary crew chief Alan Johnson, tune his way to 13 NHRA Top Fuel Championships. Racing runs deep in her family, her late uncle Blaine Johnson was a standout in both Top Alcohol and Top Fuel, and now Melanie’s carving her own path in the sport. After a successful run in Super Comp, she’s stepping into the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks and just picked up her first win in Norwalk, Ohio. She’s got big shoes to fill, but she’s doing it her way - with grit, heart, and a love for the sport that started when she was just a kid hanging out in the race trailer."
Melanie Sits Down with The CompetitionPlus for Power Hour
"Melanie Johnson picked up her first NHRA top alcohol dragster WIN. Joe Morrison will make Norwalk his first race of 2025 in NHRA funny car. They're both with us live!"