Speedmaster Partners with Rising Dragster Star Melanie Johnson

The automotive company expands its motorsports presence with a new NHRA sponsorship deal.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:11am

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An abstract, high-speed image of a dragster in motion, its body blurred into vibrant streaks of color, capturing the raw power and excitement of professional drag racing.Speedmaster's new partnership with rising NHRA star Melanie Johnson promises to bring an electrifying energy to the 2026 drag racing season.Pomona Today

Speedmaster has announced a new partnership with Top Alcohol Dragster driver Melanie Johnson, who will compete for the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship with the Speedmaster-sponsored car. The deal extends beyond the track, with Johnson contributing to Speedmaster's brand and content strategy.

Why it matters

The partnership represents Speedmaster's continued investment in motorsports, expanding its presence beyond its existing primary sponsorship with John Force Racing in NHRA Top Fuel. Johnson brings digital marketing experience to the deal, aligning with Speedmaster's goal of elevating its brand through the partnership.

The details

Johnson's dragster debuted its Speedmaster livery at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The connection between Speedmaster and Johnson started at a Women in Motorsports North America event, where Speedmaster COO Melissa Parra and Johnson found common ground on what a motorsport partnership should look like.

  • The partnership was announced on April 15, 2026.
  • Johnson's dragster debuted the Speedmaster livery at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California.

The players

Melanie Johnson

A Top Alcohol Dragster driver who will compete for the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship with the McPhillips Racing team.

Speedmaster

An automotive company that has partnered with Johnson as the primary sponsor for her 2026 NHRA season, marking an expansion of Speedmaster's motorsport presence.

Melissa Parra

The COO of Speedmaster, who connected with Johnson at a Women in Motorsports North America event and found a shared vision for the partnership.

Jason Kencevski

The CEO of Speedmaster, who Johnson met with after the initial conversation with Melissa Parra.

Rich McPhillips Sr. and Rich McPhillips Jr.

The leaders of the McPhillips Racing team, which will field Johnson's car for the 2026 NHRA season.

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What they’re saying

“I met Melissa Parra at a Women in Motorsports North America event last year, and our initial conversation quickly turned into a shared vision for how we could work together. After touring their facility in Los Angeles and talking with CEO Jason Kencevski, I was struck by the professionalism of their team and the history of their business. There is a clear parallel between the performance-driven mindset at Speedmaster and the way my dad and I have always approached racing. I've been working to put a program like this together since I started my career, and I'm grateful that Jason and Melissa recognized my passion for both marketing and racing.”

— Melanie Johnson, Top Alcohol Dragster driver

“What made this partnership straightforward was how Melanie operates. She came to Speedmaster with a clear understanding of the brand, a plan for how she could contribute on and off the track, and the work ethic to back it up. She races, she's building her own path in the sport, and she brings the same discipline to marketing and brand representation that the Johnson name is known for on the starting line.”

— Melissa Parra, COO, Speedmaster

What’s next

Johnson will debut the Speedmaster-sponsored dragster at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, as she competes for the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship.

The takeaway

This partnership highlights Speedmaster's continued commitment to motorsports and its recognition of rising talent like Melanie Johnson, who brings both racing expertise and marketing savvy to the deal. It represents an opportunity for Speedmaster to elevate its brand through an authentic connection to the NHRA community.