"I had

no experience and didn't expect to do so well so soon," Johnson said.

"But now I have higher goals. I feel that I can touch the lives of

people around me by showing them that dreams do come true."

And that includes

trying to unseat two-time Bandolero Outlaws champion Rick Godfrey Sr.

at Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder, a 10-week summer racing

series. Johnson was challenging Godfrey for the lead during the first

week of racing when another competitor spun, ending her chances for a

win. But a little setback like that isn't likely to stop this 5-foot-tall

spitfire.

"People

don't expect someone my size to climb out of the car," said Johnson,

pulling at the uniform on her petite frame. "But I let my driving

speak for itself."

And so far,

it's speaking volumes. Johnson was the first woman to win a Bandolero

Outlaws race at three different tracks ­ Atlanta, Lowe's Motor Speedway

and Senoia Speedway. But Johnson, 31, deflects most of the credit back

to her family and her coaches. She credits her father, Sammy Cooper ­

a limited sportsman racer for 13 years ­ with giving her the racing

bug. Her husband Drew is the crew chief and head cheerleader and late-model

driver Rusty Clanton sets up the car. Fellow Thursday Thunder competitor

Bubba Pollard is a driving coach, as is late-model driver Clint Smith.

"I've

got a lot of great help, and they keep me going in the right direction,"

said Johnson. "And I felt that as my talent increases with experience,

there are no limits to my potential on the race track."

Tina Johnson

and all of her fellow Thursday Thunder competitors will return to the

track this Thursday and every Thursday through Aug. 8. Don't miss this

fun and affordable activity for the whole family. Admission for adults

is just $5, children 6-11 are $1, and children 5 and under are free.

Tickets are

available at Gate 13 the night of the event. Parking is free. Spectator

gates open at 6 p.m. with preliminary action starting immediately Feature

racing begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude by 10:30 p.m. Contact the

speedway ticket office at 770- 946-4211 for information, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com .

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