Montgomery, Alabama (November 12, 2026) — The 2026 racing season proved to be a breakout year for Presley Johnson, who took home this year’s Show Me The Money Pro Late Model championship.
It was a year that Johnson may not have envisioned just a short time ago. Johnson was a regular competitor in Outlaw Late Models and Pro Trucks a few years ago, with only limited experience with Pro Late Models from a crew member’s perspective.
2025 served as Johnson’s debut year in Pro Late Model competition, making the 2026 championship campaign that much more impressive.
“My main sponsor from the prior few years of running Pro Trucks and Outlaws gave me the opportunity to start Pro Late Model racing,” said Johnson. “I had been around the Bolen family and Eury family a little bit, understanding how to work on the cars.
“We struggled a lot last year. Had some wrecks, had some okay finishes too, but mostly a tough rookie season. Over the offseason, I kinda took a step back, got hooked up with a different shock builder, and went into 2026 with a clear mind and the past behind me.”
That clear mind and focused approach paid dividends for Johnson and crew. Johnson rocketed to three straight top five finishes to begin the season.
“[Those early runs] started the idea that we could run for a championship. We struggled at the doubleheader, though. Had some tire issues and we were pretty short-staffed. But, we got some help for the last few races and that really gave us that last little bit to seal the deal.”
That aforementioned doubleheader night, The Saturday of Speed Twin 73’s, proved to be the only night where Johnson finished outside of the top five all year at Montgomery, finishing sixth in both races. The good runs came back after that, with Johnson scoring two more top five finishes to conclude the year.
In those final two events, Johnson showed serious race-winning speed in both. That speed was even more impressive if you take into account the difficulties of Pro Late Model competition compared to what Johnson was used to in prior years.
“[Pro Late Models] drive so much better, but the competition is so much more difficult,” said Johnson. “The Pro Trucks, for example, they don’t really drive good, so you had to really be up on the wheel and pay attention to your setups. These Late Models, they drive so much better, but everyone else’s cars drive better too.”
“You could even use the example of when I missed the Snowflake 125 last year. I was only three tenths of a second off from the pole but qualified 32nd. Everywhere you go in these Late Models, the fields are tighter and much more competitive, which I enjoy.”
With a year’s worth of speed and success having settled in for Johnson, the inevitable question had to be asked.
What does it feel like to be a Show Me The Money Pro Late Model champion?
“It’s great, man. I’ve had so many calls, texts, Facebook messages. The love and support has been unreal,” remarked Johnson. “This is way more than a sport. It’s like one big family. At times, you’re not going to get along with everyone, but everybody’s got each other’s back at the end of the day. I’ve just got to thank my sponsors, Jim and Julie Massengale, and of course my parents. This wouldn’t have happened without them.”
With the 2026 season at Montgomery Motor Speedway having concluded, Johnson assured that fans can expect to see him return to Alabama’s House of Speed next season. Johnson even hinted that some exciting things could be coming in the near future for him at various other racing facilities.
Time will tell what the future holds for him and his team, but they can forever hold the status of Show Me The Money Pro Late Model champions.
