Like Steve Johnson, general manager Tim Kulungian is a native Californian. He was born in the San Fernando Valley, and first met Steve as a young drag bike pilot. "When I was 15 I started drag racing motorcycles, and Steve's shop—Steve Johnson Sport Bikes in Chatsworth—was the only shop in town. So my dad and I would get all of our stuff from him," he says.

That initial meeting led to a part-time, then a full-time job with Steve. Kulungian has worked with Steve Johnson Racing for eight years. What's the weirdest thing Kulungian has seen in his racing career? "Steve Johnson's been the weirdest thing I've seen," he says, laughing. "Anybody who knows him can appreciate that."

Kulungian says his greatest accomplishment was Steve's 2005 U.S. Nationals title, a title that wasn't awarded until after the race was over, when the NHRA reversed its original declaration that had named Matt Smith the winner of the sport's biggest event.

 "We found out about it in a very odd way," Kulungian says. "I was back at the shop, I wasn't on the road. I started getting updates on the phone, and that's how I found out they'd granted us the trophy. It was bittersweet.

Tim is married to Christal, and the couple has five children; Seathe and Hannah 9, Delilah 5, and twins Rose and Lilly 1yr 4mo.

Now living in Birmingham, AL, Sam Perry was born in Louisville, MS, but lived in Arcadia, FL for 12 years before moving back to his native MS.

Sam’s Granddad was a mechanic and Sam loved being around dad and granddad who were always working on cars. As Sam says, “always being around cars inspires you to love working on anything with a motor”.

Sam decided to join the Army at 18 to help fund his education for a career in motorsports and serve his country in a time of war. 

After returning from Iraq as a Specialist in radio and electronics repair, Sam got the opportunity to follow his dream and attend WyoTech. He graduated with honors studying Collision and refinishing, street rod, applied service management, trim and upholstery, chassis fabrication, high performances engines, and custom paint.

Sam has been with Steve Johnson Racing since the Brainerd race of 2008. A long time lover of the sport and passionate about teamwork and a job well done- he went to the track in Denver and showed his WyoTech Diploma and asked the team for a job. After interviewing with the team, he joined and continued to help the team win two of the biggest races of 2008- the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and the Inaugural NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte.

Sam’s hobbies include Custom fabrication, target shooting and street bike riding. He likes traveling to new places, relaxing after a day at the track with the team and rock and roll music.

Personal Quote: “You only get a couple of moments that determine your life. Sometimes only one. And then it's gone. Forever.” All The King’s Men Robert Penn Warren

Lauren was born in Birmingham, AL and raised in Chelsea, AL.  She graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with Bachelors in Science of Business Administration, majoring in Marketing.

Lauren worked at a Sport Marketing firm in Atlanta, Ga.  She was brought on to help with the nationwide promotion of Lipton White Tea with Raspberry, and then moved on to manage the Baja Blast promotion at all of the AST Dew Tours around the country.

She then returned to Birmingham and took a job at a local NBC affiliate working in the Sales department.  Lauren then came across the Account Executive position at Steve Johnson Racing.  She had wanted to get back into sports and marketing and was thrilled with the opportunity. “I love the world of sports and competition.  People have a lot of passion in this industry and it is very inspiring!”

Lauren also loves football, both college and NFL.  She also played soccer for about 15 years and loves to watch the game.  On her off time, she enjoys going to the lake with her chocolate lab, Ava.