NHRA Warren Johnson Saturday Update: WJ Steps Up, Starts Third in Pomona

 

Event:  46th Annual Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals

Day/Date: Saturday, February 11, 2006

Location:  Pomona Raceway, Pomona, CA

 

Warren Johnson entered the final day of qualifying at the Carquest Auto
Parts NHRA Nationals in the unenviable position of having to secure his
position in Sunday's final eliminations field.  Further complicating his
assignment were the speed-robbing warmer temperatures that enveloped the
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona on Saturday.  

 

Undaunted, W.J. powered his GM Performance Parts GTO through the
quarter-mile on his morning attempt in 6.680 seconds with a top speed of
207.43 mph, which was quickest for the session, and good enough to earn
the third starting position.

 

"We had a good day today, coming through when we needed to.  We went
back to the same type of set-up that we had used here in the past, and
our GM Performance Parts GTO responded beautifully.  I don't think there
was a lot left in this morning's run, maybe a hundredth or so at best.  

 

"We experimented a little on this afternoon's run because we felt there
wouldn't be any improvement, taking advantage of running in the right
lane.  It tends to go to heck in the afternoon, so we wanted to get some
data on it in case we accidentally get stuck there tomorrow.  

 

"We're optimistic about our chances for tomorrow.  We know this engine
will need some maintenance after this race, but it's given us good
feedback so far this weekend, especially considering it had never been
down the track before Thursday.  We're certainly pleased with its
performance and expect to extract even more tomorrow."