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Warren Wins Pontiac Summer Nationals in Columbus

14 June 1999

June 13, 1999
Contact: Rick Voegelin/831-761-2201
THE WARREN REPORT: WARREN JOHNSON GM GOODWRENCH SERVICE PLUS NHRA
PONTIAC EXCITEMENT NATIONALS RESULTS
>
>Warren Takes the Fifth, Notches 77th Victory
>
>COLUMBUS, OHIO - Warren Johnson is not noted for his excitable nature,
>but even the usually reserved "Professor of Pro Stock" had reason to be
>excited at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals. W.J. scored his second
>straight victory, his fifth win of the season, and the 77th of his career
>today when he defeated Jeg Coughlin, Jr. in the final round at National
>Trail Raceway.
>
>     Johnson and his GM Goodwrench Service Plus Firebird dominated the
>event, qualifying No. 1 and setting the track elapsed time and speed
>records. Warren made the first 6-second Pro Stock run ever recorded at the
>venerable Ohio track in qualifying, and then reset the marks at 6.995
>seconds and 198.15 mph in his semi-final round victory over Mike Trumble.
>
>     "We didn't leave too many scraps on the table," said Johnson with
>his characteristic understatement. "We got the low qualifier check and won
>the race. We're happy with the way it turned out."
>
>     W.J.'s 77th career victory gave him the lead over Funny Car driver
>John Force in the race to break Bob Glidden's record of 85 career wins.
>Force lost in the semi-final round in Columbus. Warren also extended his
>lead in the Pro Stock standings to 185 points (more than nine rounds) over
>his son Kurt, who continued to struggle with handling problems and fell in
>the first round.
>
>     Warren set the performance pace in every round of eliminations.
>He defeated George Marnell in the opening round, Robert Patrick in
>the quarter-final, and Mike Trumble in the semi-final round. For the
>second straight week, he faced a member of the Coughlin clan in the final.
>This time beat he Jeg Coughlin, Jr., 7.008 to 7.061, to tally his third
>career victory in Columbus.
>
>     "That Jeg's group is awfully tough," Warren noted. "When you can beat
>that camp at their home track you've done a good day's work.
>
>     "This car is turning out to be a better hot weather car than we
>expected," he added. "We'll be ready for St. Louis."
>
>     That won't be welcome news for W.J.'s rivals when the tour returns
>to Gateway International Raceway on June 24-27.
>
>WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
>Qualifying:
>Warren Johnson qualified No. 1 at 6.996/197.68
>Eliminations:
>Round 1: Warren Johnson (7.005/197.83) defeated George Marnell
>(7.070/196.33)
>Round 2: Warren Johnson (7.033/197.65) defeated Robert Patrick
>(7.069/196.53)
>Semi-Final: Warren Johnson (6.995/198.15) defeated Mike Trumble
>(12.459/69.70)
>Final Round: Warren Johnson (7.008/197.57) defeated Jeg Coughlin,
>Jr. (7.061/197.97)
>
>Low ET: Warren Johnson, 6.995 seconds (track record)
>Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 198.15 mph (track record)
>
>POINTS RACE:
>(After 10 of 22 events)
>Driver             Wins    Points
>1. Warren Johnson    5      878
>2. Kurt Johnson      2      693
>3. Richie Stevens    1      569
>4. Jim Yates         0      532
>5. Jeg Coughlin      1      528
>
>NEXT RACE:
>Sears Craftsman Nationals, June 24-27, Madison, Ill.
>TV: ABC, July 4, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific - check local listings.
>
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>
>
>   E-mail from: Rick Voegelin, 13-Jun-1999