NHRA: Warren Johnson Runner-up at BIR

24 August 1999

Warren Johnson in Sixth Final of Season

BRAINERD, Minn. - Warren Johnson advanced to the final round of
eliminations for the sixth time this season, finishing as runner-up to Jeg
Coughlin, Jr. in the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals at Brainerd
International Raceway on Sunday. W.J. came into the race with a perfect 5-0
record in final rounds this year, but had to settle for second place when
he misjudged the track conditions in the crucial match with Coughlin.

    Johnson defeated Tony Gillig, former crew chief Greg Anderson, and
a resurgent Mark Pawuk to advance to the final round for the 120th time in
his career. Johnson slipped from his 6-second pace in the early rounds to
a 7.16-second e.t. at only 179 mph against Coughlin. Jeg claimed his
third victory of the season with a 7.06-second elapsed time.

    "We expected the track to be better than it was, and we were just
too aggressive," Warren reported. "It shook the tires in the top of low
gear, second gear, and third gear - and that was all she wrote. I had my
worst reaction time of the weekend in the final because the tires just spun
on the starting line."

    Johnson returned to his home state of Minnesota on a mission. He
qualified in the No. 1 spot for the 11th time this season and set the BIR
track records for elapsed time (6.955 seconds) and top speed (197.59 mph).
Son Kurt was right behind at 6.963/197.45 mph, marking the third straight
race and the ninth time this year that the Johnsons have qualified 1-2. Jim
Yates failed to qualify at Brainerd, leaving Warren as the only Pro Stock
driver who has qualified for every event in 1999.

    Warren's runner-up finish increased his lead in the championship race
to 122 points over Kurt and 302 points over third-ranked Yates with seven
races remaining. "We didn't win this particular battle, but we're winning
the war," Johnson declared. "We have a 15-round margin over the third and
fourth place drivers, and Kurt helped his cause by going to the semi-final
round. I think Kurt can step it up and we can have a pretty good battle for
the championship. It will still be a pretty interesting year!"

    The battle will resume at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on
September 3-6.

WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
Qualifying: Warren Johnson qualified No. 1 at 6.955/197.59
Eliminations:
Round 1: Warren Johnson (6.966/197.36) defeated Tony Gillig (7.062/194.24)
Round 2: Warren Johnson (7.000/196.99) defeated Greg Anderson
(7.071/194.24)
Semi-Final: Warren Johnson (6.998/196.99) defeated Mark Pawuk
(7.068/194.18)
Final Round: Jeg Coughlin, Jr. (7.063/194.60) defeated Warren
Johnson (7.167/179.95)

Low ET: Warren Johnson, 6.955 seconds (track record)
Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 197.59 mph (track record)

POINTS RACE:
(After 15 of 22 events)
Driver             Wins    Points
1. Warren Johnson    5      1,221
2. Kurt Johnson      3      1,099
3. Jim Yates         2        919
4. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. 3        901
5. Richie Stevens    1        766

NEXT RACE:
U.S. Nationals, September 3-6, Indianapolis, Ind.
TV: TNN, Sept. 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern - check local listings.

                            # # #