NHRA: Warren Johnson Runner-Up in Reading

18 September 2000

QUICK RESULTS:
Qualified: 3rd
Finished: Runner-up
Points: 4th

WARREN RUNNER-UP TO KURT IN JOHNSON FAMILY FINAL ROUND

READING, Pa. - Warren Johnson hates to lose, but the pain of his
final-round defeat today at the Keystone Nationals was soothed by the
knowledge that it was his son Kurt who claimed the victory. W.J. posted his
fourth runner-up finish of the season and the 48th of his career, falling
to Kurt's 6.885-second elapsed time with a game 6.914-second effort.

    How evenly matched were the two entries from Warren Johnson
Enterprises? Kurt's ACDelco Camaro and Warren's GM Goodwrench Service Plus
Firebird were both were clocked at 200.14 mph in the final!

    "It was a win-win situation for Warren Johnson Enterprises," said
Johnson. "It was good for Kurt and good for his team. It looks like they're
on course and they should be ready for next year. I'm happy that he won."

    A healthy dose of oxygen from the trees that gave Maple Grove Raceway
its name combined with cool autumn temperatures to supercharge the Pro
Stocks at the Keystone Nationals. W.J.'s vaunted horsepower was in evidence
as the Professor drove his Pontiac to four straight runs at over 200 mph
in qualifying. The 200 mph mark was breached 15 times this weekend, with
the Johnsons recording ten runs over 200 mph. The Professor of Pro Stock
was at the head of the class with the event's fastest speed at 201.28 mph.

    Warren had to march through a strong field of rivals to reach the
final round. He defeated a resurgent Jim Yates in the second round despite
Yates having his choice of lanes. A semi-final round victory over points
leader Jeg Coughlin Jr., 6.885 to 6.906, was especially sweet - it was the
first time Johnson beat Coughlin in the pair's six meetings this season.

    The Johnson family has dominated the Keystone Nationals for the
last decade, appearing in eight final rounds in the last 10 events. This
year's edition saw W.J. face his son in the final round for the 12th time
in their racing careers.

    "I moved around a little bit in the right hand lane just like I did in
the first round," Warren reported after the race, "but we did as well as
we could."

    After a one-week break, the NHRA tour will resume in Topeka, Kansas,
where W.J. has tallied five victories since 1992.

WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
Qualifying: Warren Johnson qualified No. 3 at 6.855/200.71
Eliminations:
First Round: Warren Johnson (6.920/199.35) defeated Robert
Patrick (7.480/145.03)
Second Round: Warren Johnson (6.914/199.40) defeated Jim Yates
(6.920/199.05)
Semi-Final: Warren Johnson (6.885/200.47) defeated Jeg Coughlin
Jr. (6.906/198.52)
Final Round: Kurt Johnson (6.885/200.14) defeated Warren
Johnson (6.914/200.14)

Low ET: Ron Krisher, 6.846 seconds (track record)
Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 201.28 mph 

POINTS RACE:
(After 18 of 23 events)
Driver               Wins    Points
1. Jeg Coughlin Jr.    8      1,592
2. Kurt Johnson        4      1,229
3. Ron Krisher         2      1,196
4. Warren Johnson      1      1,112
5. Troy Coughlin       0        926
(tie) Mark Pawuk       1        926

NEXT RACE:
Advance Auto Parts Nationals, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Topeka, Kan.
TV: TNN, Oct. 1, 4:30-6 p.m. (ET)