Warren Scores Record 86th Victory

Contact: Rick Voegelin
831-761-2201
rickvoegelin@compuserve.com


THE WARREN REPORT: Warren Johnson GM Goodwrench Service Plus Race Report
from the Mile-High Nationals

QUICK RESULTS
Qualified: Third
Finished: Winner
Points: First

Johnson Scores Record 86th Victory at Mile-High Nationals

DENVER, July 22, 2001 -- Warren Johnson's victory at the Mopar Parts
Mile-High Nationals was one for the record book. With his 86th career
victory, the 58-year-old driver of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac
became the most successful Pro Stock driver in drag racing history.

    Johnson defeated his son Kurt in the final round at Bandimere Speedway
to surpass Bob Glidden's longstanding record of 85 national event titles.
W.J. improved his final-round results in 2001 to a perfect 5-0 and
increased his lead in the Winston championship to 112 points over Jim
Yates.

    "I would have to say it's been a pretty good day," said the Professor
of Pro Stock. "This is a serious business and everyone on the team has to
do their part to be successful."

    The victory at the high-altitude track marked another milestone
in Johnson's 26-year career. Johnson, a five-time champion, was the first
driver to break the 180 mph, 190 mph, and 200 mph barriers. He now leads
the Pro Stock performance statistics in every category with the most
victories (86), the most final rounds (134), the most No. 1 qualifiers
(124), the most Low ETs (124), and the most Top Speeds (189).

    "Just as GM Goodwrench Service Plus sets the standard in
automotive service, Warren Johnson has set the new standard in performance
in the most closely contested category in NHRA drag racing," said John
Smith, vice president and general manager of GM Service Parts Operations.
"Warren's commitment to excellence on the track reflects the commitment to
excellence in service that inspires GM Goodwrench Service Plus dealers and
employees."

    Johnson qualified in the No. 3 spot at 7.283 seconds with a
track-record speed of 189.71 mph. He defeated Mark Pawuk, V. Gaines, and
Mike Edwards to advance to the trophy round. Facing his son Kurt for the
14th time in a final, W.J. had the quicker reaction time for the fourth
straight round and won with a 7.347 to Kurt's quicker 7.335-second elapsed
time.

    "The driver was average and the car was consistent," said Johnson with
his characteristic candor. "That's what you need to win these things."

    Warren has scored all of his NHRA victories with General Motors
products -- 54 with Oldsmobile and 32 with Pontiac. He was instrumental in
the development of the GM Drag Race Competition Engine and the new
generation of GM Grand Am and Cavalier Pro Stock bodies.

    "Warren Johnson continues to deliver Pontiac driving excitement by
winning more races than any Pro Stock driver in NHRA history," said
Pontiac-GMC General Manager Lynn Myers. "We're extremely proud that 'the
Professor's' record-breaking 86th career victory was behind the wheel of a
Pontiac Grand Am."

    With back-to-back races in Seattle and Sonoma, Calif., in the next
two weeks, Johnson has little time for celebration. "You're only as good as
your last race," he noted. "An hour from now, we'll put our nose to the
grindstone, try and figure out how we won this race, and how we're going to
attack Seattle, Sonoma and the rest of the season."

    W.J. will aim for victory No. 87 next weekend at the Prolong
Super Lubricants Northwest NHRA Nationals at Seattle International Raceway
-- a track where he notched four of his record 86 victories.

WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS
Qualifying: Warren Johnson qualified No. 3 at 7.283/189.71
Eliminations:
First Round: Warren Johnson (7.310/189.02) defeated Mark Pawuk
(7.394/186.67)
Second Round: Johnson (7.335/188.60) defeated V. Gaines (7.425/188.31)
Semifinal: Johnson (7.352/188.31) defeated Mike Edwards (7.358/188.25)
Final: W. Johnson (7.347/188.28) defeated Kurt Johnson (7.335/188.73)

Low ET: Bruce Allen, 7.273 seconds
Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 189.71 mph (track record)

POINTS RACE
(After 14 of 24 events)
Driver              Wins    Points
1. Warren Johnson    5      1033
2. Jim Yates         1       921
3. Jeg Coughlin Jr.  3       850
4. Mark Pawuk        0       811
5. Mike Edwards      1       776
6. Kurt Johnson      1       753

NEXT RACE
Prolong Northwest NHRA Nationals, July 27-29, Seattle
TV: ESPN2, July 29, 6 - 8 p.m. (ET)

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  E-mail from: Rick Voegelin, 23-Jul-2001