Warren Johnson Wins in Bristol

THE WARREN REPORT: Warren Johnson GM Performance Parts Race Report from
the Mac Tools Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals

QUICK RESULTS
Qualified: 7th
Finished: Winner
Points: 1st


W.J. GOES ALL THE WAY IN BRISTOL BASH

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Warren Johnson returned to the familiar ground of
Bristol Dragway's winner's circle after he scored his first victory of the
2002 season in Sunday's Mac Tools Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals. A
perennial winner at the Tennessee track in the late '70s, Johnson notched
his first victory at Bristol Dragway in the modern era over final-round
opponent Ron Krisher. Johnson's holeshot win with his GM Performance Parts
Pontiac vaulted him to first place in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock
championship standings.

    W.J. defeated Gene Wilson, George Marnell and V. Gaines to advance to
the final round for the second time in 2002 and the 137th time in his
career. He posted his 88th career national event victory with a
6.986/198.41 mph run to Krisher's quicker 6.975 at 198.15 mph. Johnson's
.035-second reaction time advantage gave him the edge he needed to hold off
Krisher.

    "I think we've turned the corner on consistency," said Johnson
after winning his 13th elimination round in six races. "We're not
necessarily the fastest car out there, but round for round we're hanging
right in there, and that's what it really takes."

    The track's elevation, combined with rain and rapidly changing
weather conditions, compelled Pro Stock competitors to adjust their raceday
setups.

    "I didn't really worry about the rain delay," Johnson reported. "NHRA
does a good job of preparing the track. The coat of rubber on it was
extremely thin, so the water couldn't get underneath it and peel it up. In
fact, we got a little more aggressive for the final than we had for any of
the other rounds, and it paid off."

    Johnson became the sixth different Pro Stock winner in the six
races contested this season.

    "I guess you call that parity," Johnson noted. "We'd like to break out
and win three or four of these things, but when you look at the closeness
of competition out there, everybody's got to be on their game."

    Johnson's Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals victory, combined with
a first-round loss by Jim Yates, gave the Professor a 65-point margin over
Yates in the championship race. W.J. will have little time to savor his
lead, however. The action resumes next weekend when Atlanta Dragway,
Johnson's home track, hosts the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern
Nationals presented by Pontiac.

WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS
Qualified: No. 7 at 6.887/201.10 mph
First Round: Warren Johnson (7.005/198.61) defeated Gene Wilson
(7.052/197.16)
Second Round: Johnson (6.982/198.67) defeated George Marnell (7.027/197.02)
Semifinal: Johnson (6.966/198.99) defeated V. Gaines (6.970/198.23)
Final Round: Johnson (6.986/198.41) defeated Ron Krisher (6.975/198.15)
91/201.73)

Low ET: Troy Coughlin, 6.853 seconds (track record)
Top Speed: Ron Krisher, 201.58 mph (track record)

PRO STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After 6 of 23 events)
Driver              Wins   Points
1. Warren Johnson    1      462
2. Jim Yates         0      397
3. George Marnell    1      382
4. Ron Krisher       1      381
5. Mike Edwards      1      375
6. Darrell Alderman  1      351
7. Kurt Johnson      0      312
8. Bruce Allen       1      295
9. Tom Hammonds      0      284
10. V. Gaines        0      277

NEXT RACE
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac,
Atlanta, May 2-5