NHRA Pre-Race: It Will be Business as Usual for a Pragmatic
W.J. in Atlanta
It Will be Business as Usual for a Pragmatic W.J. in Atlanta
GM Performance Parts Racing Team looks to score home track win
Sugar Hill, Ga., April 28, 2003 - This weekend, the NHRA's POWERade Drag
Racing Series will be competing in Warren Johnson's backyard. With the
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Presented by Pontiac being
held at Atlanta Dragway, many feel this will give the GM Performance Parts
Grand Am crew an advantage, as the track is located In Commerce, GA, which is
a short drive from the team's shop in Sugar Hill.
Adding fuel to their competitors' fire is the fact that throughout the year,
both Warren and his son Kurt will spend countless hours at this venerable
speed plant fine-tuning their race cars for competition. However, "The
Professor" downplays any claims of an unfair edge, noting the primary
advantage lies in Atlanta Dragway's proximity to the Johnson homestead, while
explaining that having an affinity for one track could be counter-productive
at the other stops on the schedule.
"Although we certainly enjoy racing in Atlanta, we treat it like any other
race," stated Johnson. "In reality, there is no true home court advantage
other that being able to sleep in my own bed.
"Granted, we may have a little bit better knowledge of the track's
topographical characteristics because of our numerous test sessions. All that
means is that we know what gear ratios to use for the occasional bumps, which
is really not a major issue at this track, However, the surface is prepared
completely differently for a national event than it is for testing, which
requires a fairly significant change in the tune-up, putting us in the same
boat as the rest of our competitors."
"But no matter where we race, we have to get the job done. The way I see it,
if you get the mindset that you are going to be successful at a certain track
because it's your favorite, or since you are close to home, or whatever, that
means you are not as interested in winning the other races. Therefore, our
approach to every race is the same. That is especially true this year, when
our GM Performance Parts Grand Am is performing so well. We're certainly not
about to change it on a whim."
However, competitors must be careful not to mistake The Professor's low-key
approach for anything other than an unmitigated drive and determination to
succeed. As evidenced by his back-to-back No. 1 qualifying efforts at the
last two stops on the schedule, Johnson and his GM Performance Parts Grand Am
are certainly on top of their game. In addition, a quick review of W.J.'s
history as his home track shows that he certainly knows his way to the
winner's circle. As such, he is more than qualified to offer his assessment
of the racing surface.
"Other than a slight bump in the right hand lane at the transition point, the
Atlanta Dragway track is relatively smooth," details Johnson. "In fact, if
the surface is treated properly, and certain classes don't abuse it too much,
it can be one of the best on the circuit. Just as with any track, its
performance characteristics will depend on the ambient temperatures. If we
see a big swing between the day and night sessions, it could be difficult for
anyone not in after Friday night to earn a spot in eliminations.
"Our game plan will be based on our notes and in place before we get to the
track. Once there, we' ll evaluate the surface, check the weather, decide on
a set-up for the first qualifying session and fine-tune it afterwards. The
potential is certainly there - it's just.up to us to maximize it and put the
GM Performance Parts Grand Am in the winner's circle. The best part about
winning at our home track is that the drive home with the trophy and check is
a little shorter."
Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering the
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Presented by Pontiac:
- WJ is Right at Home in Atlanta: This will be Warren's 23rd NHRA Pro Stock
national event appearance at Atlanta Dragway, where he has accumulated four
wins in seven final round appearances, while compiling a 37-18 elimination
round record. He has been equally effective in qualifying, with nine No. 1
qualifying efforts, and an average starting spot of 2.5.
- Atlanta Record Holder: Warren Johnson holds both the elapsed time and top
speed track records at Atlanta Dragway, based on his 6.811 second, 202.61 mph
performance in defeating Mark Pawuk in the first round of last year's
eliminations.
- One year ago: WJ qualified second for last year's Atlanta race with an
elapsed time of 6.822 seconds and a top speed of 202.52 mph, and advanced to
the quarterfinals.
- National Record Holder: Warren reset the NHRA Pro Stock national elapsed
time record with his 6.720-second pass in Houston two weeks ago, bettering
the previous mark by three hundredths of a second. This marks the 10th time
in his career that WJ has held the record.
- Winning Streak: With his win at the 2003 Winternationals, Warren Johnson
extended his streak of winning at least one race a year to 22 years, the
longest in NHRA history.
- POWERade Points standings: After the sixth of 23 events, WJ arrives in
Atlanta in third place in the 2003 POWERade points standings with 438 points,
113 behind his son and leader Kurt Johnson, and only 18 behind second place
Greg Anderson. Warren finished fourth in 2002, his twenty-first consecutive
Top Five finish.
- Flying the Stars and Stripes: At the request of their sponsors, Kurt and
his father Warren Johnson have replaced the Chevrolet and Pontiac logos on
the roofs of their race cars with the American flag to honor America and show
their support for the troops.
- No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 89 national event victories are the
most ever in the history of the Pro Stock division and place him 2nd on the
all-time NHRA win list. His most recent win came at the 2003 Winternationals
in Pomona, CA.
- Career best elapsed time: 6.720 seconds, Houston 2003 (The quickest pass
in NHRA Pro Stock history.)
- Career best top speed: 205.16 mph, Houston 2003 (The fourth fastest pass
in NHRA Pro Stock history.)
Event schedule:
Qualifying: Friday, April 25: Two sessions at 4:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26: Two sessions at 12:30 & 3:30 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, April 27:
Pre-race ceremonies & driver introductions begin at 11 a.m., followed by the
first round of eliminations at 12:00 noon
TV Schedule:
Qualifying Highlights: Saturday, May 3: 9:30 - 11:30 p.m.
(ESPN2)
Final Eliminations Coverage: Sunday, May 4: 4:30 - 7:30
p.m. (ESPN2)
NHRA2Day: Sunday, May 4: 11:30 - 12:00 noon
(ESPN2)
(Note: All TV times are Eastern. Please check your local listings for
updated air times.)
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