NHRA Pre Race: Warren Johnson Looks for the Perfect Mix in Maple Grove

    
Warren Johnson Looks for the Perfect Mix in Maple Grove 
GM Performance Parts team looks for combination of experience and power to 
win in Reading

SUGAR HILL, GA., October 1, 2003 -  The NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series 
returns to Reading, PA this weekend to complete the Lucas Oil Nationals, which 
were postponed by the heavy rains that hit the Keystone State in middle of 
September.   This three-week delay translates into atmospheric conditions that may 
be the best of the year.

"The racing surface at Maple Grove will usually hold whatever you throw at 
it," said Johnson.  "There are a few bumps, but nothing of great consequence.  
The management takes great pride in preparing the track as best as they can, 
and usually it's been pretty darn good, so if we get the right atmospheric 
conditions, we could well see a barrage of outstanding elapsed times in all 
categories."

With cooler temperatures forecast for the weekend, a premium will be placed 
on performance, with each participant looking to extract the maximum from both 
their race car and the Maple Grove racing surface.  As such, Warren Johnson 
believes he has all the ingredients for a winning combination.  For example, 
with nineteen years of experience at the Pennsylvania quarter-mile, "The 
Professor" has detailed tuning notes dating back to 1988, which could prove useful 
under these unique circumstances.  

In addition, since making its debut in Topeka, the GM Performance Parts Grand 
Am has been one of the top cars in the highly competitive Pro Stock division, 
a trend that is most likely to continue as Johnson and his crew become more 
familiar with its tuning envelope.  With that goal in mind, Johnson included a 
one day test session as part of his pre-race preparation.  

"We're still going through a bit of a learning curve with this particular 
car," detailed Johnson.  "Given the conditions, we ran as well as we ever have in 
Atlanta during testing this week.  We tried some new things with the chassis, 
and they seem to be a step in the right direction.  We naturally hope this 
will translate into an equally strong performance in Reading.

"Qualifying will probably come down to the first session on Saturday morning, 
so we will have to be cautiously aggressive going in.  Most of the teams have 
had enough time with their race cars and set-ups to know how far they can 
push it on any particular track surface.  Even though there was only one usable 
lane back in September, we hope they will have done some work on the left lane 
to even things out. 

"Either way, we are comfortable enough with our GM Performance Parts Grand Am 
that we should be able to quickly hone in on a competitive set-up under 
premium tuning conditions, to qualify well, and put ourselves in a position to win 
on Sunday."


Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering 
the Lucas Oil Nationals:

·   WJ Reigns at Reading: This will be Warren's 19th NHRA Pro Stock national 
event appearance at Maple Grove Raceway, where he has three wins in eight 
final round appearances, with a 39-15 elimination round record for a winning 
percentage of .722.  

·   Warren's Qualifying Stats At Maple Grove: In his 18 previous races in 
Reading, WJ has six No. 1 qualifying efforts, with only two starts outside the 
top three, and has qualified no lower than eighth .  Warren's average starting 
spot at Maple Grove is 2.33.

·   One year ago: WJ qualified fifth with an elapsed time of 6.838 seconds 
and a top speed of 201.28 mph, and advanced to the semi-finals.

·   Winning Streak: Warren Johnson has now won at least two races in 18 of 
the past 22 years.  In addition, his current streak of winning at least one race 
a year for 22 consecutive years is the longest in NHRA history.

·   Reading Winner's Circle is Familiar Johnson Territory: Warren Johnson and 
his son Kurt combined to win six of the 10 NHRA National events in Maple 
Grove from 1991-2000.  WJ took home the trophy in 1991, 1992 & 1995 (and was the 
runner-up in 1993, 1994 & 2000), while KJ won the title in 1993, 1998 & 2000.

·   POWERade Points standings: After the nineteenth of 23 events, WJ stands 
fourth in the 2003 POWERade points standings with 1156 points, 193 behind third 
place Jeg Coughlin Jr.
 
·   No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 91 national event victories are the 
most ever in the history of the Pro Stock division and place him second on the 
all-time NHRA win list.  His most recent win came in July at the Mile-High 
Nationals in Denver, CO.

·   Career best elapsed time:  6.715 seconds, Englishtown 2003

·   Career best top speed:  205.69 mph, Englishtown 2003

 
Event schedule:
Qualifying:   Saturday,October 4:              Two sessions at 10:00 a.m. & 
2:30 p.m.
Eliminations:   Sunday, October 5:           Pre-race ceremonies  - 10:00 
a.m.
                                                                 First round 
of eliminations  - 11:00 a.m.
TV Schedule:
Final Eliminations Coverage:    Sunday, October 12:     5:00 - 6:00 p.m. 
(ESPN2)
NHRA2Day:           Sunday, October 5:          11:00 - 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)


(Note: All TV times are Eastern and subject to change.  Please check your 
local listings for updated air times.)