NHRA Friday: Warren Johnson Sits Fifth Midway through Joliet Qualifying

Qualifying Results		
Event: Seventh annual NHRA Route 66 Nationals
Location:  Route 66 Raceway
       Joliet, Illinois
Day/Date: Friday, May 21, 2004

Warren Johnson had his GM Performance Parts Grand Am running well during Friday's opening day of qualifying at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois.  Posting one of the quickest times in each of the two sessions, his best effort of 6.862 seconds and 201.25 mph on Friday evening earned "The Professor" the fifth position heading into Saturday's action.  

Facing the dual challenge of the final qualifying attempts and the high-dollar King Demon Crown, Johnson maintained his business-like approach, focusing simply on improving his performance, and adapting to the new racing surface at Route 66 Raceway.

"They did an extremely good job of resurfacing this track, because it is extremely smooth.  In fact, we did not think the starting line was as good as it showed itself to be.  It certainly didn't look that way, but everybody got the tires to stick.  We made a late air pressure adjustment just to get the tires to spin a little bit.   I'd say we were decent, but not where we'd like to be.  

"Our next qualifying attempt will coincide with the first round of the King Demon Crown, but we aren't going to change anything because of it.  If we do a good job of getting our GM Performance Parts Grand Am down the track, the rest will take care of itself."