NHRA Warren Johnson Columbus Wrap Up: WJ Reaches the Second Round in Columbus

 

Event:  41st Annual Pontiac Performance Nationals 

Day/Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005

Location:  National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Ohio

 

After being honored as the event's Grand Marshal during pre-race
ceremonies, Warren Johnson looked to double his winnings by taking home
the Pro Stock title during Sunday's final eliminations of the Pontiac
Performance Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

 

Starting from the No. 1 position for the 134th time in his career,
Johnson opened in fine fashion, recording the quickest pass of the first
round in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac at 6.736-seconds to defeat
Allen Johnson.  This set the stage for a quarter-final encounter with
rival Greg Anderson.

 

Although the two cars left the starting line close together and seemed
evenly matched in the early stages, Johnson's pace was slowed by
unexpected tire spin midway through the run, resulting in a 6.774-second
elapsed time, which allowed his opponent to narrowly edge by at the
finish line.

 

Despite the premature ending to his day, Johnson was encouraged by being
able to leave National Trail Raceway with the POWERade Championship
points lead.  In addition, his 6.723-second elapsed time and 205.13 mph
top speed were the best in the Pro Stock category for the weekend,
marking the 138th time he has posted the low elapsed time and 201st top
speed of the meet in his illustrious career.  Therefore, the veteran
team will head to Topeka ready to regain their winning stride.

 

"We made a few adjustments to our GM Performance Parts Pontiac this
morning, and had a really good run in the first round. Since the weather
was the same for the second round, from the track temperature to the air
density rating, we didn't make a lot of changes for the second round.


 

"We were as quick as anyone to the 330-foot mark, but it got loose in
the middle and spun the tires, which slowed us down just enough.  In
actuality, everyone slowed down in that round, unfortunately we just
slowed down a little more.

 

"We'll analyze the data, figure out what went wrong, fix it and go on to
Topeka.  We're driving back to the shop tonight to get a head start on
getting ready.  The weekend was not a total loss by any means.  We did
get the car to go straighter than it has been in the first 330 feet, and
consequently our sixty-foot times have been plummeting.  We keep gaining
on it every week, so it should only get better from here."