NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: WJ Aims to Start Improving
on his Mid-Term Grade in Denver
Contact:
Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Ph: (704) 662-3121
jgknapp@tmgsports.net
WJ Aims to Start Improving on his Mid-Term Grade in Denver
GM Performance Parts Racing Team Shoots for Fifth Mile-High Nationals
title
Sugar Hill, Ga., July 11, 2005 - By all accounts, Warren Johnson and the
GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing Team have acquitted themselves well
in the first twelve races of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season.
They have been in contention for the win at almost every event and have
firmly established themselves as serious contenders for the 2005 Pro
Stock championship. With five No. 1 qualifying positions and two wins
in four final round appearances, they have consistently maintained their
position at or near the top of the standings.
It is a performance that would thrill most participants in this highly
competitive category. However, "The Professor of Pro Stock" tends to
grade himself on a slightly tougher scale, part of his never-ending
search for improvement. As the straight-liners look to kick off the
second half of their year with the Mile-High Nationals in Denver, CO,
Johnson took time to evaluate his competitive efforts of the last six
months.
"If I had to grade our performance to this point in the season, I would
have to give us a B-minus," stated Johnson. "Obviously, we're not
totally satisfied with where we are performance-wise, and that
encompasses the car, the driver and the team. Fortunately, we are still
in contention because, in my opinion, there have been no A-graded teams
so far. If we are able to shore up a few of our weak spots, I believe
we can be much more effective in the second half of the season.
"However, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives in the first
twelve races, which are the result of everybody's hard work. For
example, the DRCE III engine has proven itself to be a solid piece, and
although the coordination of the entire package between the engine and
the car may have taken a little longer than we would have liked, we're
pleased with its current progress. We've done a pretty good job to this
point with our GM Performance Parts Pontiac going rounds and scoring
points, but we're not about to rest on our laurels. We have to keep
moving forward, trying to do even better."
The Johnson crew's aspirations of raising their game will be severely
challenged by the conditions at Bandimere Speedway, site of this
weekend's race. Located just outside of Denver, the wafer-thin air
significantly reduces the amount of horsepower available to the "factory
hot rods", putting a premium on hitting the right chassis combination to
maximize the power available.
Fortunately, it has been a good racetrack for Johnson, whose four
previous wins in nine final rounds on the mountain are the most by any
active Pro Stock driver.
"The unique conditions in Denver make it one of the tougher tracks to
race on," said Johnson. "We have an adjusted altitude of nearly 9000
feet, and the thin air means these Pro Stock cars are down about 300
horsepower. As such, it requires a set-up unlike any other we use
throughout the year. Therefore, you have to have impeccable notes of
where you are before you start making wholesale changes to get the car
to be effective in Denver, because you have to change it right back for
the following race.
"We've done relatively well there over the years, most likely because I
learned to race under less than favorable conditions, with Denver
fitting right in that scenario. In fact, I raced for several years in
Pueblo, which is at an even higher altitude than Bandimere, making it
easier for me to adapt to the conditions for the Mile-High Nationals.
Hopefully, that experience will help us this weekend, as we look to kick
off the second half of the season on a positive note. I believe our GM
Performance Parts Pontiac's performance is on an upswing, and it's up to
us to take advantage of it this weekend. After all, it's all part of
the plan."
Notes on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team
entering the
Mile-High Nationals:
* WJ is the Boss in Bandimere: This will be Warren's 22nd NHRA
appearance at Bandimere Speedway, where he has four wins (in 1984, 1991,
2001 & 2003) in nine final round appearances, which is the most among
active Pro Stock drivers. In addition, WJ was the No. 1 qualifier four
times, has an 4.24 average starting position (with only four starts
outside the top half of the field) and has an elimination round record
of 47-17 in his previous twenty-one Colorado starts.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 94 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 at this
year's O'Reilly Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals in Bristol, TN.
* One year ago: Warren was the fifteenth qualifier with an elapsed
time of 7.218 seconds and a top speed of 191.62, and advanced to the
quarter-finals.
* Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.679 seconds, Gainesville, FL,
3/20/05
* Career best top speed: 207.50 mph, Englishtown, NJ, 6/19/05
Event Schedule:
Friday, July 15 - Two qualifying
sessions at 4:15 & 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 - Two qualifying
sessions at 10: 15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 - Pre-race ceremonies
begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by
the first
round of eliminations at 12:00 noon.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, July 16 -
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, July 17 -
3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, July 17 -
9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
(Repeat) Monday, July 18 -
3:00 - 4:30 a.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, July 17 -
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is
subject to change.)
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