NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: WJ Shoots for His First GTO Win
in Dallas
GM Performance Parts Racing Team Set for Challenge of All-Concrete
Texas Motorplex
Sugar Hill, Ga., October 5, 2005 - Following a two-week delay due to
Hurricane Rita's untimely arrival, the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing
Series makes its annual visit to the Texas Motorplex this weekend with
the running of the O'Reilly Fall Nationals. Even with the inclusion of
the normally scheduled Chicago race in the middle, Warren Johnson and
the GM Performance Parts Pontiac GTO Racing team have made the most of
the added fortnight, logging extra hours at their shop in Georgia and
spending a day testing in Illinois. Although on-track results will
provide the ultimate proof, in Johnson's estimation, it has been time
well spent.
"We'll find out for sure this weekend, but we believe we found something
that will pick up our performance in the first 60 to 330 feet, which is
an area we have been working on," stated Johnson. "In addition to
having extra time at the shop to work on our engines, the postponement
allowed us to spend a day testing in Chicago after the race, which was
our first true test with this GM Performance Parts GTO since before its
debut in Brainerd.
"We made seven runs, working on a variety of things, which we feel were
highly productive, as our performance improved with every one. We now
have a total of ten test runs on it, which is the least I have ever had
on any car after having it for two months. We'll leave the set-up the
same for the first qualifying session, see where we stack up and go
forward from there. Those test results have us cautiously optimistic
heading into Dallas this weekend."
This week, the team will tackle one of the most unique tracks on the
NHRA POWERade circuit, the all-concrete quarter-mile at the Texas
Motorplex. Although the surface is capable of delivering national
record performances, its narrow racing groove leaves both the crew chief
and driver little room for error. As the most successful Pro Stock
driver in the track's history with five wins in eleven final round
appearances, The Professor is more than qualified to explain what is
needed to succeed in the Lone Star State, including how to make the most
of a potentially disastrous situation.
"The Texas Motorplex was originally touted as the first 'supertrack',
with its all concrete surface," recalled Johnson. "While that's fine in
of itself, it does create an extremely narrow groove, because it is a
high-traction surface and people don't have the normal problems in the
transitions associated with the concrete and asphalt tracks. If you do
get out of the groove, you can certainly get yourself in trouble.
"I remember a few years ago during the Friday night qualifying session,
it was extremely humid, making the groove extremely slippery. I got out
of the groove, and the only way I could keep it straight was to let it
brush the wall and then pull the parachute to slow it down. Although I
gave the car a Darlington stripe, I was able to bang the quarter panel
out and win the race. It's not the recommended way of doing it, but we
made the best of the situation, which is exactly what we're hoping to do
with our GM Performance Parts GTO this weekend. We should be fine."
Notes on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team
entering the
O'Reilly Fall Nationals:
* WJ is the Big Dog in Dallas: This will be Warren's 23rd NHRA
appearance at the Texas Motorplex, where he has five wins in eleven
final round appearances, which is the most among Pro Stock drivers. In
his 22 previous starts, WJ has complied a 43-16 elimination round record
for a .729 win percentage.
* The Professor is a Top Qualifier in Texas: WJ has been the No.
1 qualifier eleven times in Ennis, with only four starts outside the top
three starting positions, and a 3.05 average starting position.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 95 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 the
2005 Mile-High Nationals in Denver, CO.
* 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, October 7 - Two qualifying sessions
at 4:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 - Two qualifying sessions at
12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 9 - Pre-race ceremonies begin
at 10:00 a.m. followed by
the first
round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, October 8 -
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, October 9 -
8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, October 9 -
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is
subject to change.)
