NHRA Warren Johnson Pomona Pre Race: WJ Aims to Close 2005
Season on a Winning Note
Sugar Hill, Ga., November 1, 2005 - By all accounts, Warren Johnson
has had a solid season in 2005. From the very first race, when he
piloted his untested GM Performance Parts Pontiac to a runner-up finish
at the Winternationals, Johnson has been a serious contender, not only
for individual race wins, but also the Pro Stock championship. In all,
he has scored three national event wins in five final round appearances,
six No. 1 qualifying positions, and established new career bests in
elapsed time and top speed.
This formidable showing will earn "The Professor" the 25th Top Five
POWERade points finish of his storied career. Although these multiple
accomplishments would satisfy virtually any other racer, as a six-time
Pro Stock champion Johnson has traditionally set his sights higher than
the norm, and therefore, his competitive desire remains unabated as he
and crew focus on winning this weekend's Auto Club of Southern
California Finals in Pomona, CA.
"If you look at my career, I have averaged about three wins per season,
so in that regard, it has been an average year," said Johnson. "We've
had our share of highs in the form of wins, final round appearances, low
elapsed times, top speeds and No. 1 qualifying performances, as well as
a few lows with some early round exits. Although some might view our
showing in 2005 as an accomplishment, I tend to grade success a bit
higher than what we have done so far.
"However, there are mostly positives to be taken from our GM Performance
Parts GTO team's performance this season, starting with the progress we
have made with the DRCE 3 engine. I have to keep reminding myself that
we are just at the tip of the iceberg with this project, because we are
continually finding ways to increase its power. It's an on-going thing
which is really enjoyable for me in that we keep finding horsepower and
have yet to hurt it.
"I'm also pleased with the personnel we have in place at Warren Johnson
Enterprises, both at the track and back in our shop. In terms of
personality, work ethic and team chemistry, I believe we have the best
line-up we have had in years. The potential these developments have
shown has me excited as we go forward. But before we look too far
ahead, we still have some unfinished business for 2005, namely winning
the last race of the year in Pomona."
The POWERade Drag Racing Series will once again close its season on the
same track at which the year started nine months ago, Pomona Raceway.
It is a familiar sight for "The Professor", who first raced on the
California quarter-mile in 1976, and will be making his 49th appearance
there this weekend. During that time, he has compiled a record of
success at this one track equal to what others have accomplished in
their entire career, with nine wins in seventeen final round appearances
and twelve No. 1 qualifying performances. This weekend he will look to
use the expertise gained from over 300 competitive passes to add to that
lengthy list of on-track successes.
"Pomona is one of the racetracks at which we've had relatively good
success," said Johnson. "It is constantly changing, from being
extremely rough at one time to very slippery at another. As there has
been relatively little maintenance in terms of the actual racing
surface, there is always something new cropping up to challenge us.
"For example, one year the starting line was as smooth as a dance floor,
while at other times we've had to navigate a series of bumps in one lane
or another. It also drops sixteen feet from the start to the finish
line, which adds to the speed. Fortunately, this all seems to play to
our team's strong suit, as evidenced by our record there. In this case,
change is good.
"I know some people subscribe to the theory that winning the Finals has
the added benefit of lasting through the off-season. However, I simply
believe that any win is good, whether it's the first or last race of the
season. As far as I'm concerned, this is the last race we can win for
the next 89 or so days, so it might as well be our GM Performance Parts
GTO that takes home the trophy."
Notes on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team
entering the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals:
* WJ is a Prime Performer at Pomona: This will be Warren's 49th
appearance at The Pomona Raceway, where he has nine wins in seventeen
final round appearances, and an incredible 96-36 elimination round
record for a .727 winning percentage.
* The Professor Usually Starts Near the Top at the Fairplex: In
his 46 previous starts in Pomona, WJ has 12 No. 1 qualifying
performances, with only two starts outside the top half of the field,
and an overall 3.78 starting spot.
* 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:
Thursday, November 3 - A single qualifying session at 2:00
p.m.
Friday, November 4 - A single qualifying session at
2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5 - Two qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m.
& 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6 - 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, November 5 -
10:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, November 6 -
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, November 6 -
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is
subject to change.) # # # #
