NHRA Warren Johnson Saturday Update: WJ Hopes Thirteenth Proves Lucky in Pomona

 

Event:  41st Annual Auto Club of Southern California Nationals

Day/Date: Saturday, November 5, 2005

Location:  Pomona Raceway, Pomona, CA

 

Warren Johnson and his GM Performance Parts GTO crew were severely
tested during qualifying for the Auto Club of Southern California
Finals.  In each of the four sessions, they found themselves working to
extract the most from their race car, as well as a tricky Pomona Raceway
racing surface.  

 

Although their hard work was rewarded with a 6.717-second, 207.15 mph
pass on Friday afternoon, earning the thirteenth starting position for
the final race of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season, the crew
knew they would need to step up their performance in order to close the
year with their fourth national event win.

 

"We have applied everything that we have learned over the years to this
car, and so far, it isn't cooperating.  If we get it figured out, it
will be fine.  What we need to get it fixed is an intensive test
session, which we already have planned for after the season is over.  We
have another car being built relatively soon, and we want to incorporate
any changes we feel are necessary into the new one, so we have a fresh
race horse to start next season.

 

"However, for the immediate future, we have to focus on tomorrow's final
eliminations.  We'll go over our notes, come up with a game plan, and do
the best job we can with this GM Performance Parts GTO, trying to go
four rounds and leave with the win.  After that, we'll be in test mode."