NHRA Warren Johnson Qualifying Update: WJ Starts 11th in Phoenix

Event:  22nd Annual Checker's Schuck's Kragen Nationals

Day/Date: Saturday, February 25, 2006

Location:  Firebird Raceway, Phoenix, AZ

 

Warren Johnson fought a tricky Firebird Raceway surface throughout
qualifying for the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals, with his
6.716-second pass on his third attempt on Saturday afternoon slotting
the GM Performance Parts GTO in the 11th starting position.  

 

With his 207.08 mph top speed being the fastest of qualifying in the Pro
Stock category, "The Professor" heads into Sunday's eliminations looking
for a more effective way to take advantage of the tremendous horsepower
created by his car's DRCE 3 engine in the early part of the run,
improving his elapsed times and his chances for a third win in the
Arizona desert.

 

 "We still haven't found the sweet spot to match our car's power to the
track.  For example, we're near the bottom of the page at the 330 foot
mark, and yet our GM Performance Parts GTO is consistently the fastest
car in the back half.  Obviously we're missing the mark someplace - it's
right in front of us, and we just can't see it yet.

 

"With the higher temperatures forecast for tomorrow, its going to be a
completely different ballgame. That will alter what we're dealing with,
making our jobs just a little more difficult.   However, we will look at
our notes tonight, analyze the runs we have made with this car, and come
up with a game plan.  Although we're not quite sure what we need to do
right now, we will get a handle on it, and start showing the results
we're capable of."