NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: WJ Is Ready to Turn Up the Heat in Topeka

Warm forecast has GM Performance Parts crew primed for Memorial Day
race weekend

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., May 24, 2006 - This weekend, the nation celebrates
Memorial Day, one of our biggest and most traditional holidays, honoring
the brave men and women of the military services.  Over the years, it
has become the unofficial kick-off to the start of summer, as well as a
tremendous weekend for racing, with major events held in every
professional series.  For members of the straight-line set, this means a
trip to Topeka, KS for the O'Reilly Summer Nationals, the ninth stop on
the 23-race POWERade Drag Racing circuit.

 

Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team are aiming
for a strong performance heading into Heartland Park Topeka as they look
to gain ground in the championship chase.  One facet that may be working
in their favor is the weather forecast, which is calling for
temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's, a marked departure from what
the "factory hot rods" have experienced so far in 2006.

 

"Somehow, the weather always seems front and center when we come to
Topeka," stated Johnson.  "Fortunately, we pride on ourselves on keeping
as good a notebook as possible on every racetrack and situation.
Therefore, we can deal with almost any weather conditions, as long as
it's not raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing.

 

"However, this current GM Performance Parts GTO seems to be at its best
in warmer temperatures, so we hope the forecast for the weekend holds
true.  In any case, we'll assess the weather when we get there, take a
look at the track to see how it's changed and come up with a game plan."


 

This race will mark The Professor's 23rd national event appearance in
the Kansas capitol, and by all accounts, it has been a successful
pairing.  Since 1989, when he captured the No. 1 qualifying position and
defeated Bob Glidden in the first round of Heartland Park Topeka's NHRA
debut, Johnson has established a solid record of success.  His five HPT
wins lead all Pro Stock competitors, giving him an unparalleled
perspective on this unique, multi-faceted motorsports facility.

 

"Sitting in the middle of the Kansas plains, Heartland Park Topeka's
location in unlike any other on the POWERade tour," described Johnson.
"What's funny is that it sits at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, but
the land is so flat, you can pretty much see where you can get to in two
days.

 

"Historically, the surface has been pretty good, although we haven't run
as fast there as the conditions would indicate.  However, they've done
some work to the facility since last year, so we really won't know what
kind of track we'll have until we get there.  One thing I certainly hope
does not change is the parity between the two lanes.  They've always
been pretty even in the past.  Of course, a lot has to do with how the
track is prepared, which also has been an issue of late.

 

"Fortunately, one of this GM Performance Parts GTO team's strengths has
been our ability to adapt to the situation, so we should be in good
shape.  We've got the weapons in our arsenal - we just have to make sure
to fire them at the right time."

 

Quick Notes on Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO team
entering

The 18th annual O'Reilly Summer Nationals:

 

WJ is the Top Dog in Topeka:  This will be Warren's 23rd career NHRA
national event at Heartland Park Topeka.  In his previous 21 starts in
Kansas, he has five wins (in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1998) in six
final rounds, which the most by any Pro Stock competitor.  

 

Warren Qualifies Up Front in Kansas:  In 21 Heartland Park Topeka
starts, WJ has seven No. 1 qualifying performances, 15 starts in the top
four positions and a strong 4.27 average starting position.

 

One Year Ago:  Warren qualified 10th with a 6.764-second elapsed time
with a top speed of 204.39 mph, and advanced to the quarterfinals.

 

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, May 26:                Two qualifying sessions at 4:30 & 7:00
p.m.

            Saturday, May 27:           Two qualifying sessions at 12
noon & 2:30 p.m.

            Sunday, May 28:               Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 10:00 a.m.

                                                     First Round of
Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, May 27:    8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, May 28:      10:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, May 28:      11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon