NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: WJ Targets A Strong Rebound in Reading

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

 WJ Targets A Strong Rebound in Reading 

  GM Performance Part Crew Preps for Rescheduled Toyo Tires Nationals

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., September 27, 2006 - The POWERade Drag Racing Series
returns to Reading, PA this weekend for the rescheduled Toyo Tires
Nationals, which were postponed due to heavy rains two weeks ago.
Despite having to return to Maple Grove Raceway on what had been
originally scheduled as an off weekend, Warren Johnson and the GM
Performance Parts GTO are anxious to return to action as they look to
get a handle on their new race car which has given them mixed signals in
its first two races.  With an additional week to decipher the data, "The
Professor" is confident of extracting the necessary performance to be in
contention.

 

"After I looked over the data from Dallas, as well as from Indianapolis,
it was somewhat obvious what we needed to do with our GM Performance
Parts GTO," explained Johnson.  "In retrospect, I guess instead of going
for a nice, safe infield hit, I went for the throat and tried to hit a
monster home run right out of the box, and it bit us.

 

"We know where this car basically should run, and now what we have to do
is make sure we adapt correctly to the conditions.  If we take care of
business, we should be in good shape.  The one question mark we will
have going into this race will be the track at Maple Grove.  Not only
has it seen a tremendous amount of rain over the last two weeks, but it
has also endured an entire year's worth of Northeast weather since we
were last on it, including the extreme cold of winter and the heat of
summer.  

 

"Fortunately, all four qualifying sessions will be held during the day,
so each one should provide a realistic opportunity to make the show.
Since we have to go back, our goal is to go ahead and win the race to
make the extra trip worthwhile."

 

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

The 22nd annual Toyo Tires Nationals:

 

Reading has been a good classroom for The Professor:  This will be
Warren's 22nd career NHRA national event at Maple Grove Raceway.  In his
previous 20 starts, he has four wins (which is the most by a Pro Stock
driver) in nine final round appearances (including six in a row from
1991-1996), and a 44-16 elimination round record for a .733 win
percentage.  WJ's most recent Reading win came in 2003, when he defeated
Troy Coughlin in the final.

 

WJ's Qualifying Stats at "The Grove":  In 20 Maple Raceway starts, WJ
has six No. 1 qualifying performances, 16 starts in the top four
positions and a stellar 3.1 average starting position.

 

One Year Ago:  Warren qualified sixth with a 6.748-second, 204.23 mph
pass, and advanced to the quarterfinals.

 

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.644 seconds, Sonoma, CA, 7/29/06

 

Career best top speed:  207.88 mph, Englishtown, NJ, 6/16/06

 

Event Schedule:

Friday, September 29:            Two qualifying sessions at 1:00 & 4:00
p.m.

Saturday, September 30:        Two qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m. &
2:00 p.m.

            Sunday, October 1:                 Pre-race ceremonies
starting at 10:00 a.m.

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

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, September 30:    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, October 1:      7:00  - 10:00 p.m.

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, October 1:      12:30  - 1:00 p.m.

 

 

 (All times Eastern.  Please check your local listings for exact
broadcast times in your area.)  

 

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