Warren Johnson Elected to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

Warren Johnson Elected to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame

GM Performance Parts GTO pilot only sixth drag racer to receive
prestigious honor 

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., November 8, 2006 - Throughout his illustrious 36-year
Pro Stock career, Warren Johnson has become the standard by which all
competitors are measured.   With a record of success spanning four
decades, the man whose tireless and studious approach to racing earned
him the moniker of "The Professor of Pro Stock" has systematically
rewritten the record books, helping to mold the category into the highly
popular and competitive division it is today.  

 

On Wednesday, Johnson's accomplishments were recognized by the
prestigious International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, AL, who
announced that the Minnesota native was one of six inductees elected to
their Class of 2007.  The formal induction ceremony will be held on
April 26, 2007, where Johnson will be joined by classmates Junie
Donleavy, Jack Ingram, Bruton Smith, Wayne Rainey and Ray Hendrick.

 

Although Johnson, 63, is still competing on a full-time basis as the
owner and driver of the GM Performance Parts Pontiac GTO in the NHRA's
POWERade Drag Racing Series, he was eligible for induction under the
unique "Over 62" rule, which waives the five-year waiting period for
anyone still competing after the age of 62.

 

Johnson becomes only the seventh member of the drag racing community to
receive this honor, joining Wally Parks, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Don
"The Snake" Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Joe Amato and Bob Glidden.  

 

"When I looked at some the distinguished names on the list of the 20
finalists, I pretty much dismissed my chances of being included in the
final cut," admitted an elated Johnson afterwards.  "Therefore I was
rather amazed when I received the call last week from (retiring IMHOF
director) Jim Freeman letting me know that I was among the six
inductees.  

 

"Naturally, I have a lot of people and sponsors to thank for helping me
reach this point.   Whatever success I have enjoyed is strictly the
result of the quality of the people I have had working with me over the
years, as well as my long-term relationships with such great companies
as General Motors and GM Performance Parts.

 

"To have my name listed alongside such racing legends as Bruton Smith,
Jack Ingram, Junie Donleavy, Ray Hendrick and Wayne Rainey is quite an
honor.   I want to express my deepest appreciation to every one involved
in the selection process, and especially my good friend Norm Froscher
for including me in the Class of 2007, and I look forward to thanking
them in person at the induction ceremony next April."  

 

Located in Talladega, Alabama adjacent to the Talladega Superspeedway,
the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHOF) was the brainchild of
William France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, and is dedicated to
enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as
a driver, owner, developer or engineer.  Welcoming its inaugural members
in 1990, the IMHOF is now comprised of 122 inductees from all countries
and racing disciplines.  For more information, please visit them online
at www.motorsportshalloffame.com.

 

Select Warren Johnson Career Highlights:

*	Six NHRA Pro Stock Championships (1992-93, 1995, 1998-99, 2001)
*	96 NHRA Pro Stock national event wins (the most in NHRA Pro
Stock history, 2nd among all NHRA Professional Categories)
*	149 NHRA Final Round Appearances (the most in NHRA Pro Stock
history, 2nd among all NHRA Professional Categories)
*	136 No. 1 qualifying performances (the most in NHRA Pro Stock
history)
*	139 Low Elapsed Time of the Event performances (most among all
NHRA drivers) 
*	206 Top Speed of the Event performances (most among all NHRA
drivers)
*	Has an active 25-year streak of earning a final-round appearance
at least once in a season
*	First driver in NHRA history to record top speed at every
national event (1999)
*	500 Career NHRA Pro Stock races - the first NHRA professional
competitor to reach this mark
*	First driver in NHRA Pro Stock history to record a 180, 190 &
200-mph top speed
*	Two IHRA Pro Stock Championships (1979-80)
*	13 IHRA National Event Wins
*	25 IHRA Final Round Appearances

 

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