NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: Recent Tough Stretch has WJ Motivated to Break Out in Bristol

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

Recent Tough Stretch has WJ Motivated to Break Out in Bristol

Team preps GM Performance Parts GTO to step up in Thunder Valley

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., July 5, 2007 - As anyone who has ever participated
throughout the realm of sports will tell you, there comes a time in
one's career where things will simply not go according to plan.  From
the youngest Little Leaguer to the most experienced superstar, each one
has had to deal with not performing to their expectations.  In each
case, how the competitor has dealt with the down period is just as
important as their return to form.

 

For example, after opening with five top half qualifying performances
and a solid elimination round record that included a final round
appearance and a climb to fifth in the POWERade points standings during
the first seven races, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO
Racing team have battled to find their rhythm over the last few events.
Although some might find this uncharacteristic showing frustrating, the
six-time champion prefers instead to focus his energies on paying
attention to every detail in his racing program.  As the straight-line
set heads to Bristol, TN for this weekend's O'Reilly Thunder Valley
Nationals, he is determined to start heading in a positive direction.

 

"Our last few races have really brought out the drag in drag racing, but
we're not about to let it get us down," quipped Johnson.  "Certainly, it
would be easy to look at what we've done of late and get frustrated by
it, but being frustrated fixes nothing.  If anything, this experience
has made us even more motivated.  We're just going to work and fix
things.

 

"With so little time between races, we can't really make any major
changes to our GM Performance Parts GTO, but, fortunately, we not that
far off.   For example, last weekend, we were near the top of the page
during Saturday's qualifying sessions, but didn't move up because it was
so much hotter than the day before.  Then on Sunday, we had the wheelie
bars a little too high, so it shook the tires, which really didn't
matter because I was a couple thousandths too quick on the tree.  These
are the little things that add up. 

 

"On a positive note, they can also be easily fixed.   So, even though we
will be bringing the same ugly girl to the dance again this weekend, I
think we have a few things up our sleeve that may just make her a little
more attractive this time out."

 

Under normal circumstances, Johnson could look forward to racing on a
familiar track on which he has experienced success, having participated
in each of the six previous NHRA national event visits to Bristol
Dragway, winning twice, as well as scoring six wins in IHRA competition
during the 70's & 80's.   However, the first 700 feet of concrete will
be completely new and untested prior to this weekend, creating an
unknown quantity for all involved.  

 

"Although we've been successful on numerous occasions in the past at
Bristol, this time we are facing a complete unknown," said Johnson.
"Since they didn't even start putting rubber down until a few days ago,
we'll have no idea until we get there as to what kind of set-up we'll
need to get down it.  Fortunately, between myself, (son) Kurt and Terry
(crew chief Adams), we have a lot of experience on all sorts of tracks,
so together I'm confident we'll come up with a solid game plan.  

 

"Besides, Bristol Dragway is one of Bruton Smith's tracks, so we know
Jeff Byrd (president of Bristol Dragway) and his staff will do
everything possible to give us a good track to race on.  In the
meantime, we have to do whatever's necessary to get pointed back in the
right direction.  I guess you could say that lately, we've only been
circling the target, so now it's time to hit the bullseye." 

 

Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team 

By the Numbers - O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals edition:

 

1 - No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Thunder Valley, which
occurred in 2003.

 

2 - Wins by Warren Johnson at Bristol Dragway in NHRA competition,
coming in 2002 & 2005, and is tied for the most by any Pro Stock
competitor

 

4.33 - Warren's average starting position in his six previous races at
Bristol Dragway.

 

5 - Top half starts by WJ in his six Bristol starts.

 

6 - Bristol Dragway Pro Stock wins by Warren Johnson during the auspices
of the IHRA, coming in 1979-1981, as well as 1988 (twice) & 1989.

 

6.587 - WJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in
Gainesville, FL

 

10 - NHRA Pro Stock elimination round wins by WJ in Bristol, versus 4
losses for a .714 win percentage.

 

26 - Consecutive seasons in which Warren Johnson has made at least one
final round appearance, dating back to 1982.

 

209.69 - WJ's career best top speed, set in Gainesville, FL

 

Event Schedule:

            Friday, July 6:     Two qualifying sessions at 5:00 & 7:30
p.m.

            Saturday, July 7:            Two qualifying sessions at
12:30  & 3:00 p.m.

            Sunday, July 8:                Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 11:00 a.m.

                                                    First Round of
Eliminations at 12:00 noon

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, July 7:            4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, July 8:              9:30 p.m. - 12:30
a.m.

            NHRA RaceDay:

                        Sunday, July 8:               11:00  - 11:30 a.m

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