NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: WJ Looks to Cap a Hectic
Week with Pomona Win
Contact:
Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
(704) 662-3121
jgknapp@tmgsports.net
WJ Looks to Cap a Hectic Week with Pomona Win
The Professor GM Performance Parts GTO
Sugar Hill, Ga., November 1, 2007 - A review of Hall of Fame racer
Warren Johnson's week prior to the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona
Raceway reveals a microcosm of a professional drag racer's life. Taking
full advantage of the three short days between the conclusion of last
weekend's ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals and the first day of qualifying in
Pomona, The Professor first spent a full day testing his GM Performance
Parts Pontiac GTO, part of his never-ending search for speed.
Having gathered information that will be used this weekend and beyond,
Johnson then turned his attention to other duties, which included
numerous appearances as part of this year's SEMA (Specialty Equipment
Manufacturers' Association) show, before making the four-hour drive from
Las Vegas to California.
However, any distractions will immediately disappear once WJ arrives at
the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. With one final opportunity to take
home his 97th national event win in 2007, all research and development
will take a back seat once qualifying begins on Thursday.
"Although we are certainly ready to start working on next year, we
couldn't get the machine shop in the trailer, so I could only work on
things conceptually," quipped Johnson. "Once we get back to the shop,
however, they had better have the machines lubed up, because the chips
are going to fly.
"But make no mistake, winning this weekend's race in Pomona remains our
top priority. The track in Pomona offers a unique challenge, in that it
goes sixteen feet downhill from one end to the other. However, as far
as setting the car up, we will have to wait until we get to California
to see what we actually have to deal with. Based on what we learned
about our GM Performance Parts GTO during our test session this past
Monday in Las Vegas, we feel pretty optimistic about our chances. We
have one final opportunity for this year, and we're determined to take
full advantage of it."
Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team
By the Numbers - Auto Club NHRA Finals edition:
4.16- Average starting position for Warren at Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona
9 - Warren Johnson wins in Pomona, including four at the NHRA Finals.
12 - No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ at the Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona, with seven of those coming in the Finals.
17 - Career final round appearances by Warren Johnson in Pomona, with
six coming at the NHRA season-ender.
31 - Semifinal or better finishes by The Professor in Pomona
45 - Top half starts by WJ at Pomona out of 49 total.
6.587 - WJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded earlier this
year in Gainesville, FL
26 - Consecutive seasons in which Warren Johnson has made at least one
final round appearance, dating back to 1982.
52 - NHRA Pro Stock appearances by Warren Johnson in Pomona coming into
this race, dating back to 1976, where WJ qualified second and advanced
to the quarterfinals.
97 - NHRA Pro Stock elimination round wins by WJ in Pomona, versus 39
losses for a .713 win percentage.
209.69 - WJ's career best top speed, set earlier this year in
Gainesville, FL
Event Schedule:
Thursday, November 1: Single qualifying session at
1:30 p.m.
Friday, November 2: Single qualifying session at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 3: Two qualifying sessions at
11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 4: Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage:
Qualifying:
Saturday, November 3: 10:00 p.m. -
12:00 midnight
Eliminations:
Sunday, November 4: 7:00 - 10:30
p.m.
NHRA RaceDay:
Sunday, November 4: 11:00 - 11:30
a.m.
(All times Eastern - please check you local listings as times are
subject to change.)
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