NHRA Warren Johnson Qualifying Wrap Up: WJ uses Track Record E.T. & Speed to Qualify No. 1 in Bristol

Contact:  Jon Knapp   

TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

 Ph: (704) 662-3121

jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

WJ uses Track Record E.T. & Speed to Qualify No. 1 in Bristol  

 

Event:  Eighth Annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Day/Date: May 17, 2008

Location:  Bristol Dragway, Bristol, TN

 

On the strength of a 6.674-second, 207.43 mph pass made on his third
attempt, GM Performance Parts GXP racer Warren Johnson captured the No.
1 qualifying position for Sunday's final eliminations of the O'Reilly
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN.   It was Johnson's second
No. 1 qualifying performance of the season, second at Bristol Dragway
and 138th of his Hall of Fame career, which is the most by any
professional competitor in the POWERade Drag Racing Series.  

 

Ironically, Johnson edged out his son Kurt for the No. 1 spot, marking
the 36th time (and second time this season) the father and son duo have
earned the top two positions.

 

"From top to bottom and front to back, it's really a team effort, and
whether I'm qualified No. 1 or Kurt is winning a race as he did two
weeks ago, it's just a great feeling.  In either case, it's really
fulfilling to see all the work by our GM Performance Parts and ACDelco
crews, as well as the guys back at the shop pay off.  

 

"Looking at the conditions this morning, we predicted we could run a
6.68 out, and felt if we could get the early part of the racetrack
figured out, it could even be quicker.   It was actually one of our GM
Performance Parts GXP's better runs early on, although nowhere near the
top of the page, but we made up a lot in the back half with that booming
top speed.  Even so, I'd have to say that '.67 was somewhat of a
pleasant surprise.   

 

"For the afternoon session, we were confident there wouldn't be any
major changes in the starting line-up, so we used it to try some
different in our tune-up, putting some extra information in our arsenal.
Even though it was the second quickest in the session, what really
matters is that we learned something from it.  As for tomorrow, we'll
have to see what Mother Nature gives us, and make the best of it.  I'd
say we have a fair chance of doing pretty well. It's all a matter of
execution."

 

 

Fast Facts on WJ's No. 1 qualifying effort:

 

*	This is Warren Johnson's 138th No. 1 qualifying performance (the
most in NHRA history), second of the 2008 season, and second at Bristol
Dragway.

 

*	WJ's most recent No. 1 qualifying performance came at this
year's ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL.

 

*	WJ's prior No. 1 qualifying performance in Bristol came in 2003.

 

*	This is the 36th time Warren and Kurt have qualified 1 & 2 in
their career and second time they have done so this season, with Warren
being the No. 1 qualifier 27 of the 36 times.

 

*	The most recent time WJ & KJ qualified 1 & 2 was at this year's
ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL.

 

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