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NHRA: Warren Johnson Runner-Up at Winternationals

6 February 2000

POMONA, Calif. - Warren Johnson kicked off his Silver Anniversary Season
and his defense of his Pro Stock championship with a surprising runner-up
finish at the NHRA AutoZone Winternationals. In a repeat of last year's
season finale at Pomona Raceway, Johnson lost to Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the
final round, 6.894/199.17 to 6.953/197.65.

    Johnson's prospects for a final-round appearance were far from
promising at the start of the day. He qualified 12th in the 16-car field
at 6.938/198.17, his poorest qualifying performance since the 1989
NorthStar Nationals. W.J. was running experimental Hoosier tires instead of
proven Goodyear rubber. Johnson also had a new crew working on his GM
Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac.

    "The outlook at the beginning of the day wasn't very favorable, but
we were fortunate enough to go the final," said Warren. "When you look at
the big picture, we're actually 20 points ahead of where we were at this
point last year. We know that this Hoosier tire program is going to come
along. I think after two or three races, we'll be in excellent shape. Our
new crew is certainly capable."

    Johnson upset No. 5 qualifier Bruce Allen on a holeshot in the
first round, outran highly regarded Richie Stevens in the second round, and
defeated George Marnell in the semi-finals.

    W.J.'s streak of 29 consecutive top speeds was snapped by Tom Martino,
the only Pro Stock driver who topped 200 mph this weekend. "I think we have
some electrical glitch because we know that the Hoosier tires don't produce
the same speeds as the Goodyears, but we're off more than we should be,"
Warren reported.

    Johnson will test extensively before the CSK Nationals in Phoenix
on February 24-27. "We completely reworked the white car we ran last year,
and I feel it will be superior to the car I used today," Warren predicted.
"We have plenty of work to do in the next three weeks!"

WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
Qualifying: Warren Johnson qualified No. 12 at 6.938/198.17 mph
Eliminations:
First Round: Warren Johnson (6.952/197.48) defeated Bruce Allen
(6.950/197.97)
Second Round: Warren Johnson (6.959/197.28) defeated Richie
Stevens (6.979/197.02)
Semi-Final: Warren Johnson (6.940/197.62) defeated George
Marnell (6.993/198.03)
Final Round: Jeg Coughlin, Jr. (6.894/199.17) defeated Warren
Johnson (6.953/197.65)

Low ET: Jim Yates, 6.878 seconds (event record)
Top Speed: Tom Martino, 200.14 mph

POINTS RACE:
(After 1 of 23 events)
Driver                Wins    Points
1. Jeg Coughlin, Jr.    1      117
2. Warren Johnson       0       92
3. Tom Martino          0       76
4. George Marnell       0       71
5. Kurt Johnson         0       53

NEXT RACE:
Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Nationals, February 24-27, Phoenix, Ariz.
TV: Speedvision - check local listings.