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Sugar Hill, Ga., February 20, 2008 – This weekend, the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing Series will head to the desert for their second race of the season, the CSK Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. A quick review of this event’s 24-year history reveals that GM Performance Parts Pontiac racer Warren Johnson has been a part of all previous editions. During that time, he has logged an impressive record, with his three national event wins tying him with his son Kurt for the most by an active Pro Stock competitor.
However, the relationship between Johnson and the challenging Arizona quarter-mile has not always been the best, as for many years, it was the lone holdout on the drag racing circuit where the six-time champion seemingly could not win. Fortunately, The Professor persevered, adding the venerable track to his lengthy list of successes ten years ago.
“For the longest time, Firebird Raceway was the one track where a win just seemed to escape me,” said Johnson. “It certainly wasn’t for lack of effort or preparation on any ones’ part. We had our share of successes, qualifying well and reaching a few finals, but each time something unusual would happen to stop us from sealing the deal.
“But we never gave up, and finally, on my 14th try in 1998 that I was able to get that gorilla off my back. We’ve gotten back to the winner’s circle twice since then with our GM Performance Parts Pontiac, most recently in 2006, but I still consider that place somewhat of a thorn in my side. This weekend, however, we’re looking to pluck that thorn and take home our fourth Phoenix win.”
Johnson arrives in Arizona looking to build off his solid start at the NHRA season-opener. With the debut of his new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP scheduled for the next race, this will be WJ’s final national event with his trusted GTO Pro Stocker. As such, one would think he would be compelled to give this classic nameplate a fitting sendoff. However, having steadfastly claimed to never ascribe any emotion to his mounts over the years, his primary motivation this weekend will once again come from his unwavering commitment to competitive excellence.
“From our showing in Pomona, we seem to have made some progress in the off-season, because we’re closer to the front than we were before,” said Johnson. “In fact, we’re probably more optimistic than we’ve been in the last couple years. Everyone has been working very hard back at the shop and we have some exciting things coming up that we feel should help us even more, including the debut of our new GM Performance Parts GXP in Gainesville.
“However, as we saw two weeks ago, this GM PP GTO has shown it still has a few moves left in it, and we’re looking to put them to good use this weekend. After all, it’s about time we made a return trip to the winner’s circle, and, in many ways, it would be most appropriate if we did so in Phoenix.”
Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team By the Numbers – CSK Nationals edition:
3 - WJ Wins at Firebird Raceway in seven final round appearances, which is tied with his son Kurt for the most by an active Pro Stock driver.
3.087 – Average starting position by WJ in 23 Firebird Raceway starts
6 – No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Arizona, including five consecutive years from 1995 – 1999.
12 - Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by WJ in his previous 23 Firebird starts.
22 – Top half starts by WJ in Arizona.
41 – a) Total elimination round wins by WJ in Arizona, versus 20 losses, for a .672 win percentage.
b) Different drivers WJ has faced at Firebird in his career.
1985 – First year WJ raced at Firebird Raceway, when he qualified fourth and advanced to the semifinals.
2006 – WJ’s most recent Firebird win, when he qualified 11th and defeated V. Gaines, Jason Line, Rickie Smith and Greg Anderson en route to his 96th career win.
Event Schedule:
Friday, February 22 – Two qualifying sessions at 1:30 & 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 23 - Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 24 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by The first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Sunday, February 24 – 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, February 24 - 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, February 24 – 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Wednesday, February 27- 3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
NHRA RaceDay: Sunday, February 24 - 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)
WJ Determined to Rise to the Top in Phoenix
GM Performance Parts Team Aims to Give GTO a Winning Sendoff
Sugar Hill, Ga., February 20, 2008 – This weekend, the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing Series will head to the desert for their second race of the season, the CSK Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. A quick review of this event’s 24-year history reveals that GM Performance Parts Pontiac racer Warren Johnson has been a part of all previous editions. During that time, he has logged an impressive record, with his three national event wins tying him with his son Kurt for the most by an active Pro Stock competitor.
However, the relationship between Johnson and the challenging Arizona quarter-mile has not always been the best, as for many years, it was the lone holdout on the drag racing circuit where the six-time champion seemingly could not win. Fortunately, The Professor persevered, adding the venerable track to his lengthy list of successes ten years ago.
“For the longest time, Firebird Raceway was the one track where a win just seemed to escape me,” said Johnson. “It certainly wasn’t for lack of effort or preparation on any ones’ part. We had our share of successes, qualifying well and reaching a few finals, but each time something unusual would happen to stop us from sealing the deal.
“But we never gave up, and finally, on my 14th try in 1998 that I was able to get that gorilla off my back. We’ve gotten back to the winner’s circle twice since then with our GM Performance Parts Pontiac, most recently in 2006, but I still consider that place somewhat of a thorn in my side. This weekend, however, we’re looking to pluck that thorn and take home our fourth Phoenix win.”
Johnson arrives in Arizona looking to build off his solid start at the NHRA season-opener. With the debut of his new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP scheduled for the next race, this will be WJ’s final national event with his trusted GTO Pro Stocker. As such, one would think he would be compelled to give this classic nameplate a fitting sendoff. However, having steadfastly claimed to never ascribe any emotion to his mounts over the years, his primary motivation this weekend will once again come from his unwavering commitment to competitive excellence.
“From our showing in Pomona, we seem to have made some progress in the off-season, because we’re closer to the front than we were before,” said Johnson. “In fact, we’re probably more optimistic than we’ve been in the last couple years. Everyone has been working very hard back at the shop and we have some exciting things coming up that we feel should help us even more, including the debut of our new GM Performance Parts GXP in Gainesville.
“However, as we saw two weeks ago, this GM PP GTO has shown it still has a few moves left in it, and we’re looking to put them to good use this weekend. After all, it’s about time we made a return trip to the winner’s circle, and, in many ways, it would be most appropriate if we did so in Phoenix.”
Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team By the Numbers – CSK Nationals edition:
3 - WJ Wins at Firebird Raceway in seven final round appearances, which is tied with his son Kurt for the most by an active Pro Stock driver.
3.087 – Average starting position by WJ in 23 Firebird Raceway starts
6 – No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Arizona, including five consecutive years from 1995 – 1999.
12 - Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by WJ in his previous 23 Firebird starts.
22 – Top half starts by WJ in Arizona.
41 – a) Total elimination round wins by WJ in Arizona, versus 20 losses, for a .672 win percentage.
b) Different drivers WJ has faced at Firebird in his career.
1985 – First year WJ raced at Firebird Raceway, when he qualified fourth and advanced to the semifinals.
2006 – WJ’s most recent Firebird win, when he qualified 11th and defeated V. Gaines, Jason Line, Rickie Smith and Greg Anderson en route to his 96th career win.
Event Schedule:
Friday, February 22 – Two qualifying sessions at 1:30 & 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 23 - Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 24 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by The first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Sunday, February 24 – 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, February 24 - 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, February 24 – 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Wednesday, February 27- 3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
NHRA RaceDay: Sunday, February 24 - 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)
