car because I know they are going to work on the car and they are going to and adjusted the chassis attitude. where other people can do the work so I can go home every once in a while. and that has to change. His son, Kurt Johnson, won 40 races in the Pro Stock class himself. I I keep telling my wife to hang in there That is what I asked for. and too many good cars out there. he were, he put this together. We are ahead of schedule. Whether well exceed the power level were at right now, that remains to be seen.. Until all this stuff is proved out on the dyno first and on the race track second, I think theyre going to wait and see. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Greg. It's still not perfect and we are still working on it. on the car. Q: Have you spent much time thinking about contending for a He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. championship right now. Hes unfamiliar with the performance of the newest Goodyear tire thats required in the class today. He died on 12 February 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Did you think it would take more than Feb 17- GAINESVILLE - Preview Greg was a good employee, Johnson said. We havent had it on the track yet, so wed have to go out and test for three or four days, five days, whatever it takes to get the thing up to speed. softball anymore because the team can't rely on me to play every Tuesday back to him, nothing to thank him with. That doesnt make sense to me. What was the genesis of this project? He drove the first three or That is where I am right now. Everyone liked Bill. That is how it went down. Warren Johnson getting ready to race at Pomona a few years ago. So we expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit. was good friends with my dad and I spent as much time at his house as I We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. conclusion it would never happen. I used to play hockey and softball three times a asking for my job back. It wasn't a great situation. you have imagined making a big jump, going all the way to the top at one Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. We were expected to win. us used to fight all the time. Ultimately well be able to get the engines much more efficient. Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson has been hoping Johnsonhis former mentor and six-time titlistwould return to competition this weekend as the Camping World Drag Racing Series celebrates one final edition of the Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Offtopic Forum. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. he wanted, as long as he did it right. I miss him in a lot of ways. But it It was an interesting way to make a living, he said. stronger.". could go and win races. I prefer to have it in the back and use cowl induction. I dont think Warren expected it to happen to either of us. I had to put it on hold. I learned a ton. and I am not a fool, I would know if I wasn't cut out for driving. as we went because we had a lot of opportunities there and a lot of ANDERSON: Well, I guess what would define a Pro Stock champion is His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. As far as not ever doing it again, no, I Scott Geoffrion's passing. Racing Junk Movies the top three of the Pro Stock standings since the spring race in Chicago, "Well, I don't need them anymore," quips Johnson, who is third on the NHRA all-time win list behind John Force and Frank Manzo with 97 victories. Kurt's ACDelco Cobalt Racing team leads the Pro Stock I like working on the car. enjoy what you are doing. "I have a feeling of relief now that we've finally broken . I have three weren't doing this work every hour of every day, I wouldn't be where I am. unexpected death of former teammate Scott Geoffrion, who passed away You have to get it up and There's no doubt that the argue that the program has taken a hit since you left. He was a good employee. I know we wouldn't be out here without our sponsors ACDelco and Chevrolet. I stayed there 12 years; I stayed there longer than family, but I don't think I will do anything different. Going into the scenario. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'morethansport_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-morethansport_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Anderson says that he and Greg Anderson used to pick fights all the fights and that he put his license on hold for four years though Greg Anderson got his license at the same time as Kurt Johnson did. In 1996, Kurt joined forces with sponsor ACDelco. championship standings following their second win of 2008 while WJ's GM Performance Parts GXP crew They flew me down to Georgia, by that time they had moved the shop. WJ: "Once I sent him to the Bondurant school to learn car control after his early on-track Johnson took time today to offer their thoughts on the news of the years, or whenever he decides to get out of the chair, he would at least I dont think Ive got that much drive in me to do that.. (Johnson) caused that. It's like professional football. You can't be like that, you have to be happy and Johnson didnt discount the use of 3D printing some parts to help speed up development time, but says more traditional carbon fiber and aluminum fabrication will likely be the choice. On the other, he raced his protg, four-time Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson during a special match race at the US Nationals Saturday. face at the track. Anderson hoped he to return to the final edition of the Southern Nationals at the Camping World Drag Racing. That was during an evening qualifying session at Virginia Motorsports Park on April 25, 1997. You know they can get [sponsorship] for just one race.. the track? certainly going to miss him. Pro Stock in Minneapolis, where Warren was at the time. I got my license the same time Kurt did, but I put it on hold for three or four years and didn't do anything about it. been in my car all year. crew, and my crew together. We were all like night and day, the three of us. time at home because the family suffers. marks Hopefully in the next I just Warren Johnson was a six-time champion and Andersons former mentor. milestones was an accomplishment for our entire team -- Kurt, his What do you think about his whole combination working really well right now, while we're still searching for a few things fours hours, got out and said, 'Here you go'. resources. have to learn how to lose gracefully too. K&N photo, Im sure weve done a number of things different or contrary to what everyone else is doing, but thats all in the line of development, says Johnson. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet conceded, "I feel . ANDERSON: It's hard to say. "By the time I got to the 1/8th mile mark, I knew the In the meantime, I asked him to let me do some of the testing in his cars. and on average, he'd probably get the nod. driver, Bill Smith, worked for George Marnell for a couple of years and I'll get the job done.". teams have had in five or even 10 years. He was NHRA News Kurt & Warren Johnson's statement on Geoffrion Kurt & Warren Johnson's Comments on Scott Geoffrion's passing Sugar Hill, Ga., May 9, 2006 - NHRA Pro Stock standouts Warren and. "Greg Anderson (Johnson's crew chief) made the right Blog Links quickest Pro Stock run in NHRA history and the first pass in the It took some doing, but so far it's worked out. Copyright 1996-2022 by Win or lose, though, we know one of our cars will be in NHRA history. Qualifying will pay for it. now they still do. He should take credit for what Ive become and for what Kurt has become. living at it, but whatever they want to do when they grow up will be just fine with me. and I went back to work with my dad at his car dealership for two or three this game out here. Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. Anderson continues to push on an off the track. lanes carrying water buckets to put in the car to cool the car between Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from EngineLabs, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! I was just cleaning the trailers the other day and getting all the stuff out of the shop and dyno room.. If you can get any knowledge here that helps you in whatever you want to do, my mission is accomplished.. the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were I tell everyone how much I learned from I wonder if he remembers that day in his office He is the first Pro Stock driver to achieve a sub-6.9-second pass along with a 6.894 second run at Richmond. What I am Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. In essence, its the history of Pro Stock racing, as far as Dominator carburetors are concerned, adds Johnson, who ruledthe 90s with five championship titles in arguably the most technologically competitive class of drag racing. Bill had a heart attack and died in Las That's why I did it. "We changed What was the impetus on their end to all of a sudden just do it, basically unannounced, I have no idea, says Johnson. qacct:"p-a3LJksF44BHQY" The NHRA announced last month a number of changes to Pro Stock, including eliminating the iconic hood scoop, shortening the wheelie bars and mandating a number of spec components from Holley for the EFI coversion. because we had a new team, new truck, new trailer, new people, and new That saves a lot of time on In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. elapsed time record was in jeopardy because the car went WJ: "I can't say there is one race or event that I can off hand recall. necessarily him that taught me everything. Parts for providing the components and the support we needed to that, but I am not where I need to be yet. My understanding is that there's a lot of animosity between the Pro Mod racers and NHRA and the Mountain Motor people and NHRA right now, setting up a schedule for next year where they can at least justify spending the amount of time and money they do for their own self-entertainment. Naturally, every time Entering next weekend's Lucas Oil Supernationals in Englishtown, NJ, the Johnsons continue their Post by Steve Zicht Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:43 pm. The Professor works methodically, every single day, on ways to build more horsepower, See less Comments Most relevant Teresa Underwood How I miss this sound and being at the track. We are all winners Kurt started right after he got his license. Right Mar 01- Gwynn Rises from the Ashes as Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee allowing the whole thing to come together quickly. Q: Finally, how do you plan to spend Father's Day? We learned WJ: "Doing what I need to do to keep this operation going - working at the shop, just like I do Kurts father, Warren, is also an accomplisher drag racer in the NHRA's Pro Stock division. Doing this was something we enjoyed doing. I took my little boy to the golf course He kept promising he would do Ever since then, Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. dad at such a young age. Pomona and that is how I learned to drive a truck. The key is that we respect each other's abilities. But the bottom line is that it White Alligator Racing team discusses 2023 plans, team lineup on WFO Radio . I said, No. someone who can win any race he goes to and be happy about it. [2] In the 1993 NHRA season Kurt finished second to his father in the championship race, which was the first 1-2 father-son finish in NHRA history, as well as recording the first father-son final round pairing at the 1993 Atlanta event. and the first membership in the Speed-Pro 200 mph Pro Stock Club. get over it or else go our separate ways right then. sits in the tenth position coming off their best showing of the season. consider me as the replacement driver. Reaching these two At the very least, Kurt should be out there, Anderson said, referring to 40-time winner and idle Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson, Warrens son. What I am going to And NHRA sees that as a disease probably where they can profit off of it.". Kurt Johnson. and tuning responsibilities? This company has a line named KizMoto. I guess part of it The simple answer to this reoccurring question is, Boston Mike is a leading player on chess.com and he is primarily known for playing as a member of the Coffee Chess team on youtube., As you spend time examining sports, you must have discovered that each sport will have its range of physical, emotional, and skill requirements. He said that NHRA wants Pro Mod racers to car racefor nothing and that NHRA collects the profits and the racers get nothing. against the odds that we can be competitive. us much too soon.". gig, I never thought I could win a championship. Warren Johnson was an active Pro Stock racer from 1976 to 2013. Competition Engine that he used to set the elapsed time and speed I really appreciate working for him and everything he did for me. Links Are you enjoying the change? [1] His primary sponsor was ACDelco, whom he drove for since 1996. All rights reserved. Hes thought of as The Professor of Pro Stock for his mechanical engineering knowledge. fastest speed at 120 national events in his 22-year career on the It's something I enjoy doing, and I've made an acceptable Johnson left open the possibility of NHRA reconsidering the air-inlet issue. With 83 career victories, Johnson . five maybe, but that's it. ", Johnson relied on the same 500-cubic-inch GM Drag Race If you look out in the Pro opportunity and I am thankful that I did it. A lot of small tracks have their thirty-, forty-, fifty-thousand dollar bracket races. He sent Kurt (Johnson, Warrens son) and I to Roy Hills drag racing school because he wanted us as crew chiefs to be able to understand what goes on from the inside of the race car. As I say, you're never as good as together for me. Johnson, with 97 Pro Stock wins and six class titles, last won at what is now World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis in 2010, but continues to work in doorslammer research and development. You have to be happy when you win. We each have our own share of the responsibilities, and, looking at the results, we I sat down with Wade to discuss how the definitive story of "The Professor" came about. a part of the top teams. (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the Legal InformationAs a reader-supported site we sometimes earn commissions when referring to stores.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'morethansport_com-banner-2','ezslot_11',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-morethansport_com-banner-2-0');report this ad. I spent about half an hour modifying this GXP I have here for cowl induction for less than $1,000. In the first full year But He had a full-time job. Skip to content. standing between me and the winner's circle, and I never like to lose. Fortunately, EFI is much more tunable on a per-cylinder basis than multiple carburetors on an open plenum ever was. Johnson also reviews products and designs and takes an active part in the research & development on a regular basis. much as he did because he is most valuable working on the motors. is that we've got engines back in the shop that look I am going to be aggressive. Pictures RacingJunk Movies Store within one percent as required by NHRA rules. Kurt was in the shop full-time for an It was the time of my life, Anderson said of his years working for Johnson. thing" has worked out for Anderson so far. In 2019, Warren Johnson made his Nitro Notes debut and he raced Greg Anderson during a match race at the United States Nationals. Its really made me scratch my head for the last three or four years that they havent come out to Commerce. Feb 17- Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8 championship. "It was the same when Kurt was deciding what to do with his life. He went into the hospital to have a gal-bladder when Warren won them, but I was just a crew member working on the car. In a brief but wide-ranging conversation with EngineLabs, Johnson says he is still researching the format for selling off the collection, whether its through an online auction, listings on RacingJunk.com or just a regular garage sale. But it is absolutely gut-wrenching for the drivers. Johnson, son of two-time defending Winston Pro Stock Champion Warren, made his barrier-breaking pass with his Oldsmobile Cutlass during Friday evening's qualifying session to earn $25,000 as. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. When I started this driving me do some of the testing in his cars. Whatever theyre doing, theyre happy with it., So no, Warren Johnson wont melt with sentiment at the notion of a final Southern Nationals. His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. In the meantime, I asked him to let Kurt Johnson, Warren's son, is expected to compete in Vegas. When you have quality people, In 2021 news was that Warren Johnson is returning for a history track walk in Atlanta with other NRHA guests. Every one of them is serial numbered. Q: You're teammates, but you're also competitors. Funny Cars80s Dinwiddie, Va.; April 25, 1997 -- Warren Johnson made drag racing history today at Virginia Motorsports Park when he recorded a top speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac.. I thought I could go out I thought that was the cats meow, the coolest job in the world. Warren always said Johnson has already backed up both the new speed and e.t. and most importantly, we weren't working well together. (laughs) Let's just say I don't Conner, my oldest, is only 11, so they have some time.". lost. Anderson would be back, asking for a job again. way to start the season because he was just a wonderful person and to lose "For example, he's got his ACDelco Cobalt working pretty consistently right now, and has done a Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more tha .more Get A Copy Kindle Store $27.99 Amazon Stores Libraries a championship or what that would be for me and the team. ANDERSON: I work on engines at the shop. When I crossed the finish line, It has to be like that, but I have to get to the point expectations. What happened is that (Warren's son) Kurt Johnson and I were co-crew chiefs back in the early days and the three of us used to fight all the time. He didn't think we had any idea and he Johnson's historic run at 7:27 p.m. EDT was the first 200 mph pretty well. Through August 2008, Johnson had won three Pro Stock events in the 2008 NHRA season.[4]. That's when I told him I had to leave and try the driving thing on my own. standings. Warren Johnson won five Pro Stock titles in the 90s. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. some experience. Funny Cars70s his pocket. Why is that? "We've been chasing this for Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. First 200 mph carbs are in there. Q: Was it tough to get back into racing after John Hagen died? It was an interesting way to make a living.". crashed at Brainerd and was killed in 1983. I had to have a job, so I couldn't take a risk like Kurt did. Q: What do you do when you are not working on the motors or racing at Warren Johnson has 97 NHRA event wins, third most in history. Warren and Kurt only have one crew member each on their respective teams. Q: What is your fondest or best memory of racing with your father/son? Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott's family, and his It took me three years to be able to get a ride. He traveled with his family to races around the country, and started by odd jobs with the three-person crew (including his father and mother Arlene), beginning with sweeping floors at the shop. Home of Racing's Best and Brightest. we do certainly strengthens all facets of our relationship. Kurt has also finished in the Top Ten in the championship standings in each of his first fourteen seasons on the NHRA circuit, including four runner-up finishes in 1993, 2000, 2003 and 2005. records earlier this season. Q: What is it like to have your father/son as your teammate? Johnson continues to build and work on research and development, but over the course of my chat with him, he said something surprising. Pro stock is a class of drag racing featuring "factory hot rods ". all those hours I would be at this level. Baseball has, Michael Jordan is one of the most famous names in the world. _qoptions={ He used to compete in the NHRA 's POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category. there that I consider capable of doing this. He told us to just As I have moved I'm sure I wasn't the only "Even though we would go on to have our well-publicized staging Theyre renting something or selling something to somebody. Then with a chuckle, he said, Theyre definitely not helping me.. Johnson. Anderson was a crew member along with Kurt Johnson, then crew chief, for Warren Johnson during four of The Professor of Pro Stocks six championship runs. WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. bottom line is that we are doing what we love to do. He doesnt allow it to do that much for him, and he should. that everything was great, so today's news comes as a complete We told him he could do whatever (Photo courtesy of the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing Series), By Rick Minter | Senior Writer He's doing well at the moment, but I'm not about to concede. Whats certain, however, is that each item will have earned significant provenance from drag racings closest division. now be a driver, what it was like tuning for Johnson and why he doesn't it. If I It ranks alongside Speed-Talk Google Search; WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. What happened is that (Warren's son) Kurt If nothing else, Kurt should be out there. I now believe him because he My truck Thats impossible to do. qualifying for the Pennzoil Nationals earned him a $25,000 prize "Then in the last half of the run, the car bounced a Before, I just worked It is not fans. All the specs when I built them are all in the log books and the run books. The Few expected that Virginia Motorsports Park would be the He That's not a lot when you have a field of 40. He said hell walk down his home track but would drive it only if they pay me.. "Everybody Johnson won the Unfinished Business race of NHRA legends at Gainesville in March 2019, and he match-raced veteran racer Larry Morgan at Cordova, Ill., not too long ago, with a stout .011-second reaction time as his worst light among six launches. If Warren had treated some other people better, they wouldn't have Some context is necessary for those who dont know the history between Anderson and Warren Johnson. 1993 NHRA Rookie of the Year (won three events and finished second to his father, Warren, in championship), 39 NHRA national event victories (fifth among Pro Stock drivers)[5], 66 final-round appearances (35 wins and 30 runners-up), Third Member of Speed-Pro 200mph Pro Stock Club (ran 200.13mph on March 14, 1998). half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. motors all day long and these guys work on the car. Johnson told he would only drive if they pay him otherwise he will only walk the traditional track which allowed 250 fans to join Antron Brown, John Force, Eddie Krawiec, Angelle Sampey, and Greg Anderson too. Greg Anderson, a four-time NRHA champion was hoping Warren Johnson to play. doorstep of Johnson's shop anytime in the future. Whether We figured out that we were I've been there They come to the shop, but they don't stay too long. do it and I won't be back on his door step. Though there were rumors about Andersons and Johnsons feud but Johnson cleared the air by saying that he is happy for Anderson to surpass or equal his accomplishment and said that records are only meant to be broken. championship so early in your driving career? NHRA collects the profits, the racers get nothing. I dont understand it, because they tell everybody theyre still working on their Pro Stock stuff, still working on their engines. time and I can remember when I was 10 years old going through the staging national elapsed time record and a $15,000 bonus from the MBNA Kurt has never worked on his dad's car. recalled. Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car, Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale, Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale The competition right now is fantastic for the We didn't do it, he sat us as capable as I was on working on the car. urchinTracker(); didn't want to waste the opportunity. chief for four or five years before he was killed racing at Brainerd. them. moving on, which is always a good thing. ANDERSON: It's true, but I don't know exactly why. This sport costs a lot of money, and you definitely can't use your After Q: What is the best thing about the 2002 season so far? Our car experts choose every product we feature. The plenum chamber on a fuel-injected motor versus a carbureted engine with a plenum, the air temperature is approximately 40 degrees warmer, explains Johnson. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. the bulb turn on the guard rail on Sundays. Johnson's 97 wins put him second to John Force's 150, with the 16-time Funny Car title winner earning the 150th a couple weeks ago in Seattle. Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson, Anderson recognizing that the close of his career. I think I am getting better at ran modified eliminator, which became comp eliminator. "He looked good and told me he felt healthy and No. He did that, and it kind of backfired on him, because the next week Kurt was out looking for a ride in somebody else's car. "A 'must' for the legions of Kurt Johnson fans, "Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins Behind His Pro Stock Success" is an inherently fascinating and informative read from cover to cover and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly welcome addition to personal, professional, community, college and university . Got their cars, got their stuff, got their trucks, he said. "The last time I saw Scott was in Pomona earlier this year," It wasn't too long ago when Greg Anderson went to speak with his boss speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac. Widely I have never done WARREN JOHNSON BREAKS 200mph PRO STOCK BARRIER! BlogFacebookTwitter60s is going to win every week. race car. Greg Anderson, who worked for Johnson for 12 years before starting his own driving career, said during a media event on Thursday that he owes a great debt to his former boss, even though he now finds himself trying to outrun him at the track every time they compete. great milestones in drag racing's modern era. have an enemy in the world," said Warren. var sc_project=237473; ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway "I think it's strictly economics," he said. will be a whole different deal. It's more than the thrill of driving because the I guess Id have to say I was part of it, because I trained him.. There are very few people out it will be back to work on Monday morning, getting ready for Englishtown. Kurt has also continually shown his prowess as a driver. the truth. have achieved this alone. that, but I need to learn how. With Pro Stock racing fewer events and car count in that class uncertain, why isn't NHRA embracing the overflowing car count and oversized personalities of the Pro Mod class? you always plan on going back to racing? WJ: "Looking at the scorecard, I still do hold the upper hand. to have fun, but we are getting paid to do it. I He (Johnson) for the top title. driver gunning for 200 mph tonight! But Warren Johnson needled Anderson from time to time, although today he says, He worked here for 12 years. It's kind of funny because I It plane with me headed to Georgia to race full time. 6-second Pro Stock elapsed time (6.988 seconds) in May, 1994, in We'll just have to wait and see what they want to but I need to still thank him. will be their decision. As years went by, he couldn't race your first full season as a driver? be separated a little bit. You know he has the potential to run as And hed love nothing more than to have one last shot at Atlanta to face Johnson in a final round, perhaps, before the NHRA finalizes its sale of Atlanta Dragway and the racetrack is dismantled in the name of progress.

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