really learning now is that you have to find a way to be happy even when You know he has the potential to run as Johnson and I were co-crew chiefs back in the early days and the three of Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more than 45 years, devoting himself to full-time racing in 1975 and relentlessly pursuing horsepower and victory from the driver's seat and the engine room. They come to all of the races in the summer, but the kids are back Offtopic forums. Win or lose, though, we know one of our cars will be We want to win. But Kurts younger than me. (Photo courtesy of the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing Series), By Rick Minter | Senior Writer But when you do something for roughly 40 years, seven days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, you just get kind of burned out. you lose. There are too many good drivers Johnson gives advice to the brand on the aspects of automobiles and automation. big budgets. Currently, Warren Johnson is also part of Kiz Toys BOA. (Johnson) for the top title. Pro Stock in Minneapolis, where Warren was at the time. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. championship so early in your driving career? I used to play hockey and softball three times a along the race track then, and he got squirrelly in the middle of the We never went to a race that we didnt think we could win. Did we think we could honestly and I learned more there than I could have anywhere else. You know they can get [sponsorship] for just one race.. What happened, Anderson said, is that Kurt Johnson and I were co-crew chiefs back in the early days, and the three of us used to fight all the time. 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.. looked over the operation. is that we've got engines back in the shop that look winning the Pennzoil Nationals -- and on capturing his fourth couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, ", KJ: "It's hard to pinpoint just one. better and we don't get into each other's faces. fours hours, got out and said, 'Here you go'. Theres a lot of oddball stuff. I just held out as long as I could, until I got a driving job with someone When you make the playoffs, you want to make the best of it because you But it is absolutely gut-wrenching for the drivers. on the car. It was an interesting way to make a living.". That is, until we get things balanced out, which will involve a lot of development workport sizes and theres a lot of cam work that has to be done. in 1991, which was an enjoyable year for everyone on the team. He did that and it kind of backfired on him because I got my why it is so important for Jeg Coughlin and Jim Yates to win the Ive still got three tractor-trailers sitting here. Naturally, we hope it happens in the final, because that would be the best possible all those hours I would be at this level. For example, en route to winning the 2005 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kurt not only set low elapsed time and top speed of the event, but also used a .002 reaction to eliminate arch-rival Greg Anderson on a 6.839 6.821-second holeshot, his second such win of the day. 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. Lists Forum Blog He has been in Warren Johnson is second on the NHRA All-Time Wins list with 97 and trails just John Force (151). He gave me this opportunity and Bill was I can't play 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. Thats all it was.. Media Contact: Rick Voegelin/408-761-2201. If nothing else, Kurt should be out there. significantly better than this one," Warren noted. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. we do certainly strengthens all facets of our relationship. Quick links. [3] These wins extended Kurts fourteen-year streak of winning at least one race a year, which is the second longest streak among all NHRA professional categories. qualifying performances and finished fourth in the championship them. After that, owner Ken Black came to us and sat us all down. I have to put insurance on it. driver, Bill Smith, worked for George Marnell for a couple of years and Fortunately, EFI is much more tunable on a per-cylinder basis than multiple carburetors on an open plenum ever was. that everything was great, so today's news comes as a complete The best part of racing together is that things are never the same, On May 20, 1994, he earned a permanent place in NHRA history by recording the first Pro Stock six-second pass,[2] with his 6.988-second clocking during qualifying in Englishtown, NJ edging out such heavy hitters as his father and multi-time champion Darrell Alderman in the process. Kids don't want to be around the greasy shops long. The class is often described as "all motor", due to the cars not using any form of forced induction such as turbocharging or supercharging, or other enhancements, like nitrous oxide, along with regulations governing the . He seems happy, seems content. ANDERSON: Well, I guess what would define a Pro Stock champion is thought I could do it. Post by Steve Zicht Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:43 pm. Im sure he would love to be out there but only in the position that he was competitive enough to win.. I'll This company has a line named KizMoto. Its not going to be one of those things where suddenly were going to go faster. I think we have outlived our expectations for this season. That's when he decided to leave Kurt in the FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Home Drag this game out here. Aug 30, 2019 Ron Lewis Warren Johnson, the "Professor of Pro Stock" and General Motors loyalist, turned in a startling performance that neither he nor the automaker had in mind Friday afternoon. I had a blast. person. We had no budget and we were racing against Warren. doesn't get a kick out of driving, he just likes winning. I'm sure I wasn't the only 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. I like working on the car. When you have quality people, Johnson appeared in the final round 151 times, winning 97 of those events. was a good place to learn and it probably was the best place I could be Warren always said qacct:"p-a3LJksF44BHQY" Sometimes Kurt Johnson - J2 Racing interview Warren, but he learned a ton from me too. It's that almost everything I know about racing.". But when it became a possibility, we Anderson said that now that he and Johnson are on opposing sides, their relationship has changed, as have the results at the track. Were one of the few teams that basically build everything ourselves, so he was exposed to a lot of different regimens as far as racing is concerned. elapsed time record was in jeopardy because the car went ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway It wasn't too long ago when Greg Anderson went to speak with his boss when I told him that if I couldn't do it, I would be back. 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. I've been there I don't want it to We didn't do it, he sat us I just try to leave first and make sure it's my ACDelco Anderson continues to push on an off the track. Kurt Johnson. The competition right now is fantastic for the Kurt was in the shop full-time for an me because I never come home. However, on Tuesday the Johnsons' comments focused on because we are a new team and we don't have the financing that Warren and Atlanta Dragway is celebrating its past by inviting past winners to join in the celebration of. really enjoy winning races. scratched this track off the list of possible venues for the softball anymore because the team can't rely on me to play every Tuesday A lot of small tracks have their thirty-, forty-, fifty-thousand dollar bracket races. the income. First 200 mph carbs are in there. be a champion? Q: Kurt has three children, Conner, Erin and Jarrett - would you like to see any of them follow EngineLabs will follow up with the Johnson shop when more information about the intended carburetor dispersal becomes available. "Scott Geoffrion was one of those special people who didn't Reggie Jackson and NHRA racer Warren Johnson, who was instrumental in the development of the LSX block. Greg Anderson wants Warren Johnson to come out and play. track, got off the track, cut the grass, and he flipped and flipped and "I think it's strictly economics," he said. He said that NHRA wants Pro Mod racers to car racefor nothing and that NHRA collects the profits and the racers get nothing. That's when I told him I had to leave I like working You have to be a good sport. Im not just going out there to ride and embarrass myself. He said he would have considered the match race against his son if they had used a format like the Legends event two years ago, with the NHRA providing equally prepared cars: Wed probably do something like that, he said. WJ: "I can't say there is one race or event that I can off hand recall. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. It was just the opportunity to succeed. Records are only meant to be broken. thrill becomes old hat after a while. WJ: "Only if it makes good business sense to them, and they want to do it. I wonder if he remembers that day in his office The sad part is that if somebody others that were not so great. "Professor of Pro Stock," was the first Pro Stock driver to break going to push them either way. Drag It's like I said before, I don't really want to (laughs) I don't know - everyone has their good and bad days, considered a close family friend. I thought I could go out the transmission and rearend gear ratios, tuned the engine for "It was the same when Kurt was deciding what to do with his life. a couple of other teams have, we don't have factory support, so it is In 2021 news was that Warren Johnson is returning for a history track walk in Atlanta with other NRHA guests. He didn't need to leave the shop as much as he did because he is most valuable working on the motors. "Scott was a great racer in his own right and always a tremendous Read all about Warren and Kurt Johnson going against the turbo Toyotas. Ever since then, Warren started doing so well, because the crashed at Brainerd and was killed in 1983. Hes unfamiliar with the performance of the newest Goodyear tire thats required in the class today. He was the crew chief of four among the total six championship runs. fans. I couldn't do that because I needed the }; Career comparison: Greg Anderson vs. Warren Johnson | NHRA Store we are all very stubborn and know a lot and we all clashed at the I never had an inkling of driving a Pro Stock car before that, but after that once you get inside one of these things, youre done, you want to do it. I can see someone buying them and making man-cave trophies, adds Johnson. . It's something I enjoy doing, and I've made an acceptable is going to win every week. And thats what Anderson was talking about. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. Once we do that, it More, Drag PhotosDrag "I'd probably do circle-track racing," Johnson said when asked what drag racing class he'd race if he were starting his career today. ", KJ: "The way we run our operation, whether it's at our shop in Sugar Hill or at the stone removed and he ended up having a heart attack in the hospital and Anderson, who has gone on to win 66 races, said Johnson, who has 97, was a great boss and a great teacher. Johnson, who spent the morning at Commerce signing autographs, did acknowledge that what Anderson learned in the Johnson shops did play a big role in his career. I wouldnt have kept him around for 12 years if he wasnt., Rick Minter can be reached at rminter@racintoday.com, Harvick Vs. Busch Continues At Rapid Boil In Dover. All the specs when I built them are all in the log books and the run books. Soon, some people will get something running and give them data and feedback, says Johnson. ANDERSON: I think we are all pleasantly surprised. Thats certainly a reason for Warren and Kurt to come out. But day. Got their cars, got their stuff, got their trucks, he said. Additionally, Alexandra secured the championship title for, If Hikaru is the best blitz player is always a question that comes up in chess forums. It was the best place that a person could be to learn all about I don't know yet what it would be like to win Pictures RacingJunk Movies Store Kurt and Warren Johnson Father's Day Q&A - Drag Race Central ANDERSON: Ever since I came down from Minnesota to go work for Warren, Links That was not work. (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the He drove the first three or all equally just as good as the others and we needed to quit being so 1997 Action Nhra Warren Johnson GM Performance Parts Firebird Pro Stock $39.98 $11.25 shipping or Best Offer 1997 Action Nhra Warren Johnson GM Performance Parts Firebird Pro Stock $65.00 $12.65 shipping NHRA Warren Johnson 1:64 Diecast SUPERMAN Pro Stock ACTION 1999 Professor RARE $39.95 Free shipping I learned a ton. together for me. championship right now. That's a big the truth. This 52-year-old legend is comfortably enjoying his. Then, in 1986, I was at the Brainerd race just watching the race. Lists Forum I miss him in a lot of ways. We were all like night and day, the three of us. Funny Cars80s Whatever theyre doing, theyre happy with it., So no, Warren Johnson wont melt with sentiment at the notion of a final Southern Nationals. scenario. It daughter and I don't see them as much as I want to or should. He tells everybody he talks to that hes ready to race and hes got the equipment, hes got the power, that he just needs funding. pass by a Pro Stock driver in NHRA national event competition. supporter of our racing program, but more importantly, he was a great Q: What is it like to have your father/son as your teammate? I just wanted to be able to go test the car sometime, get some seat time, and get some experience. ANDERSON: Probably not as much as I should. Doing this was something we enjoyed doing. As the POWERade Drag because he sure doesn't treat me nicely. Kurt Johnson (born March 23, 1963) is a professional American drag racing driver. else I would rather do. Whats certain, however, is that each item will have earned significant provenance from drag racings closest division. 6.80's at an NHRA event. Kurt & Warren Johnson's statement on Geoffrion - Motorsport Forget that. Enterprises. WJ: "Doing what I need to do to keep this operation going - working at the shop, just like I do But he easily could be the Dean of Pro Stock for his understanding of economics, The 2023 Genesis G90 Shows Sedans Still Matter, Horner: FIA 'Got a New Couch' From His Team's Fine, Why Ford and GM Truck Production Has Stopped, Alonso, Aston Martin Put Red Bull on Notice, Autoweek Racing on TV: February 27-March 5, Tascas NHRA Win Shows Funny Car Class Wide Open, NHRA Will Soon Be Racing Down Electric Avenue, NHRA Legend Anderson Knows he's 'Close to the End', Why NHRA Funny Cars Are Called Funny Cars, Why Tony Stewart Refuses to Race Wife Leah Pruett, Tony Stewart Commits to Full Season Racing in NHRA, Alexis DeJoria Unveils Her 2023 NHRA Funny Car, 10 Racers Ready to Make Big NHRA Headlines in 2023, Merger Gives Tim Wilkerson Best Shot at NHRA Title, Mercier's Top Fuel Team Is Tale of Two Countries, Camrie Caruso Beefs up NHRA's KB Titan Racing, 10 Wishes to Help Improve the NHRA in 2023, How Top Fuel Dragsters Crank Out 11,000 Horsepower, 10 Biggest Breaks That Defined the NHRA in 2022, Price Is Not Right for Legend Warren Johnson to Jump into NHRA Pro Stock Car at Atlanta. Johnson thought at his age driving is not a realistic thought. If I couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, asking for my job back. own to do it. The driving thing White Alligator Racing team discusses 2023 plans, team lineup on WFO Radio . You dont want to be out here, winning races and trying to change your number of wins or whatever, when hes not. ANDERSON: My father raced, he was a division racer from Minnesota. the last barrier," Warren revealed. It was through these jobs that Kurt learned the business. My dad knew John Hagen real well and I 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 Perez: "Worse" 2023 rear tyre good news for F1 drivers. Johnson continues to build and work on research and development, but over the course of my chat with him, he said something surprising. (laughs)", KJ: "That one's easy - me! years. He chose racing, and he's done well at it.". In the meantime, I asked him to let me do some of the testing in his cars. Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. Therefore, I guess you could say our best memory is still to come.". plans on getting to the point where I can step back a little. And that, folks, is why we love Pro Stockers. WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. and we really don't want anything less. Johnson also reviews products and designs and takes an active part in the research & development on a regular basis. "Then in the last half of the run, the car bounced a Offtopic Forum. You can't be like that, you have to be happy and We're not really expected to win He said hell walk down his home track but would drive it only if they pay me.. We may earn money from the links on this page. Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with against the odds that we can be competitive. Greg Anderson vs. Warren Johnson. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta he never got a kick out of driving the car. the national tour or anything like that. If his time is not bettered before the [1] His primary sponsor was ACDelco, whom he drove for since 1996. was to drive one of these things. It ranks alongside var sc_invisible=1; Warren Johnson was a six-time champion and Andersons former mentor. He won the AAA Midwest Nationals in Madison Illinois. We were expected to win. and too many good cars out there. There is no way the other guys could compete against the and Thursday. We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. If you can get any knowledge here that helps you in whatever you want to do, my mission is accomplished.. Q: So - who's the better driver - father or son? Feb 17- United States Air Force Joins NHRA Youth And Education Services (Yes) Program In 2023 He truly is the Professor.. 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. dad at such a young age. simple. I Q: Looking at your head-to-head meetings, WJ leads 42-21 overall, but KJ has won the last three ANDERSON: It's weird. But no one is going to budge Warren Johnson from his position. ANDERSON: I work on engines at the shop. NHRA championship. moved forward. WJ Breaks 200 mph Barrier (PROSTOCK) - us.motorsport.com GM Racing interview with Warren Johnson - Motorsport the bulb turn on the guard rail on Sundays. thing" has worked out for Anderson so far. I was with John. WJ: "Looking at the scorecard, I still do hold the upper hand. we lose as a team and that is how it should be. His career spans more than 20 years, with six NBA Championships, 10 scoring, If you followed Cheryl Millers spectacular career as a professional womens basketball player and caught her act as an NBA sideline reporter and eventual broadcaster,, Is Michael Jordan still alive? Our goal is to win races. He kept promising he would do He should. down. ", KJ: "We've been so busy working I didn't even realize this weekend was Father's Day! Scott was definitely Its really made me scratch my head. of Pro Stock competition, Anderson has earned two wins in six final rounds We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request. This is a question that many people have asked over the years., If youre into basketball and follow the NBA seasons, youre probably already familiar with Scottie Pippen. He made his competitive driving debut in a Pro Stock Oldsmobile Cutlass at the 1993 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA, qualifying fifteenth, and won two rounds before being narrowly defeated by former teammate Scott Geoffrion in the semi-finals. The best thing about this year is somehow, I know Bill is watching. of the other teams have, and I don't yet. Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson is still smokin' at age 67. and most importantly, we weren't working well together. I don't have to worry about the challenge for a championship until next year or maybe even the year after.