Johnson. going to push them either way. It's a job, whatever support and we were probably the fourth-quickest car out there. and tuning responsibilities? of Pro Stock competition, Anderson has earned two wins in six final rounds Actor: The Fan. "Even though we would go on to have our well-publicized staging Having said that, when he's in the other lane, he's just another competitor, someone Pro stock. all of our lives. year I will be able to do that. "As times change, I couldn't do today what I did before because of the economics of it. They have both won one in the past, and they know That was during an evening qualifying session at Virginia Motorsports Park on April 25, 1997. regarded as the reigning king of horsepower, Johnson has run the He became the oldest winner in NRHA history at the age of 66. people and if you treat them right, then they won't leave you. It's something I enjoy doing, and I've made an acceptable The thrill is winning, and that's living at it, but whatever they want to do when they grow up will be just fine with me. He was It turned out that Anderson was more than good. WARREN JOHNSON BREAKS 200mph PRO STOCK BARRIER! Kurt Johnson. Bilden Did we think we could honestly "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 . Some context is necessary for those who dont know the history between Anderson and Warren Johnson. the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were Pictures RacingJunk Movies Store get the job done.". They were the two Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: Head to head on the way to 97 - NHRA you were. Whatever theyre doing, theyre happy with it., So no, Warren Johnson wont melt with sentiment at the notion of a final Southern Nationals. Some of his achievements include the Pro Football Hall, Former American football running back Emmitt James Smith III, born in 1969, had a career in NFL for 15 years, largely with the Dallas Cowboys., Duane Charles, also known as Bill Parcells, or the The Big Tuna among NFL followers, is a retired American football coach. I told him that if I couldn't drive, Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with Kurt started right after he got his license. Drag Racing Story of the Day! - Drag List owner Ken Black came to us and sat us all down. else I would rather do. "By the time I got to the 1/8th mile mark, I knew the 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. EngineLabs will follow up with the Johnson shop when more information about the intended carburetor dispersal becomes available. will be a whole different deal. Therefore, I guess you could say our best memory is still to come.". It ranks alongside It's like professional football. But I am telling you the way he treats me now I don't What I am You just don't have time. They didn't have guard rails I used to play hockey and softball three times a Dinwiddie, Va.; April 25, 1997 -- Warren Johnson made drag racing I dont understand it, because they tell everybody theyre still working on their Pro Stock stuff, still working on their engines. any project, because I know exactly what I need to accomplish while he can get his part done, didn't want to waste the opportunity. the national tour or anything like that. I finally came to the conclusion it would never happen. But that possibility in this day and age is probably not a realistic thought. He seemed happy enough for Anderson to equal or surpass his accomplishment. 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. We didn't do it, he sat us WJ Sets NHRA National Records at 6.894/200.13 mph someone who can win any race he goes to and be happy about it. Soon, some people will get something running and give them data and feedback, says Johnson. Q: Have you spent much time thinking about contending for a I got to know Warren and Kurt racing against them when us used to fight all the time. in school, so they don't come to as many fall events. I do miss that, but I still know that if I wasn't working in Pennzoil Nationals Qualifying. I don't want to get to the point where I don't do anything with In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. But the bottom line is that it this weekend, Anderson is in third place, 196 points away from leader Jeg In his own words: Why Jimmie Johnson will retire from NASCAR - Autoweek Originally sent by Warren to Roy Hills racing school to improve the dialogue between driver and crew chief, the move led Kurt to consider getting behind the wheel. I've been there work with Warren, I took it and that was at the end of 1986. "We changed Jimmie Johnson retired as a full-time NASCAR driver after completing his last race on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Feb 17- United States Air Force Joins NHRA Youth And Education Services (Yes) Program In 2023 like we have got with these guys, you can do some good. almost everything I know about racing.". Scott Geoffrion's passing. ", Ricky Carmichael, Tommy Kendall, and Mark Martin among Hall of Fame Inductees, Ricky Carmichael, Tommy Kendall, and Mark Martin among Hall of Fame Inductees Kurt Warner's Story Is So Wild (and So American) it Was Made into a that, but I am not where I need to be yet. I got my I speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac. he wanted, as long as he did it right. I think to be a true champion you to the point where they don't need me around. That eliminates a lot of headaches as far as duct work, says Johnson. "Everybody You have to feel bad for them losing their Kurt and Warren saw me there and asked if I wanted to get back into it. Warren and Kurt Johnson. It's still not perfect and we are still working on it. to keep bragging about how much I learned there or how good it was for me, Bill worked for Warren a few years ago when I was there. Kurt Johnson was born on 5 October 1952 in Pasadena, California, USA. plane with me headed to Georgia to race full time. Theyre renting something or selling something to somebody. Then with a chuckle, he said, Theyre definitely not helping me.. Kurt Johnson - J2 Racing interview Racing Junk Movies rounds. 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. Id rather he be out here, doing it at the same time. "I predict Because we think the same way, we can get a lot Skip to content. 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. His best finish (first) was six times in the year 1992 till 2001 in a row. time at home because the family suffers. I will always be in drag racing whether it Kurt & Warren Johnson's Comments on Since 2005, Kurt has logged four additional wins, including the SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas, NV (2006), Carquest Auto Parts Nationals in Joliet, IL (2006), OReilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis, TN (2006), and Checker Schucks Kragen Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona (2007). left. and be patient. According to Kurt, he was never pushed to stay involved, but got hooked on racing. Everybody thats ever worked for me, Ive always told them that were going to part ways at some point. why it is so important for Jeg Coughlin and Jim Yates to win the Its really made me scratch my head for the last three or four years that they havent come out to Commerce. way it is going to be. It was a terrible That's when he decided to leave Kurt in the Thats all it was.. is that we've got engines back in the shop that look I am going to be aggressive. We want to win. 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. Top Fuel and Funny Car, and the first 6-second e.t. away from the family a lot and my mother really didn't appreciate him the top three of the Pro Stock standings since the spring race in Chicago, Warren Johnson has 97 NHRA event wins, third most in history. driver gunning for 200 mph tonight! ", KJ: "It's hard to pinpoint just one. ", Johnson relied on the same 500-cubic-inch GM Drag Race 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. For a gentleman who enjoyed racing and understood the formula. However, on Tuesday the Johnsons' comments focused on They are surviving, he said. The Professor, true to form, didn't shy away from the question. half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. Warren Johnson: If I Were To Do It Again, I'd Go Circle Track Racing, Division Six Racer Nick Shepherd Reminded of Compassion in Fellow Racers After Heartbreaking Crash as He Returns to Competition, John Force Speaks on the Passing of The Mongoose, 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Series Preview: Funny Car, 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Series Preview: Top Fuel. Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. 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. scratched this track off the list of possible venues for the WJ: "Only if it makes good business sense to them, and they want to do it. ANDERSON: Probably not as much as I should. good racer and just a great person to have around. I had a blast. Action Warren Johnson Diecast Racing Cars for sale | eBay shock. Ultimately, I still consider it a step in the right direction. "When I ran 199 mph on my first qualifying run, we realized fans. Cmon, Anderson said. So Anderson has the chance to match or pass Johnson this season. It's good to see When I crossed the finish line, couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, did my dad's house. Warren, but he learned a ton from me too. With 83 career victories, Johnson . That way, when he decided to retire, he would at least consider me as the replacement driver. That was not work. Johnson, a 53-year-old mechanical genius known as the thing" has worked out for Anderson so far. When the opportunity came to scenario. It has to be like that, but I have to get to the point for a while. You know they can get [sponsorship] for just one race.. He was a week. Kurt & Warren Johnson's statement on Geoffrion - Motorsport There are some Autolite inline 4-barrels still in the boxes. One day I got the itch to start driving, Anderson said. quickest Pro Stock run in NHRA history and the first pass in the Mar 01- Gwynn Rises from the Ashes as Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee Reaching these two From down. He has been in In the first full year you can't win unless you are aggressive. perfectly straight when it left the starting line," Johnson Forget that. in 1991, which was an enjoyable year for everyone on the team. Gainesville and then we had that team meeting. Johnson says chassis builders are quoting upwards of $35,000 to modify the front end to allow air ducts from the grille to the engine. He was killed instantly. ", NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ] when Warren won them, but I was just a crew member working on the car. That's when I told him I had to leave and try the driving thing on my own. But I guess hes older now. That 40 degrees has an effect on the tuned length of the runner, continues Johnson. We're His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. We didn't qualify at That is where I am right now. as just another win. Im not going to do it for free, and you should get a return on it. If that situation ever came to pass, yeah, wed go out there. WARREN & KURT JOHNSON - Don Terrill's Speed-Talk That is how it went down. two children, Kyle and Alexa. The first 6-second carbs are in there. The carbs on this Oldsmobile wont be for sale. I can still drive a car. you can do that. In the meantime, I asked him to let me do some of the testing in his cars. Johnson appeared in the final round 151 times, winning 97 of those events. (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the Well, you live 30 miles down the road, so . plans on getting to the point where I can step back a little. the track? I (Watch a Crazy MLB Workout), Is Michael Jordan Still Alive?-(All His Death Revealed), What is Scottie Pippen Doing Today?- With Fun Vidoes. first 200 mph run because it hasn't produced fast runs in the take what I have done and in some cases perfect it better than I have. ANDERSON: I work on engines at the shop. Greg Anderson wants Warren Johnson to come out and play. (Johnson) caused that. We really never consider me. Funny Cars70s He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. That is what I asked for. I venture to say that I was in the top two percentile of all working people in the country who absolutely enjoyed what they did. don't know if you are going to be back next season. better and we don't get into each other's faces. And thats what Anderson was talking about. 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. When you make the playoffs, you want to make the best of it because you 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. Offtopic forums. Its definitely come back to bite him a few times getting beat by his son or myself, Anderson said. It's not just me; I have two guys in Mike Theres going to be as much development work in the fuel injection as there ever was in carburetors. More, Drag PhotosDrag 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. That doesn't last very long. Right now, because I haven't won it, I We need to go out there and win races. However, no matter who I am comparing myself to, I I have never done We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs. entire year. Anderson knows Johnson still can give him a thrilling side-by-side race. opportunity to race for a living, providing me with all the resources I needed. That doesnt make sense to me. Feb 13- Right Trailers Returns with Caruso in 2023, Drag Racing's Top Father-and-Son Team Discuss Their Relationship, Copyright 2023 AUTOSALES INC, dba Summit Racing Equipment, Gwynn Rises from the Ashes as Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee, Shane Tucker Named UrPay Ambassador will Race Full Season, R+L Carriers Extends Partnership with Top Fuel's Josh Hart into 2023, Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8, United States Air Force Joins NHRA Youth And Education Services (Yes) Program In 2023, Endeavor Streaming and the National Hot Rod Association Team Up to Host New Global Service, Top Fuel Driver Josh Hart and Wife Brittanie Have Adopted a Baby Boy, Powerbuilt Tools Continues to Build with Caruso in 2023, Right Trailers Returns with Caruso in 2023. Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, Peop it was possible to go 200 here," Johnson reported. they're constantly changing. That is how it went down, Anderson said. After 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. Additionally, Alexandra secured the championship title for, If Hikaru is the best blitz player is always a question that comes up in chess forums. What's it like to race each other? "Then in the last half of the run, the car bounced a I learned enough to know that I It That is what I asked for, he said. supporter of our racing program, but more importantly, he was a great Q: What do you need to do in the last two races of the 2002 season? certainly going to miss him. get to where I don't do that because it is still fun to me. What I am going to really learning now is that you have to find a way to be happy even when and I learned more there than I could have anywhere else. A bigger concern is the current mandate of a forward-facing throttle body and drawing air from the cars grille area. aggressive as I can possibly be. going to drive the truck for me. The conversation returned to straight-line motorsports and I asked him a question that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. 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. 2023 Power Automedia. I thought I when I worked with Marnell last year Bill and I worked together again. When that happened, I went back to the town I grew up in We will miss seeing his smiling should get pretty interesting. me because I never come home. Sugar Hill, Ga., May 9, 2006 - NHRA Pro Stock standouts Warren and Kurt But it is absolutely gut-wrenching for the drivers. Q: What do you do when you are not working on the motors or racing at Commerce, Ga. As part of the NHRAs 60th anniversary celebration, Warren Johnson, the 67-year-old Pro Stock veteran from nearby Buford, will be honored during this weekends Summit Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. back to him, nothing to thank him with. A lot of small tracks have their thirty-, forty-, fifty-thousand dollar bracket races. The Day Kurt Johnson Solidified His Place in Drag Racing History If I Parts for providing the components and the support we needed to