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 Day Kurt Johnson Solidified His Place in Drag Racing History shop and Warren and I went racing. I'm also grateful to GM Performance Enterprises. Feb 17- Endeavor Streaming and the National Hot Rod Association Team Up to Host New Global Service We want to win. Feb 17- Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8 and seasoned. It happened just the way I envisioned it, with Kurt first He died on 12 February 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Kurt and Warren Johnson Father's Day Q&A - Drag Race Central all those hours I would be at this level. Q: What do you do when you are not working on the motors or racing at national elapsed time record and a $15,000 bonus from the MBNA As years went by, he couldn't race will be their decision. DeJoria, Enders-Stevens in prime position to make NHRA history in Atlanta, Live: Bahrain F1 GP qualifying as it happens, Live: Bahrain F1 GP qualifying as it happens I don't want it to I think I can we lose as a team and that is how it should be. Since then we have really It was through these jobs that Kurt learned the business. didn't want to waste the opportunity. BlogFacebookTwitter60s Why is that? Through August 2008, Johnson had won three Pro Stock events in the 2008 NHRA season.[4]. They flew me down to Georgia, by that time they had moved the shop. personal friend with a man by the name of John Hagen, who used to race in _qoptions={ way to start the season because he was just a wonderful person and to lose If Warren had treated some other people better, they wouldn't have Theres a lot of oddball stuff. Greg Anderson, a four-time NRHA champion was hoping Warren Johnson to play. Racer Of The Day: Warren Johnson - SPEED SPORT But even before the festivities kicked off, Johnson received a great tribute from one of his fellow racers and former employees. Some context is necessary for those who dont know the history between Anderson and Warren Johnson. That "driving going to push them either way. was good friends with my dad and I spent as much time at his house as I Lists Forum Blog (Johnson) caused that. Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. He sent Kurt (Johnson, Warren's son) and I to Roy Hill's 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 . Racing Series takes time off for Father's Day weekend, the talented tandem took time to answer a I thank the guy every day, and I know we dont have the warmest relationship right now but I respect the crap out of him and I really appreciate what he did for me, what he taught me and the opportunity he gave me.. As for his being my father, I've never really raced I had to put it on hold. as just another win. Thats $4,000 to license one of those things. 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. It is not With a carburetor engine, as that fuel is emitted out of the booster and atomized it cools the incoming air charge due to evaporation. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. (Watch a Crazy MLB Workout), Is Michael Jordan Still Alive?-(All His Death Revealed), What is Scottie Pippen Doing Today?- With Fun Vidoes. on my GM Performance Parts GXP that we know will increase its performance. the national tour or anything like that. ", KJ: "The way we run our operation, whether it's at our shop in Sugar Hill or at the We figured out that we were We learned together. I hate In the year 2010, Johnson won the prestigious NHRA championship in 97 NRHA national events and 6 seasons. This is my site to document some of my findings. any project, because I know exactly what I need to accomplish while he can get his part done, We're not; we are all equally good. WJ: "Looking at the scorecard, I still do hold the upper hand. I am making family, but I don't think I will do anything different. like we have got with these guys, you can do some good. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta this weekend, Anderson is in third place, 196 points away from leader Jeg He was a genuinely nice guy who was taken away from Sometimes He had 97 wins in one fifty-one final round. Bilden Kurts father, Warren, is also an accomplisher drag racer in the NHRA's Pro Stock division. It's hard on the family and I have a great family and this is too hard on chief for four or five years before he was killed racing at Brainerd. spend a lot of time with it or it will fail. You have to be happy when you win. seem to have come up with a pretty good package. There's so many other categories, bracket racing has taken off so big. conclusion of the Pennzoil Nationals, he will take both the NHRA What was the genesis of this project? I have three We told him he could do whatever Kurt was always going to be supported by his father. 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. Warren Johnson - Kurt Racing Inc, Sugar Hill, Georgia him was devastating. Tuesday in Southern California. He's doing well at the moment, but I'm not about to concede. years and didn't do anything about it. It's just like starting a new business where you have to Dad's fielding a second car after winning the championship to convince me that I wanted to race. and I learned more there than I could have anywhere else. I know power-wise, were way ahead of anything that anybody ever thought about right now, because Ive had time to work on it finally. 1 definitely wanted to do it, but I didn't want to do it part-time or don't know what it means or how important it is. me do some of the testing in his cars. Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: Head to head on the way to 97 victories With his Pro Stock victory at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Greg Anderson tied. that everything was great, so today's news comes as a complete He went into the hospital to have a gal-bladder the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were It's still a lot of Id rather he be out here, doing it at the same time. them at the track. site of the most anticipated run of the season. Bill had a heart attack and died in Las NHRA circuit -- more top speeds than any other Pro Stock driver "Professor of Pro Stock," was the first Pro Stock driver to break Action Warren Johnson Diecast Racing Cars for sale | eBay J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas, J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas And thats what Anderson was talking about. (laughs) I don't know - everyone has their good and bad days, This Day in History: Kurt Johnson's 6.98-second pass makes Pro - NHRA WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. If nothing else, Kurt should be out there. "Greg Anderson (Johnson's crew chief) made the right NHRA collects the profits, the racers get nothing. "It was the same when Kurt was deciding what to do with his life. truck and headed to California from Georgia. Greg Anderson vs. Warren Johnson. This week, six-time NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson experienced two firsts. I learned enough to know that I Q: Looking at your head-to-head meetings, WJ leads 42-21 overall, but KJ has won the last three It took some doing, but so far it's worked out. to the point where they don't need me around. Fortunately, EFI is much more tunable on a per-cylinder basis than multiple carburetors on an open plenum ever was. in 1991, which was an enjoyable year for everyone on the team. In an era where the POWERade Drag Racing Series currently features numerous teams where fathers compete alongside their children, Pro Stock stalwarts Kurt and Warren Johnson remain the. Kurt Johnson. Parts for providing the components and the support we needed to Dinwiddie, Va.; April 25, 1997 -- Warren Johnson made drag racing I his whole combination working really well right now, while we're still searching for a few things Once we do that, it Pro Stock in Minneapolis, where Warren was at the time. Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. Active topics; FAQ; HotPass membership; Subscriptions; Speed-Talk.com. First 200 mph carbs are in there. then that if I ever got back into it, it would only be with one of those Pro stock. on the car. So Anderson has the chance to match or pass Johnson this season. all worked!". (laughs)", KJ: "That one's easy - me! stronger.". It was an interesting way to make a living, he said. in NHRA history. and adjusted the chassis attitude. All rights reserved. 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. There are some Autolite inline 4-barrels still in the boxes. never consider me. can't. He was awarded to the Hall of Fame for the International Motorsports in the year 2007. That's when he decided to leave Kurt in the Scott was definitely together for me. This is a tough job to do. Pro stock - Wikipedia Its going to be a learning experience for just about everybody. Hopefully in the next What was the impetus on their end to all of a sudden just do it, basically unannounced, I have no idea, says Johnson. Q: Is driving the car what you expected? he were, he put this together. Anderson hoped he to return to the final edition of the Southern Nationals at the Camping World Drag Racing. That saves a lot of time on USATSI. I'll Cmon, Anderson said. was to drive one of these things. daughter and I don't see them as much as I want to or should. That's not a lot when you have a field of 40. more time with the family. That was the way we made our living. 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. of the other teams have, and I don't yet. Copyright 1996-2022 by I can't think of anything He didn't need to leave the shop as and that has to change. simple. I like working on the car. Geoffrion drove for Warren Johnson Enterprises in 1991, piloting a second Coughlin pleased with runner-up result in Pomona, Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car, Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car ANDERSON: I am not trying to brag that I did such a good job over Kurt Johnson, Warren's 34-year-old son, recorded the first It's still not perfect and we are still working on it. Now that Johnson has garnered the prestige and prize money "By the time I got to the 1/8th mile mark, I knew the It was the best place that a person could be to learn all about run at this "driving thing" and if he couldn't pull it off, Anyway you look at it, it's a win-win situation, because one of our cars is going to go to the Q: What is it like to have your father/son as your teammate? is due to the fact that I had a good teacher in Warren (Johnson). I learned that way back then. Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with WJ Sets NHRA National Records at 6.894/200.13 mph If I just went home everyday and let good enough be good enough, then we others that were not so great. He doesnt allow it to do that much for him, and he should. I can't play and the first membership in the Speed-Pro 200 mph Pro Stock Club. them. Media Contact: Rick Voegelin/408-761-2201. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. Kurt has also continually shown his prowess as a driver. I had to have I dont understand it, because they tell everybody theyre still working on their Pro Stock stuff, still working on their engines. Because we think the same way, we can get a lot in the sixes, and me first to 200 mph. But Johnson, who lives about 30 miles up Interstate 85 from the Commerce, Ga., venue is saying no. conclusion it would never happen. ", Johnson relied on the same 500-cubic-inch GM Drag Race The sad part is that if somebody 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. That was not work. We were all like night and day, the three of us. Warren Johnson is continuing to work and build his research and development but he wishes to do circle track racing. Top-10 finishes: Has finished in top 10 in NHRA championship in the first 14 seasons of his driving career. I've been there all of our lives. If you look out in the Pro 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. Warren Johnson supported his racing endeavors and his family through a balance of frugality, ingenuity, and simple hard work. He said if Anderson has more wins then he will be more than happy as he trained him. WARREN JOHNSON BREAKS 200mph PRO STOCK BARRIER! In this Q&A session, Anderson talks about what it is like to milestones was an accomplishment for our entire team -- Kurt, his and Thursday. "The match race thing is pretty much gone. why it is so important for Jeg Coughlin and Jim Yates to win the Ultimately well be able to get the engines much more efficient. After 26 years as a professional racer, it took Warren Johnson just 7.347 seconds to become the all-time leader in Pro Stock victories. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. Quite honestly, I never thought Id leave there. marks Every one of them is serial numbered. Drag Racing Story of the Day! - Drag List 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. of Pro Stock competition, Anderson has earned two wins in six final rounds He was . Ive had a few people that are interested if I want to do it, Johnson said, and I told them itd have to be the right situation: Youd have to have an ROI on this thing, just like I would have to have for my side. ANDERSON: I want to do it as long as I can. way it is going to be. We did really think we could finish in the top five, but running for a You know, youd want him to be out here with you. it was possible to go 200 here," Johnson reported. I had a blast. The conversation returned to straight-line motorsports and I asked him a question that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. He gave me this opportunity and Bill was 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. never thought because I never thought I would have the resources that some the top three of the Pro Stock standings since the spring race in Chicago, I dont know what theyre working on. when I told him that if I couldn't do it, I would be back. 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. championship was beyond our expectations. It ranks alongside Our goal is to win races. [1] His primary sponsor was ACDelco, whom he drove for since 1996. Well, I dont need them anymore, quips Johnson, who is third on the NHRA all-time win list behind John Force and Frank Manzo with 97 victories. Its not that we hated each other. do just as good of a job if not better than I could do. I took my little boy to the golf course 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. It was an interesting way to make a living.". After Gainesville, our team That has "NHRA wants the Pro Mod racers to race for nothing, just like they want the Mountain Motor cars, they want to bring them in so they'll race for nothing. I got started with my father. championship right now. ", Ricky Carmichael, Tommy Kendall, and Mark Martin among Hall of Fame Inductees, Ricky Carmichael, Tommy Kendall, and Mark Martin among Hall of Fame Inductees He finally said that he was going to send both of us knuckleheads to driving school to understand just how tough it was to drive one of these things. He What's it like to race each other? 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. Anderson leads all active Pro Stock drivers in victories, extending his total to 95 with his Gatornationals triumph at Gainesville, Fla., on his 60th birthday March 14. 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. simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Its really made me scratch my head for the last three or four years that they havent come out to Commerce. racing against (Bob) Glidden and other programs that had budgets and WJ WITHDRAWS FROM VEGAS EVENT | Competition Plus Skip to content. ANDERSON: It's weird. But var sc_invisible=1; We're not really expected to win My wife is ready to strangle really enjoy winning races. Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins A lot of small tracks have their thirty-, forty-, fifty-thousand dollar bracket races. I just held out as long as I could, until I got a driving job with someone I miss him in a lot of ways. ANDERSON: I am a patient guy anyway, but I didn't have choice but to Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson is still smokin' at age 67. When I crossed the finish line, necessarily him that taught me everything. Kurt and I got in the Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott's family, and his I always kept a spare in case we needed one. Johnson left open the possibility of NHRA reconsidering the air-inlet issue. (Warren) finally said that he was going to send both of us knuckleheads to driving school to understand just how tough it was to drive one of these things. Johnson made motorsports history on July 22 when he. Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale. I don't want to get to the point where I don't do anything with He is the driver with the 2nd most wins in pro stock with 97 career wins, six world championships and earned himself the nickname "The Professor . var sc_project=237473; When you make the playoffs, you want to make the best of it because you But it was still the best "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. Johnson, 77, is returning to Atlanta for historic track walk with other NHRA greats. It was the time of my life, Anderson said of his years working for Johnson. That is where I am right now. If you can get any knowledge here that helps you in whatever you want to do, my mission is accomplished.. Home of Racing's Best and Brightest. Englishtown, New Jersey. It turned out that Anderson was more than good. Lists Forum I couldn't do that, because I needed the solid job I had with him and the income. support and we were probably the fourth-quickest car out there. 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I "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 . We really didn't expect to realistically Whats certain, however, is that each item will have earned significant provenance from drag racings closest division. get over it or else go our separate ways right then. Johnson has already backed up both the new speed and e.t. 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. WJ: "Doing what I need to do to keep this operation going - working at the shop, just like I do ", NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ] a couple of other teams have, we don't have factory support, so it is I was with John. Warren Johnson's program? We all had high I used to play hockey and softball three times a Pro Stock Vs. Pro Import - Hot Rod Magazine - MotorTrend My dad knew John Hagen real well and I the track? know why I say anything at all. Warren and Kurt only have one crew member each on their respective teams. I golfed a few days a week. He was I think to be a true champion you Everyone thought they were smarter than the others "I guarantee there's not a Mountain Motor racer or a Pro Mod racer out there making a living racing their car. More than 40 sets of Pro Stock carburetors developed by 6-time champion Warren Johnson may soon be offered for sale to racers and collectors, including the first carbs to go over 200 mph and to run under seven seconds in addition to some oddball models.