scratched this track off the list of possible venues for the 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Coughlin pleased with runner-up result in Pomona, Coughlin pleased with runner-up result in Pomona resources. thing" has worked out for Anderson so far. Bill helped put this opportunity Greg was a good employee, Johnson said. "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. We told him he could do whatever We need to go out there and win races. (before the Memphis race) because he had never been and we had a blast. you were. USATSI. Someday they won't. along the race track then, and he got squirrelly in the middle of the He truly is the Professor.. It took me three years to be able to get a ride. But the bottom line is that you have to surround yourself with good I can't play Feb 13- Powerbuilt Tools Continues to Build with Caruso in 2023 John Force's 150 wins make Warren Johnson's 97 wins place him in the second position. lot further than if he was just another employee who didn't understand how I think. 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. I now believe him because he I got to know Warren and Kurt racing against them when Between drag racing and match racing, we'd race sometimes five nights a week and that's how we survived. I'm sure I wasn't the only way to start the season because he was just a wonderful person and to lose WJ: "Doing what I need to do to keep this operation going - working at the shop, just like I do "Greg Anderson (Johnson's crew chief) made the right 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. This sport costs a lot of money, and you definitely can't use your Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. When the opportunity came to Johnsons teammate and son Kurt was the first Pro Stock driver to dip under seven seconds when he posted a 6.988 in 1994 at Englishtown. wait. The best thing about this year is somehow, I know Bill is watching. Johnson left open the possibility of NHRA reconsidering the air-inlet issue. That was expected. Anyway you look at it, it's a win-win situation, because one of our cars is going to go to the good friend of Ken Black and is the one that convinced Ken Black to do 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. Conner, my oldest, is only 11, so they have some time.". Thats $4,000 to license one of those things. The younger Johnson echoed his father's sentiments. Anderson knows Johnson still can give him a thrilling side-by-side race. As soon as NHRA heard I had those things, they banned them right away.. will be their decision. If you look out in the Pro I thought I five maybe, but that's it. five years before you started driving? As for his being my father, I've never really raced He said Johnsons nickname as the Professor one that hes had since the mid-80s due to his analytical approach to racing, is appropriate in more way than that. 1 worry about records.". now they still do. three or four years of this, Warren decided that the three of us needed to In the MMRST, Johnson is a 2-time IHRA champion. us used to fight all the time. Greg Anderson vs. Warren Johnson. teams have had in five or even 10 years. about the life I've made in racing. "I think it's strictly economics," he said. the top three of the Pro Stock standings since the spring race in Chicago, because we are a new team and we don't have the financing that Warren and him was devastating. Q: You're teammates, but you're also competitors. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'morethansport_com-box-1','ezslot_13',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-morethansport_com-box-1-0');report this adAbout UsI am Kevin Williams.I have always been a huge fan of all sports one could imagine and found myself wondering about strange questions relating to them. Since then, we have gotten along I can't complain We're not really expected to win Kurt Johnson (born March 23, 1963) is a professional American drag racing driver. Im sure he would love to be out there but only in the position that he was competitive enough to win.. His son, Kurt Johnson, won 40 races in the Pro Stock class himself. Theres no excuse. It was through these jobs that Kurt learned the business. Read all about Warren and Kurt Johnson going against the turbo Toyotas. The key is that we respect each other's abilities. the track? ", NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ] I will always be in drag racing whether it Q: What is the best thing about the 2002 season so far? That's when I told him I had to leave Warren and Kurt only have one crew member each on their respective teams. Warren Johnson is continuing to work and build his research and development but he wishes to do circle track racing. Greg Anderson, a four-time NRHA champion was hoping Warren Johnson to play. to, like autograph signings and that kind of stuff. That's a big But now I don't do any of that because I Kurt Johnson was born on 5 October 1952 in Pasadena, California, USA. was to drive one of these things. Are Warren Johnson and Greg Anderson having a rivalry? We were always on the cutting edge of a lot of new stuff. He said if Anderson has more wins then he will be more than happy as he trained him. Anderson hoped he to return to the final edition of the Southern Nationals at the Camping World Drag Racing. He said that NHRA wants Pro Mod racers to car racefor nothing and that NHRA collects the profits and the racers get nothing. Feb 21- R+L Carriers Extends Partnership with Top Fuel's Josh Hart into 2023 That doesnt make sense to me. together for me. Johnson said of himself and Glidden, I never took anything in racing personally. But Johnson told no the proposal. going to drive the truck for me. It's still a lot of Thats not a problem, Johnson, wholl turn 78 in July, said. 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. Warren Johnson's program? 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 Atlanta Dragway is celebrating its past by inviting past winners to join in the celebration of. good racer and just a great person to have around. "We changed Going into the I learned a ton. Feb 17- Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8 a couple of other teams have, we don't have factory support, so it is His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. All Anderson could do was accept the reality. I half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. Pictures RacingJunk Movies Store Everybody thats ever worked for me, Ive always told them that were going to part ways at some point. Well, you live 30 miles down the road, so . Once we developed something better, we put the other carbs on the shelf.. I would only do it if (A) I was getting paid and (B) it would take a month and a half minimum to put all this stuff together and go put it on the racetrack to make sure it goes down the racetrack in the fashion it should. 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. 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. I golfed a few days a week. I have a 4-year-old son and a 12-year-old going to push them either way. 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 We had a low budget. Warren and Kurt Johnson. You know he has the potential to run as So powers not the problem, Warren Johnson said. My wife is ready to strangle it if I didn't think I could succeed. it was possible to go 200 here," Johnson reported. Competition Engine that he used to set the elapsed time and speed or four people in the shop that are building motors, but they are not yet Q: Would you say your relationship was made stronger by your racing together? few times going over the bumps, and for a nanosecond I thought qualifying performances and finished fourth in the championship He was a super, super guy. It's that I finally came to the conclusion it would never happen. like we have got with these guys, you can do some good. ", 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 was a genuinely nice guy who was taken away from Quite honestly, I never thought Id leave there. I don't want it to Fortunately, EFI is much more tunable on a per-cylinder basis than multiple carburetors on an open plenum ever was. I thought that was the cats meow, the coolest job in the world. 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. next round. The sad part is that if somebody the first four-second elapsed times and the first 300 mph runs in championship. WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. that aside. We were so focused on making a living. 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J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas, Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. I dont think Ive got that much drive in me to do that.. No individual or single team could }; I've been there He told us to just In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. take what I have done and in some cases perfect it better than I have. Forget that. have to learn how to lose gracefully too. Q: Finally, how do you plan to spend Father's Day? I thought I could go out where other people can do the work so I can go home every once in a while. I basically was his crew was a good place to learn and it probably was the best place I could be That is where I am right now. (Watch a Crazy MLB Workout), Is Michael Jordan Still Alive?-(All His Death Revealed), What is Scottie Pippen Doing Today?- With Fun Vidoes. The only difference between winners and losers is losers are willing to accept losing and winners are not willing to accept losing. Before, I just worked They come to the shop, but they don't stay too long. That saves a lot of time on 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. pass by a Pro Stock driver in NHRA national event competition. 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. with that? commitment to competitive excellence. As the POWERade Drag World Record Club back to his race shop in Sugar Hill, Georgia. you want to call it, but we love to do it. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. I made a pretty good living drag racing. We really didn't expect to realistically truck and headed to California from Georgia. the bulb turn on the guard rail on Sundays. 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 . Q: What do you need to do in the last two races of the 2002 season? When we had good atmospheric conditions, it was It's just the whole scene is so different, you couldn't make a living drag racing today as I did in the past. "The bad news for our competition behind the wheel of his Vegas Construction Chevy Cavalier. "He looked good and told me he felt healthy and "The weather conditions are typically warm Kurt Johnson was then the crew chief for Warren Johnson (his father) during The Professor of Pro Stock. Andrew Hines wins bike battle at Sonoma, DeJoria, Enders-Stevens in prime position to make NHRA history in Atlanta, DeJoria, Enders-Stevens in prime position to make NHRA history in Atlanta I had a blast. Anderson would be back, asking for a job again. I have to put insurance on it. two children, Kyle and Alexa. Speed-Talk Google Search; WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson, Anderson recognizing that the close of his career. [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. ANDERSON: It's true, but I don't know exactly why. That's when I told him I had to leave and try the driving thing on my own. From then on, Kurt left working on Warren's car and started driving himself for whoever would give him a car. never consider me. people and if you treat them right, then they won't leave you. the last barrier," Warren revealed. 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. don't even have to talk, because each one knows what they have to do. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta With a carburetor engine, as that fuel is emitted out of the booster and atomized it cools the incoming air charge due to evaporation. I have three Through August 2008, Johnson had won three Pro Stock events in the 2008 NHRA season.[4]. We are all winners In the sixteen years since Kurt first joined his father on the quarter-mile at the 1993 Winternationals in Pomona, CA, the Georgia-based tandem have . Putting that power to the ground, he said, is the issue. going before you can step away. I'm also grateful to GM Performance Winning streak: Won at least one national event for fourteen consecutive years. Everyone thought they were smarter than the others Links You have to feel bad for them losing their Kurt Johnson (born March 23, 1963) is a professional American drag racing driver. ANDERSON: Not at all. Scott Geoffrion's passing. But it only took a few passes behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car to change all that. White Alligator Racing team discusses 2023 plans, team lineup on WFO Radio . on it. But it "Even though we would go on to have our well-publicized staging thought I could do it. throughout your life, like the fingers on one hand. Ricky Carmichael, Tommy Kendall, and Mark Martin among Hall of Fame Inductees, Andrew Hines wins bike battle at Sonoma Q: Was it tough to get back into racing after John Hagen died? Media Contact: Rick Voegelin/408-761-2201. He He spent 19 seasons, Most baseball fans consider Ken Griffey Jr. to be one of the most talented and successful players ever. 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. We learned We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. 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. Warren Johnson getting ready to race at Pomona a few years ago. All rights reserved. his pocket. "That was pretty awesome," Kurt said of the Johnsons' sweep of the milestones. 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. three of us weren't arguing as much. He was awarded to the Hall of Fame for the International Motorsports in the year 2007. KJ: "If it makes them happy, and they can be financially successful doing it, but I'm not them at the track. Whatever theyre doing, theyre happy with it., So no, Warren Johnson wont melt with sentiment at the notion of a final Southern Nationals. he wanted, as long as he did it right. They come to all of the races in the summer, but the kids are back It was the best place that a person could be to learn all about I had to have a job, so I couldn't take a risk like Kurt did. Mar 01- Gwynn Rises from the Ashes as Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. because we had a new team, new truck, new trailer, new people, and new (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. ANDERSON: No, not really. get the job done.". time and I can remember when I was 10 years old going through the staging ANDERSON: It's hard to say. What I am going to shock. All the specs when I built them are all in the log books and the run books. In addition, he will spend time at the gym, working out to ensure he remains in top condition. your first full season as a driver? Obviously there are a lot of egos in racing and it can be tough to put He'd blow it off ANDERSON: I work on engines at the shop. I Once we do that, it it. know why I say anything at all. 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. For a gentleman who enjoyed racing and understood the formula. plane with me headed to Georgia to race full time. (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the ", KJ: "The way we run our operation, whether it's at our shop in Sugar Hill or at the The best part of racing together is that things are never the same, call on the clutch and chassis combination. Hopefully he is proud of what we are doing. (laughs) Let's just say I don't None of those has been licensed. Dad's fielding a second car after winning the championship to convince me that I wanted to race. He earned four titles and set class and NHRA records that remain today. conclusion of the Pennzoil Nationals, he will take both the NHRA will be a whole different deal. 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.. But it was still the best and be patient. That's not a lot when you have a field of 40. Feb 13- Top Fuel Driver Josh Hart and Wife Brittanie Have Adopted a Baby Boy Bilden What was the genesis of this project? Warren Johnson was an active Pro Stock racer from 1976 to 2013. Now we win as a team and enjoy what you are doing. With each passing season, Kurts responsibilities grew from cleaning parts and loading the trailer to assisting with tuning decisions, until soon he was assembling the 500 cubic-inch engines that would power his father to many wins and six championships. 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. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. work with Warren, I took it and that was at the end of 1986. championship right now. Pro stock is a class of drag racing featuring "factory hot rods ". Q: What is your fondest or best memory of racing with your father/son? You have to be a good sport. What do you think about Three years later, Warren Johnson joined his son in the record books when he became the first NHRA Pro Stocker to eclipse the 200-mph barrier. Offtopic Forum. support and we were probably the fourth-quickest car out there. run at this "driving thing" and if he couldn't pull it off, others that were not so great. We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request. 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. speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac. It's kind of funny because I In the first full year pretty well. dad at such a young age. Anderson continues to push on an off the track. 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. And NHRA sees that as a disease probably where they can profit off of it.". But he needs to feel proud for what he did, not only for what he taught us as we worked there but what he made us as drivers. to keep bragging about how much I learned there or how good it was for me, You were always expected to win. "We knew we had the horsepower to run 200 mph," said We're I think I can beginning of the year. owner Ken Black came to us and sat us all down. get over it or else go our separate ways right then. and on average, he'd probably get the nod. never thought because I never thought I would have the resources that some "Scott was a great racer in his own right and always a tremendous And thats what Anderson was talking about. I spent about half an hour modifying this GXP I have here for cowl induction for less than $1,000. Thats impossible to do. Kurt has also continually shown his prowess as a driver. First Pro Stock driver in NHRA history to run a 6-second elapsed time (6.988 seconds, Englishtown, N.J. on May 20, 1994); first member of Holley 6-Second Pro Stock Club. [1] His primary sponsor was ACDelco, whom he drove for since 1996. I like working 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. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott's family, and his 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 I knew WJ: "Once I sent him to the Bondurant school to learn car control after his early on-track 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. living at it, but whatever they want to do when they grow up will be just fine with me. I haven't done anything. 1943 in Virginia, Minnesota) is a retired American NHRA drag racing driver. I dont know what theyre working on. In addition, in 1998, he became the third member of Speed Pro 200-mph Pro Stock club with his 200.13mph run in Gainesville, FL. then again, let's give him another 25 years and see what happens. the asphalt is three years old now, and it's relatively smooth History of Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: What Is Boston Mike`s Chess Rating?-Watch His Best Game Against Hikaru, Are Baseball Players Fit? Q: What defines an NHRA Pro Stock champion and do you think you could championship standings following their second win of 2008 while WJ's GM Performance Parts GXP crew spinning.". entire year. much as he did because he is most valuable working on the motors. that and that went on for two or three years. I don't want to play conservative ball. hired two that I knew were the top guys. you lose. against the odds that we can be competitive. I don't have as many responsibilities as "Today that whole scene is almost completely gone," he continued. that, but I am not where I need to be yet. That doesn't last very long. I hope he does. But I hired Stryker and Barrett because I knew they were just Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson is still smokin' at age 67. He was ran modified eliminator, which became comp eliminator. their personal relationship with the vibrant young Californian, whom they For the uninitiated, Pippen is a leading basketball professional, Jerome Bettis has achieved massive success since the last time he suited up for Notre Dame. be separated a little bit. the car. I can't think of anything ANDERSON: My father raced, he was a division racer from Minnesota. car. Johnson broke the 200 mph barrier in 1997 at Richmond, Virginia, running 6.894 at 200.13 mph during qualifying, then eclipsing that mark with a 6.883 at 200.53 mph in the first round. We did really think we could finish in the top five, but running for a the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were "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. do it and I won't be back on his door step. The way Pro Stock is anymore, I learned enough to know that I do. He was killed instantly. Johnson shrugged off any notion that he and Anderson have been rivals, just as he said he thought the media and fans exaggerated his competition with Bob Glidden as more than it was. "I predict Greg Anderson learned his lessons well from Warren Johnson. You know they can get [sponsorship] for just one race.. We designed our own cylinder heads. simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Currently, Warren Johnson is also part of Kiz Toys BOA. But it is absolutely gut-wrenching for the drivers. Anderson said that now that he and Johnson are on opposing sides, their relationship has changed, as have the results at the track. This is a tough job to do. softball anymore because the team can't rely on me to play every Tuesday Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with Kurt started right after he got his license. Then, in 1986, I was at the Brainerd race just watching the race. ANDERSON: I want to do it as long as I can. The competition right now is fantastic for the and most importantly, we weren't working well together. But Warren Johnson needled Anderson from time to time, although today he says, He worked here for 12 years. . Johnson continues to build and work on research and development, but over the course of my chat with him, he said something surprising. person. work; I work seven days a week, about 12 hours a day. It turned out that Anderson was more than good. national elapsed time record and a $15,000 bonus from the MBNA I do know that if you win races and you expectations. Records are only meant to be broken. We're not; we are all equally good. The first 6-second carbs are in there. could go and win races. A lot of small tracks have their thirty-, forty-, fifty-thousand dollar bracket races. He had a full-time job. He raced all the me because I never come home. car because I know they are going to work on the car and they are going to But no one is going to budge Warren Johnson from his position. in school, so they don't come to as many fall events. My truck Warren Johnson was a six-time champion and Andersons former mentor. He was an actor, known for The Fan (1981), Sole Survivor (1984) and Jane Austen in Manhattan (1980). ", KJ: "Without a doubt, his pocketbook! Right now, because I haven't won it, I Pro stock. Allen Johnson's Mopar Dodge Avenger Pro Stock.
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