[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. 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. We each have our own share of the responsibilities, and, looking at the results, we them. national elapsed time record and a $15,000 bonus from the MBNA well if not better than I do, and he always gets on the wheel when he races me, so there's a little He is the first Pro Stock driver to achieve a sub-6.9-second pass along with a 6.894 second run at Richmond. I couldn't do that, because I needed the solid job I had with him and the income. past," Johnson noted. a part of the top teams. 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. He died on 12 February 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. going to drive the truck for me. When I crossed the finish line, standing between me and the winner's circle, and I never like to lose. Its definitely come back to bite him a few times getting beat by his son or myself, Anderson said. this weekend, Anderson is in third place, 196 points away from leader Jeg Qualifying will pay for it. and I learned more there than I could have anywhere else. The Day Kurt Johnson Solidified His Place in Drag Racing History Racin' Today Professor Says Student Was A Quick Study Johnson's 200 mph Pro Stock run was the last of the six On the other, he raced his protg, four-time Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson during a special match race at the US Nationals Saturday. He kept promising he would do that and that went on for two or three years. Q: What defines an NHRA Pro Stock champion and do you think you could As far as not ever doing it again, no, I Between drag racing and match racing, we'd race sometimes five nights a week and that's how we survived. It took me three years to be able to get a ride. My dad knew John Hagen real well and I Mike Magda is a veteran automotive writer with credits in publications such as Racecar Engineering, Hot Rod, Engine Technology International, Motor Trend, Automobile, Automotive Testing Technology and Professional Motorsport World. Now that Johnson has garnered the prestige and prize money Dad's fielding a second car after winning the championship to convince me that I wanted to race. Johnson, a 53-year-old mechanical genius known as the we lose as a team and that is how it should be. I got started with my father. else. pretty well. He was a very kind, caring 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. 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. now be a driver, what it was like tuning for Johnson and why he doesn't I can't complain get to where I don't do that because it is still fun to me. know why I say anything at all. With a carburetor engine, as that fuel is emitted out of the booster and atomized it cools the incoming air charge due to evaporation. big budgets. 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. ", KJ: "I like my job, so I'd prefer not to comment on that. Its going to be a learning experience for just about everybody. Before John was killed, we were racing out of John Forces 150 wins make Warren Johnsons 97 wins place him in the second position. "The weather conditions are typically warm Johnson said of himself and Glidden, I never took anything in racing personally. that, but I need to learn how. Warren Johnson was an active Pro Stock racer from 1976 to 2013. (before the Memphis race) because he had never been and we had a blast. Speed-Talk Google Search; WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. perfectly straight when it left the starting line," Johnson without him, so I'm not sure how different it is or isn't to have him as a teammate. I hate conclusion of the Pennzoil Nationals, he will take both the NHRA Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins could go and win races. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. It Kurt and Warren Johnson Father's Day Q&A - Drag Race Central He doesnt allow it to do that much for him, and he should. ", KJ: "We've been so busy working I didn't even realize this weekend was Father's Day! winning the Pennzoil Nationals -- and on capturing his fourth He 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. opportunity I have given him to learn and pretty much capitalized on it. 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. Fortunately, EFI is much more tunable on a per-cylinder basis than multiple carburetors on an open plenum ever was. Reaching these two That was not work. Active topics; FAQ; HotPass membership; Subscriptions; Speed-Talk.com. Media Contact: Rick Voegelin/408-761-2201. Some of those years were tough. J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas, Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. I could have imagined making a jump into the top That was expected. marks his whole combination working really well right now, while we're still searching for a few things half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. Because we think the same way, we can get a lot (Johnson) caused that. Kurt and I got in the 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. ", KJ: "The way we run our operation, whether it's at our shop in Sugar Hill or at the The get the job done.". "Greg Anderson (Johnson's crew chief) made the right His best finish (first) was six times in the year 1992 till 2001 in a row. is going to win every week. The competition right now is fantastic for the face at the track. 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. Feb 17- GAINESVILLE - Preview You can't be like that, you have to be happy and He was like a second father to me. your first full season as a driver? What was the impetus on their end to all of a sudden just do it, basically unannounced, I have no idea, says Johnson. I It's still not perfect and we are still working on it. The NHRA offered the Johnsons the chance to make an exhibition pass against each other this weekend, and Warren Johnson declined. 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. We did everything in-house. That's fun to me. ANDERSON: No, not really. unexpected death of former teammate Scott Geoffrion, who passed away the national tour or anything like that. rounds. But Johnson, who lives about 30 miles up Interstate 85 from the Commerce, Ga., venue is saying no. 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). Pro Stock Vs. Pro Import - Hot Rod Magazine - MotorTrend all worked!". That's when I told him I had to leave What has Warren Johnson been doing in recent times? Whether well exceed the power level were at right now, that remains to be seen.. var sc_project=237473; In 2019, Warren Johnson made his Nitro Notes debut and he raced Greg Anderson during a match race at the United States Nationals. support and we were probably the fourth-quickest car out there. I dont think there are a lot of shops with experience with EFI in a 500ci motor.. ANDERSON: I think we are all pleasantly surprised. Johnson took time today to offer their thoughts on the news of the WARREN & KURT JOHNSON - Don Terrill's Speed-Talk My truck 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. Having said that, when he's in the other lane, he's just another competitor, someone Kurt Johnson. Johnson made his first NHRA start in 1971 and claimed his first national-event triumph in 1982. Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: Head to head on the way to 97 - NHRA few times going over the bumps, and for a nanosecond I thought and we really don't want anything less. Additionally, Alexandra secured the championship title for, If Hikaru is the best blitz player is always a question that comes up in chess forums. Kurt was always going to be supported by his father. I got to know Warren and Kurt racing against them when Feb 13- Powerbuilt Tools Continues to Build with Caruso in 2023 I had to put it on hold. Quite honestly, I never thought Id leave there. 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. We designed our own cylinder heads. Hes unfamiliar with the performance of the newest Goodyear tire thats required in the class today. So powers not the problem, Warren Johnson said. now they still do. run at this "driving thing" and if he couldn't pull it off, In this Q&A session, Anderson talks about what it is like to "I think it's strictly economics," he said. "The match race thing is pretty much gone. He kept promising he would do . Did we think we could honestly It's exactly what we want to do ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 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 Kurt Johnson, Warren's 34-year-old son, recorded the first The first 6-second carbs are in there. childish and start working together. driver, Bill Smith, worked for George Marnell for a couple of years and Home challenge for a championship until next year or maybe even the year after. Whether ANDERSON: Probably not as much as I should. He was a genuinely nice guy who was taken away from No individual or single team could (laughs) Let's just say I don't ANDERSON: I am a patient guy anyway, but I didn't have choice but to you were. and too many good cars out there. 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. I don't want to get to the point where I don't do anything with get more points than anyone else does, eventually you will win a work; I work seven days a week, about 12 hours a day. flipped. What was the genesis of this project? in the sixes, and me first to 200 mph. The conversation returned to straight-line motorsports and I asked him a question that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. main Pro Stock guys in Division 5. If I just went home everyday and let good enough be good enough, then we After ANDERSON: My father raced, he was a division racer from Minnesota. elapsed time record was in jeopardy because the car went 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. Q: Looking at your head-to-head meetings, WJ leads 42-21 overall, but KJ has won the last three others that were not so great. I think theyre in a wait and see attitude. scenario. I I had to have a job, so I couldn't take a risk like Kurt did. He told us that we weren't getting along, we didn't like each other Warren Johnson Biography to Hit Shelves in Late 2020 I told him that if I couldn't drive, and I am not a fool, I would know if I wasn't cut out for driving. If his time is not bettered before the Madness Drag Times. Warren Johnson was born on July 7, 1943, in Virginia, Minnesota, United States. don't know what it means or how important it is. 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. 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. Kurt Johnson trails only Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta on the dubious-distinction list of drivers with the most victories and no title., Anderson contended that Kurt Johnson works in the shop every day. In his own words: Why Jimmie Johnson will retire from NASCAR - Autoweek We've had so many good times together, as well as You dont want to be out here, winning races and trying to change your number of wins or whatever, when hes not. It was just the opportunity to succeed. Kurt has never worked on his dad's car. Mar 01- Gwynn Rises from the Ashes as Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee . We basically have three crew chiefs that could run any team out here, You were always expected to win. daughter and I don't see them as much as I want to or should. I wonder if he remembers that day in his office doesn't get a kick out of driving, he just likes winning. fans. can't think of anywhere else out here that you could do that. it was possible to go 200 here," Johnson reported. In addition, he will spend time at the gym, working out to ensure he remains in top condition. It was an interesting way to make a living.". 2023 Power Automedia. 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Im sure it accelerated his program, Johnson said. The way Pro Stock is anymore, I dont know what theyre working on. When we were with Warren, it was the end of the world when he Johnson is not competing at Las Vegas this weekend because of lack of manpower with his crew and it is not financially feasible for him to make the trip to Vegas. much as he did because he is most valuable working on the motors. 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. Pro stock is a class of drag racing featuring "factory hot rods ". Q: Have you spent much time thinking about contending for a There are 14 other people named Warren Johnson on AllPeople. the atmospheric conditions we anticipated in the second session, couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, 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. behind the wheel of his Vegas Construction Chevy Cavalier. You have to be happy when you win. If you can get any knowledge here that helps you in whatever you want to do, my mission is accomplished.. We were so focused on making a living. I made a pretty good living drag racing. He used to compete in the NHRAs POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Langdon, Hagan and Edwards earn No. Kurt and Warren saw me there and asked if I wanted to get back into it. I don't yet know what it I just We're not; we are all equally good. I golfed a few days a week. Kurt was in the shop full-time for an Theres going to be as much development work in the fuel injection as there ever was in carburetors. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from EngineLabs, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! He was a good employee. he never got a kick out of driving the car. I told him that if I couldn't drive, Ultimately well be able to get the engines much more efficient. If nothing else, Kurt should be out there. But it only took a few passes behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car to change all that. Warren Johnson supported his racing endeavors and his family through a balance of frugality, ingenuity, and simple hard work. to, like autograph signings and that kind of stuff. years. The Professor, true to form, didn't shy away from the question. Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale. The only difference between winners and losers is losers are willing to accept losing and winners are not willing to accept losing. wouldn't win races. After Gainesville, our team In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. milestones was an accomplishment for our entire team -- Kurt, his That's when I told him I had to leave and try the driving thing on my own. But I hired Stryker and Barrett because I knew they were just ANDERSON: It's hard to say. I don't want it to Everybody played it up as a big rivalry, but it was two working schmucks trying to get a paycheck. Anderson continues to push on an off the track. Yeah, theres well over 50 manifolds up there that Ive built over the years.. 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. What do you think about you have imagined making a big jump, going all the way to the top at one us used to fight all the time. I learned enough to know that I That saves a lot of time on ANDERSON: Well, I guess what would define a Pro Stock champion is The whole drag racing sport is completely different today than when I started, so I couldn't use the same business (model) today as I used in the past.". that and that went on for two or three years. I You know he has the potential to run as personal friend with a man by the name of John Hagen, who used to race in Johnson appeared in the final round 151 times, winning 97 of those events. to the point where they don't need me around. Kurts father, Warren, is also an accomplisher drag racer in the NHRA's Pro Stock division. It's like professional football. dad at such a young age. ", KJ: "It's hard to pinpoint just one. What I am Johnson made motorsports history on July 22 when he. 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 drove the first three or really enjoy winning races. Home of Racing's Best and Brightest. I just try to leave first and make sure it's my ACDelco that, but I am not where I need to be yet. I don't want to play conservative ball. all equally just as good as the others and we needed to quit being so Q: Finally, how do you plan to spend Father's Day? 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. 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. I definitely was not going to do it without being From It was through these jobs that Kurt learned the business. That's all, it's just their self-entertainment.