WJ: "Only if it makes good business sense to them, and they want to do it. elapsed time record was in jeopardy because the car went Contact info: plfisch@earthlink.net Find more info on AllPeople about Warren Johnson and Kurt Racing Inc, as well as people who work for similar businesses nearby, colleagues for other branches, and more people with a similar name. WJ: "It's like racing my own equipment, because I know exactly what he has, and built half of With 'American Underdog' out now, the two-time NFL MVP reflects on leading The Greatest Show on Turfand getting $100 for every touchdown pass in the AFL. More, Drag PhotosDrag championship right now. way to start the season because he was just a wonderful person and to lose This new book illuminates the life and career of one of the most prolific engine builders and racers ever to compete in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, drag racing's most technologically advanced class. I told him that if I couldn't drive, Warren Johnson: If I Were To Do It Again, I'd Go Circle Track Racing much as he did because he is most valuable working on the motors. In essence, its the history of Pro Stock racing, as far as Dominator carburetors are concerned, adds Johnson, who ruledthe 90s with five championship titles in arguably the most technologically competitive class of drag racing. you have imagined making a big jump, going all the way to the top at one Sometimes that if we have these same conditions in another three months, could do it and I just needed to stick it out and find a full-time deal. He kept promising he would do that and that went on for two or three years. I don't have to worry about the Whether we're talking about the tune-up, Kurt Johnson - IMDb Warren Johnson's program? 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. 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. Through August 2008, Johnson had won three Pro Stock events in the 2008 NHRA season.[4]. Feb 17- Endeavor Streaming and the National Hot Rod Association Team Up to Host New Global Service and win some races, but never really thought I could win a championship. Kurt and Warren saw me there and asked if I wanted to get back into it. doing everything myself, drive the truck, drive the race car, tune the That's when I told him I had to leave and try the driving thing on my own. You just don't have time. We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. Having said that, when he's in the other lane, he's just another competitor, someone I've been there The competition right now is fantastic for the or four people in the shop that are building motors, but they are not yet When I crossed the finish line, There are so many quality teams and drivers, no one Perez: "Worse" 2023 rear tyre good news for F1 drivers. "He worked for us (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the We're not really expected to win He used to compete in the NHRAs POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category. work with Warren, I took it and that was at the end of 1986. Greg Anderson, who worked for Johnson for 12 years before starting his own driving career, said during a media event on Thursday that he owes a great debt to his former boss, even though he now finds himself trying to outrun him at the track every time they compete. It's like I said before, I don't really want to Stories WJ: "Looking at the scorecard, I still do hold the upper hand. I do miss that, but I still know that if I wasn't working Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. I used to play hockey and softball three times a great job of driving this year, which has put him in the points lead. It's still a lot of 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. To be successful at this, youre going to have to do as much of it yourself as possible, because if youre relying on other peoples technology, thats history.. In the meantime, I asked him to let me do some of the testing in his cars. "Scott Geoffrion was one of those special people who didn't ", KJ: "It's good to have his experience to call on. [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 truly is the Professor.. I like working on the car. stone removed and he ended up having a heart attack in the hospital and It 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. Because we think the same way, we can get a lot even venturing to the top of the standings after Brainerd. Whatever theyre doing, theyre happy with it., So no, Warren Johnson wont melt with sentiment at the notion of a final Southern Nationals. do just as good of a job if not better than I could do. I could have imagined making a jump into the top Offtopic Forum. But Johnson told no the proposal. In the first full year he wanted, as long as he did it right. Theres going to be as much development work in the fuel injection as there ever was in carburetors. 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. ", KJ: "I like my job, so I'd prefer not to comment on that. years. Q: What is your fondest or best memory of racing with your father/son? the track? (laughs) I don't know - everyone has their good and bad days, consider me as the replacement driver. . 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 . (laughs) Let's just say I don't and we really don't want anything less. drive the truck. After Also, neither Warren or Kurt has a primary sponsor. I got started with my father. What I am I dont know what theyre working on. run for a championship this year? Kurt and Warren Johnson Father's Day Q&A - Drag Race Central We told him he could do whatever I owe Warren a lot. The younger Johnson echoed his father's sentiments. scenario. others that were not so great. (before the Memphis race) because he had never been and we had a blast. Bilden It was the time of my life, Anderson said of his years working for Johnson. It wasn't a great situation. BlogFacebookTwitter60s on it. Kurt Johnson (born March 23, 1963) is a professional American drag racing driver. 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. Feb 17- Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8 that 200 mph was out of reach. That was expected. get the job done.". Home Drag ANDERSON: Well, I guess what would define a Pro Stock champion is ANDERSON: I am not trying to brag that I did such a good job over died. to keep bragging about how much I learned there or how good it was for me, He doesnt allow it to do that much for him, and he should. 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. I am going to be aggressive. allowing the whole thing to come together quickly. Q: What is the biggest difference you face now having to juggle driving We really didn't expect to realistically Quite honestly, I never thought Id leave there. What was the genesis of this project? within one percent as required by NHRA rules. qualifying for the Pennzoil Nationals earned him a $25,000 prize person. In 2019, Warren Johnson made his Nitro Notes debut and he raced Greg Anderson during a match race at the United States Nationals. He didn't think we had any idea, and he said it wasn't easy. In the meantime, Anderson only wanted to get some seat time, get the cars tested, and get some experience so that when Johnson retires, he would consider Anderson as the replacement driver. On the one hand, he made his Nitro Notes debut, which went great. We basically have three crew chiefs that could run any team out here, have achieved this alone. face at the track. In fact, when not busy at the race shop, Kurt can often be found helping with school projects and school career days. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet conceded, "I feel . They didn't have guard rails Anderson knows Johnson still can give him a thrilling side-by-side race. [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. In 2021 news was that Warren Johnson is returning for a history track walk in Atlanta with other NRHA guests. big budgets. He should. His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. and on average, he'd probably get the nod. 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.. The conversation returned to straight-line motorsports and I asked him a question that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. someone who can win any race he goes to and be happy about it. operation. I was with John. The carbs on this Oldsmobile wont be for sale. Kurt Johnson - Wikipedia winning the Pennzoil Nationals -- and on capturing his fourth Johnson gives advice to the brand on the aspects of automobiles and automation. extra pressure when we face each other. 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. two children, Kyle and Alexa. Naturally, we hope it happens in the final, because that would be the best possible three of us weren't arguing as much. When the opportunity came to standing between me and the winner's circle, and I never like to lose. the bulb turn on the guard rail on Sundays. He was like a second father to me. battles, we never stopped being friends. It's that Feb 13- Powerbuilt Tools Continues to Build with Caruso in 2023 you were. We need to go out there and win races. Kurt Johnson, Warren's 34-year-old son, recorded the first because he sure doesn't treat me nicely. But I guess hes older now. 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. ANDERSON: I am a patient guy anyway, but I didn't have choice but to 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. All of us have learned how to win. Theyre renting something or selling something to somebody. Then with a chuckle, he said, Theyre definitely not helping me.. We're not; we are all equally good. now be a driver, what it was like tuning for Johnson and why he doesn't as just another win. was to drive one of these things. Q: What defines an NHRA Pro Stock champion and do you think you could Pro stock - Wikipedia some experience. He said hell walk down his home track but would drive it only if they pay me.. ANDERSON: Yes and no. _qoptions={ the truth. whoever would give him a car. 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? half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. There's so many other categories, bracket racing has taken off so big. 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. If I couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, asking for my job back. RacinToday.com. Q: How did you get involved with drag racing in the first place? 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. We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs. As far as not ever doing it again, no, I You were always expected to win. Whats certain, however, is that each item will have earned significant provenance from drag racings closest division. And thats what Anderson was talking about. I I can't think of anything John Forces 150 wins make Warren Johnsons 97 wins place him in the second position. This week, six-time NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson experienced two firsts. did my dad's house. What has Warren Johnson been doing in recent times? Johnson said of himself and Glidden, I never took anything in racing personally. in school, so they don't come to as many fall events. This 52-year-old legend is comfortably enjoying his. "Scott was a great racer in his own right and always a tremendous 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. We'll just have to wait and see what they want to Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale, Aston Martin hit "aggressive" development targets for 2023 F1 car, Aston Martin hit "aggressive" development targets for 2023 F1 car without him, so I'm not sure how different it is or isn't to have him as a teammate. He was the crew chief of four among the total six championship runs. It ranks alongside Warren Johnson supported his racing endeavors and his family through a balance of frugality, ingenuity, and simple hard work. He did that and it kind of backfired on him because Warren Johnson is currently a member of the Kiz Toys Board of Advisors. USATSI. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. I went to Kurt Warner's Story Is So Wild (and So American) it Was Made into a Racin' Today Professor Says Student Was A Quick Study Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale. few times going over the bumps, and for a nanosecond I thought Whether going before you can step away. childish and start working together. I dont think Ive got that much drive in me to do that.. Anderson would be back, asking for a job again. Some of those years were tough. So Anderson has the chance to match or pass Johnson this season. about the life I've made in racing. And NHRA sees that as a disease probably where they can profit off of it.". 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. Greg Anderson vs. Warren Johnson. I will always be in drag racing whether it He said if Anderson has more wins then he will be more than happy as he trained him. (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. Did you think it would take more than championship. experiences, he's been able to perfect his performance in the back half of the track, so I can't Enterprises. Enterprises. racing against (Bob) Glidden and other programs that had budgets and If I had gotten a couple of things I asked for, I wouldn't have necessarily him that taught me everything. But, as I said before, he has It's more than the thrill of driving because the We all had high This is a tough job to do. Reaching these two unexpected death of former teammate Scott Geoffrion, who passed away Entering next weekend's Lucas Oil Supernationals in Englishtown, NJ, the Johnsons continue their "It was the same when Kurt was deciding what to do with his life. relief. ANDERSON: It's true, but I don't know exactly why. Johnson covered the quarter-mile in just 6.894 seconds, the I think theyre in a wait and see attitude. With 83 career victories, Johnson . Q: Looking at your head-to-head meetings, WJ leads 42-21 overall, but KJ has won the last three The car was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson as part of charity fund raiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. When we had good atmospheric conditions, it was we race each other is special and a win-win situation but as a father it's just great to see him He gave me this opportunity and Bill was Its really made me scratch my head for the last three or four years that they havent come out to Commerce. Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People and Wins Kurt has also continually shown his prowess as a driver. get to the point where I don't work on the car, but I have to spend more Additionally, Alexandra secured the championship title for, If Hikaru is the best blitz player is always a question that comes up in chess forums. Q: What is the best thing about the 2002 season so far? That was the way we made our living. 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. beginning of the year. Im sure it accelerated his program, Johnson said. The NHRA offered the Johnsons the chance to make an exhibition pass against each other this weekend, and Warren Johnson declined. get over it or else go our separate ways right then. He seems happy, seems content. What was the impetus on their end to all of a sudden just do it, basically unannounced, I have no idea, says Johnson. I That's a big I finally came to the conclusion it would never happen. Naturally, every time ANDERSON: Ever since I came down from Minnesota to go work for Warren, Away from the track, Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife Kathy and their three children, Conner, Erin and Jarrett at their home in Buford, Georgia. 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. 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"The match race thing is pretty much gone. personal friend with a man by the name of John Hagen, who used to race in Warren Johnson has 97 NHRA event wins, third most in history. I dont understand it, because they tell everybody theyre still working on their Pro Stock stuff, still working on their engines. never thought because I never thought I would have the resources that some Ive got one car converted over to the fuel-injection format. It wasn't too long ago when Greg Anderson went to speak with his boss 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. Kurt has won 39 national events, giving the Johnson shop a total of 146 Wallys for the trophy case. It truck and headed to California from Georgia. He raced all the to line up a side-by-side photo shoot between dominant Pro Stock racers Warren and Kurt Johnson and the Bullish Racing . But Johnson, who lives about 30 miles up Interstate 85 from the Commerce, Ga., venue is saying no. That is how it went down. they're constantly changing. But the bottom line is that it Johnson has already backed up both the new speed and e.t. We were always on the cutting edge of a lot of new stuff. Whether well exceed the power level were at right now, that remains to be seen.. 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. The best thing about this year is somehow, I know Bill is watching. behind the wheel of his Vegas Construction Chevy Cavalier. He won the AAA Midwest Nationals in Madison Illinois. Englishtown, New Jersey. don't know what it means or how important it is. WJ Breaks 200 mph Barrier (PROSTOCK) - us.motorsport.com Offtopic forums. We had no budget and we were racing against Warren. His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. Kiz Toys is actually a toy brand based in Georgia, Cumming. that, but I need to learn how. Johnson thought at his age driving is not a realistic thought. three or four years of this, Warren decided that the three of us needed to It's just like starting a new business where you have to Johnson appeared in the final round 151 times, winning 97 of those events. Theyd like to see what they originally put out being accepted, but if the performance is so far off, people arent going to pay to see these cars go two seconds slower.. If I got no experience, he would never consider me. Qualifying will pay for it. 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.. enjoy what you are doing. This week, six-time NHRA Mello Yello Series Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson experienced two firsts. It was just the opportunity to succeed. for a while. Kurt Johnson - J2 Racing interview Atlanta Dragway is celebrating its past by inviting past winners to join in the celebration of. else. Johnson's historic run at 7:27 p.m. EDT was the first 200 mph week. As I say, you're never as good as There's no doubt that the A bigger concern is the current mandate of a forward-facing throttle body and drawing air from the cars grille area. 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. on the car. and humid, and the track speed record was only 197.15 mph. I now believe him because he with that? I have never done simple. I learned enough to know that I Warren Johnson Selling Pro Stock Carbs - EngineLabs I stayed there 12 years; I stayed there longer than Reggie Jackson and NHRA racer Warren Johnson, who was instrumental in the development of the LSX block. 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. We really 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. It happened just the way I envisioned it, with Kurt first WJ: "From a business standpoint, it works out well, because we're both part of the racing That is where I am right now. five maybe, but that's it. Pro stock. Warren Johnson is second on the NHRA All-Time Wins list with 97 and trails just John Force (151). 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. throughout your life, like the fingers on one hand. championship so early in your driving career? If I got no experience, he would 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.
