Saving his best for last, WJ powers to the No. 1 position in Chicago

Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

After slotting in the third position during Friday's qualifying sessions for the Carquest Auto Parts Nationals, Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team began working on a way to improve their position during Saturday's final two attempts. Given the high temperatures and humidity facing the racers at Route 66 Raceway, there was some doubt as to whether he could realistically accomplish his goal.

However, Johnson showed his intentions during his first run on Saturday, recording the second quickest pass of the round at 6.773 seconds with a top speed of 203.71 mph, which further secured his third-place standing. Returning for his fourth and final attempt, Johnson faced conditions that had worsened slightly since his prior run. Responding to the challenge, he powered through the quarter-mile in 6.762-seconds at 204.08 mph, edging his son Kurt for the top spot by seven thousandths of a second, a performance that even somewhat surprised "The Professor".

"We had expected to run at least as well as we had in the morning session, given that we were using a new engine in our GM Performance Parts Pontiac with only one prior pass on it, which came earlier today. We had made some adjustments to the tune-up because it was off a little bit on that first lap, but we honestly didn't feel it would run as well as it did, given the increased heat and humidity. I guess we don't know as much about this as we think we do!

"As I've said in the past, we've spent a year developing this new DRCE III engine, and its really starting to pay off. It's a result of a lot of hard work by the entire team, both here at the track and back at our shop in Sugar Hill. We knew it had potential, it was just a matter of extracting it. Fortunately, today everything worked in our favor.

"If the forecast holds and the weather remains the same, we should have a good baseline for tomorrow. However, we will still have to make the right calls and adjustments for whatever the track and the weather throws at us. After all, our work here has just begun."

Fast Facts on Warren Johnson's No. 1 qualifying performance in Joliet:

-This is the 135th No. 1 qualifying performance of WJ's career, which is more than any other driver in NHRA history.

-This is Warren's second No. 1 qualifying performance at Route 66 Raceway, as he was the No. 1 qualifier at the inaugural event here in 1998.

-This is the 34th time in their respective careers that Warren and Kurt have qualified 1-2, second time this season, and second time at Route 66 Raceway.

-This is WJ's fifth No. 1 qualifying performance of the 2005 season, which is the most in the Pro Stock category.

KJ's Up and Down Day Places Him Second in Chicago

Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

Kurt Johnson entered the second day of qualifying for the Carquest Auto Parts Nationals with two specific goals. First, the ACDelco Cobalt pilot wanted to improve his starting position from Friday by one spot in order to capture the 24th No. 1 qualifying position of his NHRA career. Second, he looked to score his fourth win in the King Demon Crown, the annual Pro Stock all-star race pitting the top eight qualifiers from the previous year.

Facing rival and provisional No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson in the opening round of the special event, Johnson put himself in a good position to accomplish both items, combining a nearly-perfect .001 reaction time with a lighting-fast 6.769-second, 204.08 mph pass to trailer Anderson, who had come in as the No. 1 seed. This not only advanced KJ to the semifinals of the $50,000 race, but also ascended him to the No. 1 qualifying position for Sunday's final eliminations.

Unfortunately, the next round would not be as kind. First, he encountered speed-robbing tire shake in his run against David Connolly, slowing him to a 6.835-second elapsed time and allowing his opponent to narrowly edge him at the finish line. Moments later, Johnson's father recorded a 6.762-second pass to claim the top starting position, with Kurt slotted in the second position.

Despite the initial disappointment, the Johnson crew quickly realized that it had been a productive day, and that they had put themselves in a good position to claim their 29th NHRA national event win.

"Naturally, we're disappointed that we didn't win the Demon, but, in the overall picture, it's been a good day. We leave tonight knowing we have an ACDelco Cobalt that can win the race tomorrow.

"Unfortunately, things just didn't work out for us today. The way this car is set up is entirely new since we replaced quite a few components in the back before we came here. I guess we've still got a few things to learn. It looked good on the first run yesterday afternoon, was a little slow in the evening session, and shone brightly on the first run today.

"We just never figured it would react the way it did this afternoon. It was ugly. It just locked the clutch up and spun and shook, slowing us down by seven hundredths and costing us the race. But that's behind us now. Today's performance put us in a very good position for tomorrow's final eliminations. We'll take a look at our notes, see what we need to do and get it hooked up. The bottom line is that if we all do our jobs, it will be our day."

BAZEMORE FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2003

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

JOLIET, Ill. (June 11, 2005) - For the first time since Reading, Pa., in 2003, Whit Bazemore failed to qualify the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car for a POWERade Drag Racing Series event.

Bazemore, who has won twice this season and led the Funny Car point standings through three events, struggled at Route 66 Raceway this weekend in each of the four qualifying rounds, posting a 5.032/308.35 in the first session, which was good for No. 14 at the time. He followed that up with a 4.930/318.77, which dropped him out of the running as the other teams stepped up.

His consistent 4.976/311.85 and 4.929/317.49 passes in the next two rounds did not improve his position, and the two-time U.S. Nationals champion and three-time winner in Joliet found himself out of contention for a fourth victory here.

"It's part of the sport," he said at the end of the last pass. "Unfortunately, you win and you lose and sometimes you DNQ. I feel bad for the guys on the Matco Tools team and, of course, all our supporters and all the Matco Tool distributors here, but (crew chief) Lee Beard is making a huge effort, our whole team is.

"There's a bug in the car. It's a feeling of failure that you never want to feel, but when you play the game sometimes you get it.

"We're plenty frustrated. The car just didn't respond at all," a disappointed Bazemore continued back in the pits. "We had the whole team in our pits, with Beard and all the other crew chiefs on the team: Dan Olson, Ed McCulloch, Zippy (Mike Neff). We tuned the damned thing up where it really should have hauled ass, but it didn't seem to make much difference.

"We're not in a very good place right now as a team, but we've got great people, great support. We need to keep our heads up and work through it. It's not a sport that you're going to be successful in if you quit when you're down, and we've been down many times, and we always manage to come back stronger than we were before. I'm sure this time we'll make the right effort and we'll come back stronger and maybe we'll add to our win tally this year."

Ellis ends qualifying at No. 3

Courtesy Jerry Battle


EIGHTH ANNUAL NHRA CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NATIONALS
ROUTE 66 RACEWAY - JOLIET, ILL.
JUNE 9-12, 2005

QUALIFYING:
Session 1 Friday: 7.150 seconds at 185.66 mph (# 2)
Session 2 Friday: 7.349 seconds at 172.96 mph (# 2)
Session 1 Saturday: 7.171 seconds at 182.82 mph (# 2)
Session 2 Saturday: 10.439 seconds at 77.86 mph (# 3)


Ellis ends qualifying at No. 3


JOLIET, Ill. (June 11, 2005) – Chip Ellis, aboard the G Squared/S&S-powered Buell, finished qualifying in the No. 3 position on the qualifying ladder for the eighth annual NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals.

In the opening qualifying session on Friday, Ellis put his G2/S&S Buell on cruise control and covered the Route 66 Raceway quarter-mile in 7.150 seconds at 185.66 mph. This placed the Americus, Ga., driver in the No. 2 spot, a position he held until the final session.

In the second Friday session, which was delayed by rain, only one of the 16 qualifiers improved their first session times. The humidity apparently played havoc with the Pro Stock Motorcycles tune-ups.

In the heat of Saturday's first sessions, Ellis returned to form reeling off a pass of 7.171 seconds at 182.82 mph.

In Saturday's second session and the final qualifying pass of the event, Ellis started strong but shut down and coasted to the finish line, when Ellis was unable to shift into third gear.

Out of the No. 3 spot, Ellis will square off against the No. 14 qualifier Matt Guidera in tomorrow's first round of eliminations. Guidera made the field on the final pass when he ran a 7.260 second run.

"Our qualifying was up and down," reflected Ellis following qualifying. "I was consistent on the lights and that will help tomorrow. We all miss the leadership of Ken Johnson but I've got a great guy in Rick Maney filling in for him. We're going after them tomorrow, one round at a time. Hopefully, each round will be better than the last."

G Squared Motorsports is without the services of longtime employee Ken Johnson, who seriously injured his left knee in an accident last weekend. In his place, G2 is tuning by committee with team owners George Bryce and George Smith, along with Chip Ellis and Rick Maney, contributing to readying the motorcycle for competition. Smith had accolades for his crew that is working as a solid team while Ken Johnson is on the mend.

"I'm very pleased with the job that the crew is doing," said Smith. "Everybody is pitching in. Our new addition to the G Squared team, Rick Maney, is doing an outstanding job after being pressed into service to replace Ken Johnson. Actually, the whole team is working together to replace Ken but, without Rick, we would have really had a hard time.

"The S&S guys are also working really hard to make improvement in the engine department so that we can keep up with the Harleys and fast Suzukis."

Speaking of Ken, he had another surgery on Friday, his third since the accident, to further cleanse the wound in anticipation of skin graft surgery.

BUELL REVIEW: In addition to Ellis the following S&S-powered Buells made the 16-motorcycle field: Ryan Schnitz (No. 6), Chris Rivas (No. 9) and Matt Guidera (No. 14), who qualified for his first race aboard the Buell.

TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the eight annual NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 this evening (Saturday, June 11) from 6-7 p.m. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 3 until 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (June 12). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, June 13, from 2 until 4:30 a.m. Also, tune in to NHRA2Day on ESPN2, the weekly show that gives you the inside scoop about the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA2Day can be seen on Sunday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS: When Harley Davidson accelerated their effort in NHRA, S&S Cycle decided in 2002 to join the battle. Because of his vast R&D experience, coupled with his racing background, S&S asked George Smith to head their project to field a competitive S&S V-Twin bike on the NHRA circuit. Smith immediately asked George Bryce, who had been working with S&S Cycle on a similar project, to join the new endeavor and G Squared Motorsports was formed in 2003. Both Smith and Bryce knew if they collaborated on the project, joining the resources, knowledge and talents of S&S and Star Racing, they could produce a competitive bike to race in Pro Stock Motorcycle competition on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The G Squared/S&S-powered V-Twin Buell debuted in 2004.


VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.G2MOTORSPORTS.NET
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS
MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz

Schumacher, Hight, Johnson and Hines Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals

Georgia Notes:
WJ picks up his 135th #1 qualifying position in Pro Stock with a 6.762 @ 204.08. Kurt Johnson is #2 with his 6.769 @ 204.08 and Barry Grant misses the cut with his 26th best 6.891 @ 200.08.

In Pro Stock Bike, Chip Ellis is #3 with a 7.150 @ 185.66 on the G Squared/S&S Racing Buell.

Whit Bazemore failed to qualify in Funny Car with a 18th best 4.929 @ 317.49.

NHRA Recap

Connolly Wins King Demon Crown

Dave Connolly won the Barry Grant King Demon Crown Pro Stock event (and $50,000) over Jason Line.
Results

Millican, Patrick, Atchison and Jenkins Top Qualifiers at the Hooters IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol

Eddie Ware (Marietta, GA) qualified 15th in Pro Mod with a best of 6.370 @ 222.88.
Drag Race Central Recap

Jeff Tinsley (L) and Jack Redd having a little fun at the 2003 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion in Henderson, NC.

Jeff Tinsley Needs our Support

Legendary drag racing photographer Jeff Tinsley has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and is currently in a Virginia hospital. Jeff has been working for the Smithsonian Institution for several years. Jeff's a nice guy and can use our support, prayers and encouragement. I've been given an email address so that we can get emails to Jeff, but I'm waiting on confirmation before I list it here. As soon as I get the OK, I'll post it here so that you can send Jeff a note.

Ken Johnson Update

Courtesy Jerry Battle

(June 7, 2005) Jackie Bryce has issued the following information regarding the condition of Ken Johnson who was serious injured in a freak accident on Saturday, June 4 (see previous release below):

I visited Ken yesterday (June 6) along with George Smith (G Squared Motorsports partner with George Bryce), who flew in from Wisconsin to visit him. Ken has been moved to a room out of the intensive care unit. This is a good sign. Other than his leg, he is without a scratch. The artery repair and 6 units of blood he received were a success.

The bad news is that his left knee has been severely damaged. At the initial time of impact the knee was bent backwards (in the opposite direction the knee normally functions). This action tore the femoral artery, muscles, and ligaments causing the nerves to stretch before the internal trauma and pressure to the knee caused the skin on the back side of his leg to tear (open wound). His leg went without circulation for about 4-1/2 hours. He's heavily sedated and receiving continuous IV’s while he builds up enough strength for them (doctors) to go back into the open knee and leg wound and clean it out. This is tentatively scheduled to happen as early as Wednesday (June 8).

Jackie also asked that concerned friends and fans NOT send flowers. While his insurance will cover a large portion of medical expenses, there will still remain medical expenses that are not covered and this amount will most likely be sizable.

She suggests if you want to help Ken and his wife Kassi that, in lieu of flowers, you send a card and a financial donation to Ken and Kassi to cover the expected large expense that will be needed above his insurance to insure a complete recovery for Ken.

Jackie feels that this support will be more meaningful and truly more helpful to Ken and Kassi than you might expect. All cards can be sent to Ken Johnson, c/o Star Racing, P.O. Box 1241, Americus, GA 31709. Jackie, Ruth and the entire gang at Star Racing and G Squared Motorsports will make sure that Ken and Kassi receive each and everyone of your cards.

FURNISHED BY:

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz

TORKELSON TAKES NITRO COUPE WIN AT ATLANTA'S AUTOZONE SUPER CHEVY SHOW

Courtesy Hank Schmitt
AutoStar Productions, Inc.
Photos

Wayne Torkelson of Belpre, Ohio, is doing what supposedly can't be done....making a real impact in his first year of Nitro Coupe racing. Traditional wisdom says it takes a year or two of racing to learn how to handle the volatile fuel combination of nitro methane and ethanol that sets the Nitro Coupes apart from any other doorslammers.

Torkelson's latest win came June 5 at Atlanta Dragway as he edged defending world champ Randy Adler in the finals. Torkelson's 1954 Corvette Nitro Coupe screamed to a 6.380 at 221.54 miles per hour in the finals to nip Adler, whose '57 Chevy ran a 6.536 at 212.56. Canadian star Bruce Boland and New York's Mike Swinarski were the Nitro Coupe semi-finalists.

The win gives Torkelson a little breathing room in the Mickey Thompson Nitro Coupe Challenge World Championship points chase as the season reaches the half-way point.

In the Top Sportsman ranks, 1963 split-window Corvettes ruled again at Atlanta Dragway as Hendersonville, NC racer Matt Weston took the title, defeating Shawn McDonald of Bethlehem, GA, whose '66 Chevy II broke right after its launch in the finals. Weston turned in a final round lap of 7.561 at 178.89 mph. In addition to gaining the Top Sportsman title, Weston was the Trim Parts low qualifier for Top Sportsman, turning in a 7.382 at over 186 miles per hour during Saturday qualifying.

It was a great Super Chevy Show weekend at Atlanta for hometown heroes Team PTI, a 5-car team. One of their racers, 14-year old Lauren Turner of Pendergrass, GA, took the Jr. Dragster title. Team PTI's Joe Satterfield was runner-up to Gainesville, Georgia racer Bubba Rich in the Mr. Gasket Bracket One race. Joe scored a semi-final finish last year in this class. To cap the weekend off for Team PTI, they were named the Simpson Best Appearing Crew for the third year in a row at the AutoZone Super Chevy Show's Atlanta stop.

It shouldn't be any surprise that NHRA Footbrake national champion Kelly King of Stockbridge, Georgia took the Bracket Two (non-electronics class) in the Atlanta AutoZone Super Chevy Show. King defeated Richard Rakestraw of Dallas, Georgia, in the finals.

Two of the four Semi-finalists in the 1/4 mile DOT class at Atlanta drove Chevy Cavaliers, and Rickey Morris of Ellenwood, Georgia took his '94 Cavalier to a win in DOT over Rincon, Georgia's Justin Buckner. In addition to the DOT runner-up slot, Buckner guided his 2002 Camaro to a runner-up a semi-final finish in the TREMEC Transmission Saturday bonus race.

Steve Rhoads won the bonus race in his '55 Chevy with Footbrake legend Toby Barnes of Palmetto, Georgia, taking the runner-up slot.

The 25th Anniversary Tour of the AutoZone Super Chevy show heads north this weekend for an event June 10-12 at US 131 Motorsports Park.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels Nitro Coupe Challenge
Nitro Coupe Qualifying - Saturday 6/4/05

Qualifying

Position
Driver/Hometown Car ET MPH
1 Randy Adler, Tinley Park, IL '57 Chevy 6.489 218.34
2 Wayne Torkelson, Belpre, OH '54 Corvette 6.553 213.77
3 Mike Swinarski, Hamburg, NY '57 Chevy 6.624 212.16
4 Jeff Merritt, Merrillville, IN '00 Trans AM 6.762 207.51
5 Bruce Boland, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada '53 Corvette 6.783 201.07
6 Tony "Sandman" Williams, Millington, TN '69 Camaro 6.849 209.69
7 Tommy Howes, Laytonsville, MD '69 Camaro 6.862 203.02
8 Dave Tomasino, Holley, NY '69 Camaro 12.763 63.51

Nitro Coupe Eliminations - Sunday 6/4

Semi-Finals
Randy Adler def. .016 6.532 217.65
Bruce Boland .096 6.575 212.86

Wayne Torkelson def. .071 6.526 215.87
Mike Swinarski .075 6.687 211.51

Finals
Wayne Torkelson def. .111 6.380 221.34
Randy Adler .099 6.536 212.56


Top Sportsman Eliminations Presented by ProCharger - Sun. 6/5/05

Driver R/T Dial-in ET MPH
Winner Matt Weston, Hendersonville, NC, '63 Vette .026 7.22 7.561 178.89
Runner-Up Shawn McDonald, Bethlehem, GA, '66 Chevy II .029 7.50 BROKE
Semis Ronnie Davis, Suwannee, GA, '63 Vette
Larry Fielding, Monticello, GA, '92 Trans Am

Trim Parts Low Qualifiers - Sat. 6/4

Driver ET MPH
Nitro Coupes Randy Adler, Tinley Park, IL, '57 Chevy 6.489 218.34

Top Sportsman Matt Weston, Hendersonville, NC, '63 Vette 7.382 186.23

TREMEC Transmission Saturday Bonus Race - 6/4/05 (Note: TREMEC Transmission is now sponsoring the Bonus Race (where scheduled) at each AutoZone Super Chevy Show.



Driver R/T DIAL-IN ET MPH
Winner Steve Rhoads, Rutledge, GA, '55 Chevy .043 7.84 7.863 86.58

Runner-Up Toby Barnes, Palmetto, GA, Pontiac .017 7.83 7.879 89.02

Semis Justin Buckner, Rincon, GA, '02 Camaro


FLOWMASTER Bracket Racing Series Eliminations Sunday 6/5/05

Mr. Gasket Bracket One Pro Eliminator


Driver R/T Dial-in

Winner
Bubba Rich, Gainesville, GA, '92 TransAM .010 5.36 5.387 127.98
Runner-up
Joe Satterfield, Pendergrass, GA, '95 Undercover .007 5.04 5.081 136.23

Semis Ron Webster, Blairville, GA, '96 S&W RED
John Morris, Stockbridge, GA


Bracket Two Eliminator

Winner
Kelly King, Stockbridge, GA .057 6.48 6.614 90.22
Runner-up
Richard Rakestraw, Dallas, GA .077 8.53 8.710 76.84

Semis Jim Wood, Laurens, SC


DOT
Winner Rickey Morris, Ellenwood, GA, '94 Cavalier .077 16.93 16.957 76.92

Runner-up Justin Bucker, Rincon, GA, '02 Camaro .047 13.94 13.891 97.31

Semis Mike Newby, Marietta, GA, '69 Chevelle
Steve Taylor, Raleigh, NC, '94 Cavalier

Jr. Dragster
Winner Lauren Turner, Pendergrass, GA .049 8.060 80.27

Runner-up Thomas Davis-Cox, Buford, GA .109 8.102 80.46

Semis Casey Free, Sugar Hill, GA
Wesley Mayfield, Gainesville, GA

THREE-TIME ROUTE 66 CHAMP BAZEMORE EYES ANOTHER WIN

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

JOLIET, Ill. (June 7, 2005) - With three victories, Whit Bazemore is tied with Del Worsham for most Funny Car wins at the super-fast, record-breaking Route 66 Raceway which opened in 1998. But only Bazemore, driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car from Don Schumacher Racing, can claim having won the inaugural event here.

The two-time U.S. Nationals champion who makes his home in Indianapolis defeated Worsham in that race, and went on to triumph again in the fall event in 2001 from the No. 1 qualifying spot, and the spring race in 2003. He was also runner-up last year at the spring race against John Force, whom he beat in 2001, and low qualifier a second time in the fall of 2003.

Route 66 is where Bazemore set his career quickest ET of 4.713 seconds, and his career fastest speed of 333.25 mph, both set in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history.

Bazemore and crew chief Lee Beard hope that their past success at this ultra-smooth track and the data they acquired in a test session following the last event in Topeka will help them overcome their recent slump. Their goal is to get back closer to the top of the POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car standings with a strong showing in this weekend's CARQUEST Nationals. Bazemore has won twice this year, led the point standings through three events, but has since dropped to fifth in the rankings.

He's still very much in the championship mix and only 51 points out of second place. It's the 178-point deficit to No. 1 John Force that is the team's largest hurdle at this stage of the season, with 14 races remaining.

"Route 66 has turned into the quickest and fastest track on the calendar, so it's always exciting to come here," said Bazemore, who is seeking his first Funny Car championship. "It's a place that we really enjoy going to. It will hopefully be a track where we can get our season back going in the direction that it needs to go in.

"The Matco Tools Dodge team is working very hard. I feel for the guys on the team because they're making a huge effort. We've won a couple of races this year, and that's been good, but we've also had a huge run of first-round disasters that really hurt us.

"All we can do right now is just try to be as aggressive as we can be and go for race wins, which is what we always do. We need to go to each race like it's our last one and try to win.

"We're looking forward to hopefully running some low 4.70-second runs and contending for a win."

SCHEDULE:
On Friday, June 10 professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Saturday, June 11 Pro qualifying sessions continue at 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. King Demon Crown elimination rounds are at 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 12, Pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
On Saturday, June 11, ESPN2 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, June 12, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 3 p.m. (ET). Also on Sunday June 12, ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).

WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Fifth in 2005 Funny Car point standings after eight events, 178 points out
of lead
* Qualified No. 2 at 2004 CARQUEST Nationals, runner-up to John Force
* Won here in 1998, 2001 (Chi 2), 2003 (Chi 1). Qualified No. 1 in 2001 (Chi 2) and 2003 (Chi 2)
* Qualified in the top two in nine events in 2004, four times in No. 1
* No. 6 in 2004 Funny Car points, with two wins, five final rounds
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph,
both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest
and fastest speed in Funny Car history
* Won three times in 2003, runner-up five times
* Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 303 races
* Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an
exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon
* Was second twice in the Funny Car championship in 2001 and 2003, third in
1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 12 times in the
top 10 since 1992
* Age 42, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with
wife Michelle, a competitive amateur cyclist, and son Dashiell Aidan, born
March 12, 2005
* 2005 is his fifth season with Don Schumacher Racing

***

G Squared/Star Racing's Ken Johnson seriously injured in freak accident

Courtesy Jerry Battle

Longtime Star Racing employee Ken Johnson was seriously injured Saturday (June 4) in an accident at U.S. 19 Dragway in Albany, Ga. He is currently in stable but guarded condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Phoebe-Putney Hospital in Albany.

Johnson, who was not a participant in the event, was in the Dragway's campground aboard a four-wheel "mule" when the vehicle began tipping over during a turn. He instinctively put his leg down to keep the four-wheeler upright but the weight and momentum of the turn caused the "mule" to flip over causing severe trauma to his left knee and leg.

George Bryce, owner of Star Racing and partner with George Smith in G Squared Motorsports, was immediately notified and rushed to the scene from the drag strip. By the time Bryce arrived, Johnson had lost a considerable amount of blood, but Bryce was quick to note that unidentified bystanders were already administering life-saving first aid to Johnson.

"When I arrived, several campers had applied a tourniquet to Ken's leg," said Bryce. "Also, the sheriff was nearby and immediately called the EMTs who arrived within minutes and rushed him to a local hospital. The combination of these individuals helped save Ken's life.

"Ken has been with me over 20 years. He had been by my side for every race and was a huge part of Star Racing winning six championships with John Myers and Angelle Sampey. He worked with me on the bikes of Reggie Showers and Fred Collis and now is an important part of the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell program, with Chip Ellis.

"Ken needs everybody's prayers and support at this time. He's tough but will have a long road to recover. I sure he'll have to undergo additional surgery and long term rehabilitation. All of us at G Squared and Star Racing will be by his side every step of the way."

Johnson underwent four hours of vascular surgery on Saturday to repair a severed femoral artery and to stabilize the knee and leg.

"It was a freak accident," added Bryce's wife Jackie. "What actually popped it backwards and broke everything was the roll bar on the four-wheeler. I feel he would have been hurt no matter what but it seemed that the roll bar was exactly even with his knee when it rolled over. This caused more damage. It was bad. The whole knee was blown out.

"Ken has built every motorcycle we have ever raced and has been to every single race we have competed in. It's going to be an adjustment now not having him here during his recovery time. But Star Racing and G Squared are strong and everybody will pull together during these trying times.

"Ken's our guy. He's always been there for us and we've always been there for him. I've always been the Star Racing, and now the G Squared, mother and consider all the employees my children. Ken has been here the longest, so he's like the oldest child. That's what makes this accident so much harder."

The G-Squared team will be putting the G Squared/S&S Buell through qualifying and eliminations at the CarQuest Auto Parts Nationals in Chicago this weekend without Johnson in attendance.

"We'll miss Ken this weekend and at future races but we'll do everything we can to win. The team is pumped up. We plan to make Ken proud of us while he's out," said Chip Ellis, who will be aboard the G2/S&S Buell at Chicago.

G Squared Motorsports was formed in 2003. Both George Smith and George Bryce knew if they collaborated on the project, joining the resources, knowledge and talents of S&S Cycle and Star Racing, they could produce a competitive bike to race in Pro Stock Motorcycle competition on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The G Squared/S&S-powered V-Twin Buell debuted in 2004.

FURNISHED BY:

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz

Star Racing Crew Chief Ken Johnson in Intensive Care after Accident

Information

One More Chance to Attend the AutoZone Super Chevy Show at Atlanta Dragway

Sunday (June 5, 2005) is the last day for the Super Chevy Show at Atlanta Dragway. If you like cars and drag racing, don't miss it! Car show, Nitro Coupes, jet dragsters, bracket racing, wheelstanders, swap meet and more! You better get there early - Atlanta Dragway was packed early Saturday morning when I got there and you'll need all day to see everything. If you're a "car guy", you'll have a great time - if you're a Chevrolet person, you'll be in Chevy Heaven!
Photos

Super Chevy Show at
Atlanta Dragway

Randy "Mr. Big Stuff" Payne (L) and son ( Big Stuff Racing driver) Butch Payne at the NHRA Lucas Oil Division 2 race at SGMP. The sky tells it all as the event was rained out. Photo by Marvin T. Smith - June 4, 2005

Rain Washes Out SGMP's NHRA Lucas Oil Division 2 Race

The event is rescheduled for August 5th and 6th, 2005 (Friday and Saturday) and the Gainesville points race that had been postponed twice will now be held at SGMP Sunday August 7, 2005. More Info

Marvin T. Smith photos from SGMP