WJ Powers to the Number One Qualifying Position in Gainesville
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
WJ Powers to the Number One Qualifying Position in Gainesville
Event: 39th Annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
Day/Date: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Location: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL
Warren Johnson made a strong first impression in his brand-new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP on Saturday, powering to the number one qualifying position at the ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. This marks the 137th No. 1 qualifying effort of Johnson’s Hall of Fame career (the most by any NHRA professional competitor), ninth at Gainesville Raceway, and first since the 2005 race in Brainerd, MN.
With qualifying reduced to only two attempts due to Friday’s rain at Gainesville Raceway, Johnson made the most of the opportunity, posting the quickest and fastest run in each session.
After opening with a stout 6.682-second, 207.53 mph pass in the early afternoon, The Professor came back on his second attempt with an even stronger 6.665-second clocking, matching his son Kurt’s time, who, ironically, had run in the lane beside him.
However, the senior member of the Johnson racing family edged out his talented son for the top spot by virtue of a top speed tie-breaker, with WJ’s 208.36 mph speed bettering his son’s 207.27 mph effort. Incidentally, this is the 35th time that the Johnsons had captured the top two starting positions at an NHRA national event,
“It’s a great way to start off with our new GM Performance Parts GXP. Ironically, the last time we qualified number one before today was in our very first race with the Pontiac GTO, which this car replaces. I just hope history doesn’t repeat itself, because that was the only pole position we won with the GTO.
“In all seriousness, we’re off to a pretty good start this year. I believe we had the fastest GTO at the first two races, which we felt showed we had power capable of qualifying in the top half of the field. This new car seems to be a little quicker in the back half, which is where the speed is coming from. We had run 211 mph in Valdosta two days ago when, as we found out upon our arrival here in Florida, the car was actually 25 pounds too heavy, so we were pretty excited about our chances here, and things so far have worked in our favor.
“This GXP has obviously got potential. It still isn’t happy yet as far as going dead straight, so we have a few areas to work on, but we’re going to approach them rather gingerly, tickling it until we get it right.
“This chassis is the latest evolution in the process. We took things we learned on the GTO and incorporated them in his latest Cobalt, and information gathered on Kurt’s car was used in the development of this newest chassis. This has really allowed us to work effectively together. We’re continually working on new things, and always try to make at least two of everything so if it works out to be better, we can both take advantage of it.
“But, in the end, it’s a good day for both Kurt’s and my teams. We have had the GM Performance Parts and ACDelco crews working on both cars to get them used to what real teamwork is about, and the results are starting to show. But we still have work to do here. Certainly the weekend is off to a good start, but tomorrow is when things really get interesting.”
KJ Captures the Second Starting Spot at the ACDelco Gatornationals
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
KJ Captures the Second Starting Spot at the ACDelco Gatornationals
Event: 39th Annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals
Day/Date: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Location: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL
ACDelco Cobalt racer Kurt Johnson continued his string of strong qualifying efforts on Saturday, with his 6.665-second, 207.27 mph pass capturing the second starting position for Sunday’s final eliminations of the ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. This marks Johnson’s best qualifying performance since the 2006 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN.
After rain cancelled Friday’s qualifying sessions at Gainesville Raceway, Johnson, as well as the 28 other Pro Stock drivers attempting to qualify were left with only two opportunities to earn a spot in Sunday’s final eliminations field. Further complicating their assignment was the ever-changing weather conditions, which ranged from sunny and warm to completely overcast with high winds.
However, Johnson was up to the challenge, quickly dispelling any concerns about his participation on race day with a strong 6.692-second, 206.76 mph run in the opening stanza, slotting him third midway through qualifying. He stepped up the pace even further in the afternoon session, improving to a 6.665-second time. This matched the quickest time of the day, which was posted by his father Warren Johnson, who had run the lane beside KJ.
Although the Johnson family patriarch gained the number one position by virtue of a top-speed tie breaker, with his 208.36 mph effort edging Kurt’s 207.27 mph speed, the second-generation racer was satisfied with the results, especially in light of the fact that he had missed this race the last two years.
“After the torture we went through the last two years here in Gainesville, we’re pretty pleased to have our ACDelco Cobalt end up as the number two qualifier. That was a heck of a run against Dad this afternoon, and although you never like to lose the number one position on a top speed tie-breaker, it’s not as bad when it’s your teammate that edges you out.
“Actually, we were a little soft on that last run. We ended up putting the information we gathered on Wednesday in Valdosta aside, because the car was doing things there it hadn’t done all season. As a result, we’re about a run behind on the tune-up. However, we are creeping up on it, and I think there is another hundredth left in it. We’ll save that for tomorrow.
“I am impressed by Dad’s performance in his GM Performance Parts GXP, coming out with a brand new car and running that well. I guess they’re finally listening to me over there, bolting it together the way it should be.
“We certainly had a good day today, but our work here is only halfway done. This is a great race to win with a lot of tradition, and stands packed with tremendous fans. On top of that, we’ll have a lot of ACDelco and Chevrolet people here tomorrow pulling for us, so if we could come out of here tomorrow night with the winner’s trophy, it would be awesome.”
Armed with a New Car, WJ Hopes to Score a Perfect 10 at the Gators
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
GM Performance Parts crew Targets Successful Launch of new GXP
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 11, 2008 – This weekend in central Florida, two of the elements that have helped to shape the sport of drag racing will come together as part of the ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. The first, naturally, is venerable Gainesville Raceway, which has hosted the traditional East Coast season-opener since 1970, witnessing numerous historic performances during that time.
The second part of this high-speed equation is Hall of Fame racer Warren Johnson, who will bring his GM Performance Parts Pontiac to the Sunshine State for his 29th Gatornationals. A quick look at the record books shows that Gainesville Raceway has been one of “The Professor’s” favorite venues, as his nine national event wins in ten final round appearances are the most by any professional in the history of the POWERade Drag Racing Series at this event, a record he hopes to improve upon this weekend.
“I can’t remember a specific favorite memory from my previous ACDelco Gatornationals, but I know I can recall about nine good ones, which is the number of times I’ve won there,” joked Johnson. “Overall, I’d say I’ve had relatively good success at Gainesville Raceway, and have been able to run pretty consistently there over the years. I’m not sure if the surface suits my method of tuning or something else, but it’s always been a decent place for me to race.
“Lately, the track has shown some signs of wear, simply because the combination of being built on a swamp and subjected to the heat it sees during the summer requires it be resurfaced more frequently than some tracks we go to. Still, we’ve been able to adapt to it rather well, and hope to do so again this weekend in our new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP.”
Despite cutting his racing teeth in the Midwest, Johnson grew up well aware of the Gatornationals’ stature in the drag racing world. Having established an unparalleled record of success spanning four decades at this marquee event, he has developed his own opinion as to the universal mystique surrounding the race.
“I think the one term that explains the primary attraction of the Gatornationals is cabin fever,” said Johnson. “It’s the first race on the East Coast, starting the year for drag racers and fans east of the Mississippi, as well as bringing a significant contingent from as far north as Canada. We also have our share of European racers, as their season does not start for a couple months, so they come over here to pick new cars and equipment, and this race gives them a chance to try everything out.
“After dealing with the extreme winter weather, everyone is looking to bask in the Florida sunshine. Therefore, we typically have tremendous crowds and larger than normal car counts in all categories, creating a lot of excitement. It’s the perfect setting for a great event, making it one of the races everyone wants to win.”
The final piece of this competitive equation, however, is the complete antithesis to The Professor’s lengthy tenure at Gainesville Raceway – his new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP. Not only will this newest mount be making its national event debut in Florida this weekend, but having been completed only hours before the team’s departure, any true tuning information on this chassis will be based on the limited amount of test runs WJ will make in the days leading up to the race. Even so, the six-time champion is confident both his team and car will be up to the challenge.
“Although it’s coming down to the wire in terms of having our new GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP ready for competition, we should be ready for the first qualifying session on Friday,” said Johnson. “The vinyl wrap was put on this past weekend, and we have a few final things to get done, which we should complete by Monday morning.
“After that, we’ll load it up, and with Mother Nature’s cooperation, make a few test runs in Valdosta on Tuesday and Wednesday. If it doesn’t hit the trees or the guardrails, we’ll head to Gainesville. Although we toyed with the idea of bringing the old car as a back up, we thought we’d go without a net and leave it at home. After all, as the saying goes, no guts - no glory and we are there for the glory.”
Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Racing team
By the Numbers – ACDelco Gatornationals edition:
4.148 – Average starting position by WJ in 27 Gainesville Raceway starts
8 – No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Florida, including five consecutive years from 1993 – 1997, and most recently in 2000.
9 - WJ Gatornationals wins in ten final round appearances, which is tied the most by a professional racer in the history of the NHRA.
14 - Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by WJ in his previous 27 Gatornationals starts.
21 – Top half starts by WJ at the Gators.
47 – Different drivers WJ has faced at Gainesville in his career.
55 - Total elimination round wins by WJ in Florida, versus 18 losses, for a .753 win percentage.
1976 – First year WJ raced at Gainesville Raceway, when he qualified fourth and was the runner-up to eventual Pro Stock champion Larry Lombardo.
2000 – WJ’s most recent Gatornationals win, when he qualified No. 1 and defeated George Marnell, Jim Yates, Ron Krisher and Troy Coughlin.
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 14 – Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 - Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 16 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by
The first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Sunday, March 16 – 1:00 - 3:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 16 – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
NHRA RaceDay: Sunday, March 16 - 11:00 -11:30 a.m.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)
ACDelco Gatornationals Generate a Range of Emotions for KJ
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Second Gatornationals win in ACDelco Cobalt crew’s sights
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 11, 2008 – Throughout the course of an NHRA national event, drivers and race teams in the POWERade Drag Racing Series will go through a range of emotions, starting before they even get to the track. Such is the case for Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team, as they head south for the ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. Having accompanied his father to the traditional kickoff of East Coast drag racing since the 70’s, this second-generation racer is well aware of the event’s status in the sport, and is excited to return for this year’s edition.
“The ACDelco Gatornationals are made special by the fans and their enthusiasm,” said Johnson. “It’s in the spring, when the weather is getting better, and everyone is excited, including the racers. We’re ready to see the Florida sunshine, because it makes us feel good. Everybody is smiling and having a good time, and we want to join in the fun by winning with our ACDelco Cobalt.”
However, Johnson’s animated anticipation entering this marquee race is somewhat tinged by his experience in Gainesville during the prior two seasons. After qualifying outside the top half of the field only twice in his previous 13 attempts, and reaching the semifinals or better in six of those starts, he inexplicably struggled the next two years in Florida, missing both races. Returning this year with a new race car that has shown itself to be fast in previous events, and armed with a wealth of tuning information that helped him win this event in 2003, an anxious KJ is determined to get back on the winning track.
“I can’t explain our last two years in Gainesville, other than to say things just didn’t work in our favor,” said Johnson. “We had run well there in the past, including winning in 2003, so we know how to get down the track. The last two years, however, we’ve been tripped up by things I can’t really explain. Some may say that’s racing, but let me tell you – it sucked.
“But instead of worrying about things that are behind us and can do nothing about, this weekend we’re going to concentrate on getting back to qualifying in the top half and going rounds on Sunday, putting on a good show for all the ACDelco customers and employees in the stands. We have a new ACDelco Cobalt, which we hope will be the key, and we’re going to Florida ready to attack the track.”
Emphasizing the significance of this race for the red, white and blue crew is the fact that they will be competing in their sponsor’s race. Although dismissing the notion of any added pressure, KJ is quick to point out the benefits of taking those whose support makes it all possible to the winner’s circle, as he did at the 2005 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals.
“A lot is made of the added pressures of racing in your sponsor’s race,” said Johnson. “Certainly, you want to do well in front of those who support you, but it doesn’t really change how you make the tuning calls or evaluate the track and atmospheric conditions. After all, we want to win every race we enter.
“However, I have to admit this being an ACDelco race brings me up a notch as far as the driving goes. Based on how this ACDelco Cobalt has performed so far this year, I think it’s really going to like the track in Gainesville, because it has a lot of traction. We won’t know until we let the clutch out, but I feel good about our chances.
“If we make the right calls on the tune-up, which we should be able to do, it will make the driving aspect easier, so if I step it up, we should be able to win the ACDelco Gatornationals for everyone who helps on this car. If we can accomplish that, it would be a great weekend.”
Despite the excitement of the event, and the anticipation of a great weekend, however, KJ, as well as all the competitors in the pit area, will approach this race with a touch of sadness, as this will be the first time the straight-line set will return to Gainesville Raceway following the loss of rising star Eric Medlen in a testing accident there one year ago.
“I’ll never forget the sound of the helicopter as it airlifted Eric from the track that afternoon,” said Kurt. “It was a terrible day for the Medlen family, the John Force Racing organization, as well as the sport of drag racing, and, as we return to Gainesville, our thoughts are with all of them. The drag racing family suffered a great loss that day, and we owe it to his memory to have fun and put on a great race this weekend, as well as every time we run. I think that’s the way he would want it.”
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Chevy Cobalt Racing team
By the Numbers – ACDelco Gatornationals edition:
1 - KJ career Gatornationals wins entering this weekend, which came in 2003.
8.462 – KJ’s average starting position in Gainesville
6 – Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by Kurt in his previous 13 Gatornationals starts.
6.613 – KJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA.
11 – Top half starts by Kurt at Gainesville Raceway (in 13 prior starts)
13 - Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event entering 2008, the longest active streak in Pro Stock, and the second longest among all NHRA professional categories.
15 – KJ Gatornationals appearances coming into this event, dating back to his rookie season in 1993.
18 – KJ Gainesville Raceway round wins in his 13 prior starts, versus 12 losses for a .600 win percentage
209.26 - KJ’s career best top speed (in mph) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 14 – Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 15 - Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 16 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by
the first round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Sunday, March 16 – 1:00 - 3:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 16 – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
NHRA RaceDay: Sunday, March 16 - 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject
ESTN Photos from Marvin T. Smith
Click here for Marvin T. Smith photos from the ESTN at SGMP. Thanks for the photos, Marvin!
