NHRA

Gateway: Warren Johnson ties record with 85th Victory

THE WARREN REPORT: Warren Johnson GM Goodwrench Service Plus Race Report from the Sears Craftsman Nationals QUICK RESULTS Qualified: First Finished: Winner Points: First Johnson Ties Glidden's Record with Second Straight Victory MADISON, Ill., ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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THE WARREN REPORT: Warren Johnson GM Goodwrench Service Plus Race Report from the Sears Craftsman Nationals

QUICK RESULTS
Qualified: First
Finished: Winner
Points: First

Johnson Ties Glidden's Record with Second Straight Victory

MADISON, Ill., Sunday, June 24, 2001 -- Warren Johnson celebrated his 85th NHRA victory today at Gateway International Raceway, tying Bob Glidden's longstanding record for career Pro Stock titles. Fresh from a victory last weekend in Columbus, Ohio, Johnson won the Sears Craftsman Nationals for the second time in five years and notched his fourth win of the season.

"This new car actually makes us look smart," laughed the Professor after back-to-back wins with his new GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac. "We knew coming into the middle part of the season that the racetracks were going to be hot. Right now we're in a learning mode."

Johnson, a lifelong student of the science of acceleration, taught his rivals a lesson in racecraft this weekend. He hit a grand slam with his new Grand Am, qualifying No. 1 at 6.865/200.65 mph and setting track records for elapsed time and top speed. Johnson topped 200 mph in every round of eliminations, dispatching John Nobile, Mike Edwards and Brad Jeter en route to his 133rd final round. He extended his final-round record in 2001 to a perfect 4-0 by defeating Jim Yates, 6.908/200.74 to 6.930/200.62.

Johnson had to cede lane choice to Yates for the final run. "The starting line was starting to get a little polished and I knew Jim was going to take the left lane," W.J. reported. "He made an excellent run -- we're fortunate we made a better run."

W.J. increased his lead in the Winston championship race to 72 points over Yates going into the four-race "Western Swing" through California, Colorado and Washington. "We're going to ride this racehorse as long as we can," said Johnson of his new Jerry Haas-built Pontiac. "Jerry is starting work on a new car next week for cool tracks, so hopefully by September we'll have another fast horse in the stable."

Johnson professes that he is focused on the championship, not Glidden's record. "Winning the championship means something," he explained. "You can take that to the bank." <pre> WARREN JOHNSON RACE RESULTS Qualifying: Warren Johnson qualified No. 1 at 6.865/200.65

Eliminations: First Round: Warren Johnson (6.934/200.71) defeated John Nobile (6.945/199.70) Second Round: Johnson (6.890/200.65) defeated Mike Edwards (6.955/199.49) Semi-Final: Johnson (6.945/200.68) defeated Brad Jeter (6.973/199.20) Final Round: Johnson (6.908/200.74) defeated Jim Yates (6.930/200.62)

Low ET: Warren Johnson, 6.865 seconds (track record) Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 200.74 mph (track record)

POINTS RACE (After 12 of 24 events) Driver Wins Points 1. Warren Johnson 4 884 2. Jim Yates 1 808 3. Mark Pawuk 0 749 4. Jeg Coughlin Jr. 2 707 5. Mark Osborne 0 620

NEXT RACE Pep Boys 50th Anniversary Nationals, July 5-7, Pomona, Calif. TV: ESPN2, July 7, 10 p.m. (ET)

-GM Racing

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