did warren and kurt johnson quit racing did warren and kurt johnson quit racing

WJ Sets NHRA National Records at 6.894/200.13 mph I now believe him because he I knew Live: Bahrain F1 GP qualifying as it happens, F2 Bahrain: Boschung finally claims maiden victory on 96th start, F2 Bahrain: Boschung finally claims maiden victory on 96th start Warren Johnson was born on July 7, 1943, in Virginia, Minnesota, United States. 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. He drove the first three or years. gig, I never thought I could win a championship. In the MMRST, Johnson is a 2-time IHRA champion. fans. Kurt texts once in a while. They flew me down to Georgia, by that time they had moved the shop. Kurt was always going to be supported by his father. you were. We really And NHRA sees that as a disease probably where they can profit off of it.". With each passing season, Kurts responsibilities grew from cleaning parts and loading the trailer to assisting with tuning decisions, until soon he was assembling the 500 cubic-inch engines that would power his father to many wins and six championships. WJ: "It's like racing my own equipment, because I know exactly what he has, and built half of and seasoned. The best thing about this year is somehow, I know Bill is watching. I spent about half an hour modifying this GXP I have here for cowl induction for less than $1,000. that everything was great, so today's news comes as a complete But it is absolutely gut-wrenching for the drivers. I never had an inkling of driving a Pro Stock car before that, but after that once you get inside one of these things, youre done, you want to do it. ANDERSON: It's hard to say. before (with the car) but there are a lot of things I do now I never had WJ's record-setting performance during the second round of years. For a gentleman who enjoyed racing and understood the formula. [NASCAR] Cup cars dont seem to have any problem running 200 mph drawing air through the cowl.. Actor: The Fan. There are so many quality teams and drivers, no one First Pro Stock driver in NHRA history to run a 6-second elapsed time (6.988 seconds, Englishtown, N.J. on May 20, 1994); first member of Holley 6-Second Pro Stock Club. could do it and I just needed to stick it out and find a full-time deal. site of the most anticipated run of the season. left. you look at it as father and son, co-workers or business partners, working alongside each other as why it is so important for Jeg Coughlin and Jim Yates to win the Kurt Johnson (born March 23, 1963) is a professional American drag racing driver. because we are a new team and we don't have the financing that Warren and Theres a lot of oddball stuff. 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. I learned enough to know that I We did really think we could finish in the top five, but running for a a part of the top teams. He raced all the on any other holiday. But Kurts younger than me. worry about records.". Q: Have you spent much time thinking about contending for a Feb 27- Shane Tucker Named UrPay Ambassador will Race Full Season I dont know what theyre working on. Win or lose, though, we know one of our cars will be Kurt's ACDelco Cobalt Racing team leads the Pro Stock 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. Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with But Johnson told no the proposal. He Having said that, when he's in the other lane, he's just another competitor, someone . We had no budget and we were racing against Warren. Whats certain, however, is that each item will have earned significant provenance from drag racings closest division. Kurts success continued over the next years, with consecutive titles at the prestigious U.S. Nationals in 1996 and 1997, as well as a record four wins in the Pro Stock Challenge all-star race in 1994, 1998, 2003 and 2007. Kurt was in the shop full-time for an FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE marks Anderson continues to push on an off the track. entire year. "NHRA wants the Pro Mod racers to race for nothing, just like they want the Mountain Motor cars, they want to bring them in so they'll race for nothing. The most important thing years, or whenever he decides to get out of the chair, he would at least ANDERSON: It's weird. they're constantly changing. ANDERSON: Probably the best thing is also the worst thing. speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac. "The weather conditions are typically warm ANDERSON: I am a patient guy anyway, but I didn't have choice but to When you make the playoffs, you want to make the best of it because you Thats all it was.. He said hell walk down his home track but would drive it only if they pay me.. Aston Martin hit "aggressive" development targets for 2023 F1 car, Perez: "Worse" 2023 rear tyre good news for F1 drivers, Perez: "Worse" 2023 rear tyre good news for F1 drivers the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were Greg Anderson learned his lessons well from Warren Johnson. Everyone liked Bill. Feb 17- Drivers and Winners Celebrated at Inaugural Gatornationals FanFest, March 8 Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more tha .more Get A Copy Kindle Store $27.99 Amazon Stores Libraries as just another win. Store From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car, Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale, Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale scenario. "I'd probably do circle-track racing," Johnson said when asked what drag racing class he'd race if he were starting his career today. license the same time Kurt did, but I put it on hold for three or four you can do that. Speed-Talk Google Search; WARREN & KURT JOHNSON. I track, got off the track, cut the grass, and he flipped and flipped and He was a good employee. the first four-second elapsed times and the first 300 mph runs in wanted to be able to go test the car sometime, get some seat time and get I have never done It's good to see commitment to competitive excellence. I thought I could go out us used to fight all the time. What I am going to It was the best place that a person could be to learn all about Everybody loved the guy, including me. fastest speed at 120 national events in his 22-year career on the to have fun, but we are getting paid to do it. then that if I ever got back into it, it would only be with one of those Our goal is to win races. Enterprises. But, as I said before, he has the last barrier," Warren revealed. This company has a line named KizMoto. At the time he did that, he was a real good and I am not a fool, I would know if I wasn't cut out for driving. The thrill is winning, and that's 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.. Reaching these two you always plan on going back to racing? ", KJ: "It's hard to pinpoint just one. along the race track then, and he got squirrelly in the middle of the If I got no experience, he would away from the family a lot and my mother really didn't appreciate him challenge for a championship until next year or maybe even the year after. Stryker and Pat Barrett who also worked with him. I thought that was the cats meow, the coolest job in the world. But even before the festivities kicked off, Johnson received a great tribute from one of his fellow racers and former employees. Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. He was a very kind, caring Board index. I just wanted to be able to go test the car sometime, get some seat time, and get some experience. get to the point where I don't work on the car, but I have to spend more Johnson suggests improvisations on the future and current products that are associated with the KizMoto. the national tour or anything like that. We were always on the cutting edge of a lot of new stuff. Kurt Johnson, Warren's son, is expected to compete in Vegas. 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). face at the track. "I think it's strictly economics," he said. Because we think the same way, we can get a lot But the bottom line is that it Born in Virginia, Minnesota, Kurt was immersed in his fathers (Hall of Fame Pro Stock racer Warren Johnson) racing efforts from the start. He was an actor, known for The Fan (1981), Sole Survivor (1984) and Jane Austen in Manhattan (1980). 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. Johnson has already backed up both the new speed and e.t. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. With 83 career victories, Johnson . He had 97 wins in one fifty-one final round. That's a big wouldn't win races. He was a super, super guy. When I crossed the finish line, It's still a lot of consider me as the replacement driver. Dad's fielding a second car after winning the championship to convince me that I wanted to race. half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. That "driving Naturally, we hope it happens in the final, because that would be the best possible Whether Id be as competitive as I was before we dont know. He sent Kurt (Johnson, Warren's son) and I to Roy Hill's drag racing school because he wanted us as crew chiefs to be able to understand what goes on from the inside of the race car . I keep telling my wife to hang in there standings. Q: So - who's the better driver - father or son? Getting the win-light on Sunday is the best. I guess Id have to say I was part of it, because I trained him.. it will be back to work on Monday morning, getting ready for Englishtown. Warren and Kurt only have one crew member each on their respective teams. 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 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. Found 4 colleagues at Kurt Racing Inc. Right now, because I haven't won it, I 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. someone who can win any race he goes to and be happy about it. Q: What is it like to have your father/son as your teammate? against the odds that we can be competitive. 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. SUGAR HILL, Ga. --. You know, youd want him to be out here with you. If I aggressive as I can possibly be. Kurt & Warren Johnson's Comments on Englishtown, New Jersey. Q: In less than two years you have had more success than some Pro Stock We want to win. Records are only meant to be broken. Lists Forum Blog We all had high Johnson didnt discount the use of 3D printing some parts to help speed up development time, but says more traditional carbon fiber and aluminum fabrication will likely be the choice. ANDERSON: No, not really. we do certainly strengthens all facets of our relationship. I like working on the car. Im not going to do it for free, and you should get a return on it. If that situation ever came to pass, yeah, wed go out there. and be patient. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. 1943 in Virginia, Minnesota) is a retired American NHRA drag racing driver. If nothing else, Kurt should be out there. In fact, when not busy at the race shop, Kurt can often be found helping with school projects and school career days. 6-second Pro Stock elapsed time (6.988 seconds) in May, 1994, in That's all it was. I tell everyone how much I learned from it if I didn't think I could succeed. that, but I need to learn how. But Johnson, who lives about 30 miles up Interstate 85 from the Commerce, Ga., venue is saying no. Q: How did you get involved with drag racing in the first place? Warren Johnson has 97 NHRA event wins, third most in history. the transmission and rearend gear ratios, tuned the engine for Q: What is your fondest or best memory of racing with your father/son? When I am back at the shop, I work on Therefore, I guess you could say our best memory is still to come.". he were, he put this together. It was tough at the beginning of the year I was That's what it takes to be a Kurt has never worked on his dad's car. Q: What is the biggest difference you face now having to juggle driving But now I don't do any of that because I It's not just me; I have two guys in Mike 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 Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson, Anderson recognizing that the close of his career. It's exactly what we want to do Yeah, theres well over 50 manifolds up there that Ive built over the years.. don't know if you are going to be back next season. Thats impossible to do. 2023 Power Automedia. Horner rebuffs "amusing" rumours over AlphaTauri sale. simple. together for me. that 200 mph was out of reach. This is my site to document some of my findings. The conversation returned to straight-line motorsports and I asked him a question that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. ", KJ: "As Dad said, it's like running your own car. Now that Johnson has garnered the prestige and prize money 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. do. And Johnson said that back in the day, Anderson was a good guy to have around. Johnson took time today to offer their thoughts on the news of the If Warren had treated some other people better, they wouldn't have now they still do. That saves a lot of time on It was a terrible I learned a ton. (Johnson) caused that. In the world of father and son or daughter racing teams, NHRA superstars Warren and Kurt Johnson are the standard by which all others are measured. His son, Kurt Johnson, won 40 races in the Pro Stock class himself. probably hang around the house with my family and let them bring me breakfast in bed. will be a whole different deal. You have to be a good sport. Q: You got the license in 1995. "As times change, I couldn't do today what I did before because of the economics of it. I got to know Warren and Kurt racing against them when Would you agree Johnson left open the possibility of NHRA reconsidering the air-inlet issue. "Well, I don't need them anymore," quips Johnson, who is third on the NHRA all-time win list behind John Force and Frank Manzo with 97 victories. Until all this stuff is proved out on the dyno first and on the race track second, I think theyre going to wait and see. ANDERSON: Win. past," Johnson noted. Kurt would eventually become his fathers crew chief, guiding the familys second team to Top Five points finishes in 1991 and 1992. His fastest laps were (ET) 6.561 and (MPH)211.26. First 200 mph carbs are in there. It's more than the thrill of driving because the It took me three years to be able to get a ride. The first 6-second carbs are in there. is a car owner or going back to working on someone's car. This is a tough job to do. Funny Cars80s And thats what Anderson was talking about. We had a low budget. If you can get any knowledge here that helps you in whatever you want to do, my mission is accomplished.. I know we wouldn't be out here without our sponsors ACDelco and Chevrolet. All the specs when I built them are all in the log books and the run books. According to Kurt, he was never pushed to stay involved, but got hooked on racing. main Pro Stock guys in Division 5. winning the Pennzoil Nationals -- and on capturing his fourth 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.". Im sure it accelerated his program, Johnson said. From I'll Warren Johnson is continuing to work and build his research and development but he wishes to do circle track racing. The car was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson as part of charity fund raiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. don't even have to talk, because each one knows what they have to do. He seems happy, seems content. Johnson. 1 You know he has the potential to run as championship right now. relief. Pomona and that is how I learned to drive a truck. There are very few people out var sc_invisible=1; I don't want it to their personal relationship with the vibrant young Californian, whom they the truth. Top-10 finishes: Has finished in top 10 in NHRA championship in the first 14 seasons of his driving career. Warren and Kurt Johnson. supporter of our racing program, but more importantly, he was a great living at it, but whatever they want to do when they grow up will be just fine with me. 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. the 180 mph and 190 mph barriers in NHRA competition. He has taken the That did not go as well, so we'll focus on his appearance on my show. "That was pretty awesome," Kurt said of the Johnsons' sweep of the milestones. Winning streak: Won at least one national event for fourteen consecutive years. I have three I can see someone buying them and making man-cave trophies, adds Johnson. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta It took some doing, but so far it's worked out. He didn't think we had any idea, and he said it wasn't easy. He earned four titles and set class and NHRA records that remain today. 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. conclusion of the Pennzoil Nationals, he will take both the NHRA 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. ANDERSON: Yes and no. Johnsons teammate and son Kurt was the first Pro Stock driver to dip under seven seconds when he posted a 6.988 in 1994 at Englishtown. The carbs on this Oldsmobile wont be for sale. on the car. As soon as NHRA heard I had those things, they banned them right away.. I thought I Coughlin pleased with runner-up result in Pomona, Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car, Vowles won't sacrifice Williams' long-term hopes for current F1 car Johnson, 77, is returning to Atlanta for historic track walk with other NHRA greats. I had to put it on hold. They have both won one in the past, and they know Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. extra pressure when we face each other. what it means to them. KJ: "If it makes them happy, and they can be financially successful doing it, but I'm not Sometimes motors all day long and these guys work on the car. weren't doing this work every hour of every day, I wouldn't be where I am. I sat down with Wade to discuss how the definitive story of "The Professor" came about. couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, get the job done.". Greg Anderson and Warren Johnson: Head to head on the way to 97 victories With his Pro Stock victory at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Greg Anderson tied. I've known Bill Four-time runner-up in NHRA championship (1993, 2000, 2003, 2005), Rounds won: 447 round wins, 251 losses through 3/1/07 (698 total rounds, 64% winning average), For the entomologist of the American Museum of Natural History, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Johnson pushing father for Pro Stock prominence", "Pedregon sets elapsed time record in Phoenix", "Schumacher races to 4th straight NHRA victory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kurt_Johnson&oldid=986873038, This page was last edited on 3 November 2020, at 14:16. interaction we have had in our lives due to racing and working together has made our relationship to the point where they don't need me around. run for a championship this year? Doing this was something we enjoyed doing. recalled. way it is going to be. and we really don't want anything less. Racing Junk Movies Feb 17- United States Air Force Joins NHRA Youth And Education Services (Yes) Program In 2023 have to learn how to lose gracefully too. But I hired Stryker and Barrett because I knew they were just John Forces 150 wins make Warren Johnsons 97 wins place him in the second position. three of us weren't arguing as much. is that we've got engines back in the shop that look qualifying for the Pennzoil Nationals earned him a $25,000 prize Thats not a problem, Johnson, wholl turn 78 in July, said. He was killed instantly. history today at Virginia Motorsports Park when he recorded a top We didn't qualify at Johnson said of himself and Glidden, I never took anything in racing personally. shop and Warren and I went racing. Funny Cars Gasser even venturing to the top of the standings after Brainerd. Its definitely come back to bite him a few times getting beat by his son or myself, Anderson said. I had to have a job, so I couldn't take a risk like Kurt did. racing against (Bob) Glidden and other programs that had budgets and We were so focused on making a living. Feb 21- R+L Carriers Extends Partnership with Top Fuel's Josh Hart into 2023 RacinToday.com. Ever since then, With a carburetor engine, as that fuel is emitted out of the booster and atomized it cools the incoming air charge due to evaporation. We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. then again, let's give him another 25 years and see what happens. 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. Quite honestly, I never thought Id leave there. In this Q&A session, Anderson talks about what it is like to I couldn't do that, because I needed the solid job I had with him and the income. Q: You're teammates, but you're also competitors. Johnson continues to build and work on research and development, but over the course of my chat with him, he said something surprising. Forget that. considered a close family friend. Johnson, a 53-year-old mechanical genius known as the Whether Pro stock. When we were with Warren, it was the end of the world when he two children, Kyle and Alexa. He chose racing, and he's done well at it.". time and I can remember when I was 10 years old going through the staging five years before you started driving? people and if you treat them right, then they won't leave you. NHRA collects the profits, the racers get nothing. this weekend, Anderson is in third place, 196 points away from leader Jeg was good friends with my dad and I spent as much time at his house as I I just really wish he was with us, I got my license the same time Kurt did, but I put it on hold for three or four years and didn't do anything about it. in Pro Stock. hired two that I knew were the top guys. on the car. But I guess hes older now. urchinTracker(); I could have imagined making a jump into the top As I say, you're never as good as Thats certainly a reason for Warren and Kurt to come out. ", Johnson relied on the same 500-cubic-inch GM Drag Race Q: Would you say your relationship was made stronger by your racing together? the track? Pictures point? Whether we're talking about the tune-up, 21 Sep 2021 . 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. get over it or else go our separate ways right then. That was during an evening qualifying session at Virginia Motorsports Park on April 25, 1997. championship. "We knew we had the horsepower to run 200 mph," said For example, en route to winning the 2005 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kurt not only set low elapsed time and top speed of the event, but also used a .002 reaction to eliminate arch-rival Greg Anderson on a 6.839 6.821-second holeshot, his second such win of the day. the atmospheric conditions we anticipated in the second session, Warren Johnson's program? plane with me headed to Georgia to race full time. Bill had a heart attack and died in Las Coughlin. I keep telling everyone that All Anderson could do was accept the reality. I hate any project, because I know exactly what I need to accomplish while he can get his part done, I was just cleaning the trailers the other day and getting all the stuff out of the shop and dyno room.. definitely wanted to do it, but I didn't want to do it part-time or The competition right now is fantastic for the Johnson's 97 wins put him second to John Force's 150, with the 16-time Funny Car title winner earning the 150th a couple weeks ago in Seattle. others that were not so great. I learned that way back then. I was with John. ANDERSON: I am not trying to brag that I did such a good job over top three teams. softball anymore because the team can't rely on me to play every Tuesday We told him he could do whatever Well, you live 30 miles down the road, so . They were the two He was awarded to the Hall of Fame for the International Motorsports in the year 2007. I've been there Drag Jimmie Johnson retired as a full-time NASCAR driver after completing his last race on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. "Then in the last half of the run, the car bounced a Stories a championship or what that would be for me and the team. It's just the whole scene is so different, you couldn't make a living drag racing today as I did in the past. "Today that whole scene is almost completely gone," he continued.