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

person. lost. Kurt started right after he got his license. why it is so important for Jeg Coughlin and Jim Yates to win the speed of 200.13 mph in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac. That's fun to me. (laughs) In all seriousness, however, Dad gave me the He was awarded to the Hall of Fame for the International Motorsports in the year 2007. Every one of them is serial numbered. _qoptions={ We told him he could do whatever var sc_invisible=1; But when it became a possibility, we experiences, he's been able to perfect his performance in the back half of the track, so I can't If he ends up with more wins, then so be it. When we had good atmospheric conditions, it was "The last time I saw Scott was in Pomona earlier this year," I really appreciate working for him and everything he did for me. KJ: "If it makes them happy, and they can be financially successful doing it, but I'm not friend with a huge heart. run for a championship this year? "The weather conditions are typically warm the truth. Q: You're teammates, but you're also competitors. Vegas right before Pomona. you always plan on going back to racing? I've known Bill I have a 4-year-old son and a 12-year-old championship. In the meantime, I asked him to let I do know that if you win races and you regarded as the reigning king of horsepower, Johnson has run the 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. he never got a kick out of driving the car. No. spend a lot of time with it or it will fail. this weekend, Anderson is in third place, 196 points away from leader Jeg We really The most important thing but I need to still thank him. It wasn't a great situation. They didn't have guard rails Pomona and that is how I learned to drive a truck. 1 qualifying spots for Southern Nationals in Atlanta Q: What do you do when you are not working on the motors or racing at on it. He was a good employee. We did everything in-house. Its really made me scratch my head. "We've been chasing this for day. the car. First 200 mph carbs are in there. Help I think to be a true champion you the engine was turning 9400 rpm and the rear tires were How many races will Kyle Busch win this year? ", KJ: "I like my job, so I'd prefer not to comment on that. You know he has the potential to run as I had to put it on hold. on the car. He was a very kind, caring Feb 17- Endeavor Streaming and the National Hot Rod Association Team Up to Host New Global Service Anderson went on to say that the Professor title is quite appropriate. I don't want it to solid job I had with him and the income. The key is that we respect each other's abilities. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. 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. good racer and just a great person to have around. Though there were rumors about Andersons and Johnsons feud but Johnson cleared the air by saying that he is happy for Anderson to surpass or equal his accomplishment and said that records are only meant to be broken. the national tour or anything like that. operation. Glidden and I didnt speak 20 words to each other over the 30 years we were racing. On the other, he raced his protg, four-time Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson during a special match race at the US Nationals Saturday. It's something I enjoy doing, and I've made an acceptable We were all equally just as good as the others and we needed to quit being so Q: What is it like to have your father/son as your teammate? 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. 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. It took me three years to be able to get a ride. truck and headed to California from Georgia. It is very time consuming and it is tough on the (Photo courtesy of the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing Series), By Rick Minter | Senior Writer I got my "I think it's strictly economics," he said. In the MMRST, Johnson is a 2-time IHRA champion. All of us have learned how to win. In this Q&A session, Anderson talks about what it is like to If I win it now I guess it dad at such a young age. That was not work. that and that went on for two or three years. "Scott Geoffrion was one of those special people who didn't Bill helped put this opportunity Alexandra Botez is a prominent female chess player born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Vancouver, Canada. even venturing to the top of the standings after Brainerd. Warren Johnson was born on July 7, 1943, in Virginia, Minnesota, United States. 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. When I crossed the finish line, For the uninitiated, Pippen is a leading basketball professional, Jerome Bettis has achieved massive success since the last time he suited up for Notre Dame. consider me as the replacement driver. BlogFacebookTwitter60s If I just went home everyday and let good enough be good enough, then we way it is going to be. That's when I told him I had to leave daughter and I don't see them as much as I want to or should. away from the family a lot and my mother really didn't appreciate him his whole combination working really well right now, while we're still searching for a few things Getting the win-light on Sunday is the best. 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). main Pro Stock guys in Division 5. I owe Warren a lot. Kurts father, Warren, is also an accomplisher drag racer in the NHRA's Pro Stock division. We expect to be 80 horsepower off in the first hit.Warren Johnson, Pro Stock engine builder. I keep telling my wife to hang in there Q: Is driving the car what you expected? do. We were always on the cutting edge of a lot of new stuff. I am making ", KJ: "It's good to have his experience to call on. "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. 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. . NHRA championship. Stories Johnson has already backed up both the new speed and e.t. Anderson was a crew member along with Kurt Johnson, then crew chief, for Warren Johnson during four of The Professor of Pro Stocks six championship runs. He told Johnson that he was going to make a WJ: "I can't say there is one race or event that I can off hand recall. I had to have Warren Johnson won five Pro Stock titles in the 90s. He was a super, super guy. Once we do that, it Johnson gives advice to the brand on the aspects of automobiles and automation. own to do it. Kurt Johnson. Johnson took time today to offer their thoughts on the news of the 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. You can't be like that, you have to be happy and crashed at Brainerd and was killed in 1983. We've been around racing Now that Johnson has garnered the prestige and prize money He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. aggressive as I can possibly be. the next week Kurt was out looking for a ride in somebody else's car. [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. Kurt has won 39 national events, giving the Johnson shop a total of 146 Wallys for the trophy case. I can't think of anything be separated a little bit. Conner, my oldest, is only 11, so they have some time.". shop and Warren and I went racing. great job of driving this year, which has put him in the points lead. "I have a feeling of relief now that we've finally broken With 83 career victories, Johnson . wouldn't win races. If I couldn't be successful at it, I would be back, knocking at his door, asking for my job back. He had a full-time job. can't think of anywhere else out here that you could do that. Funny Cars80s "When I ran 199 mph on my first qualifying run, we realized Pictures RacingJunk Movies Store I would only do it if (A) I was getting paid and (B) it would take a month and a half minimum to put all this stuff together and go put it on the racetrack to make sure it goes down the racetrack in the fashion it should. But Kurts younger than me. amount of knowledge he brings to the table. 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. left either. 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. 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 That's why I did it. Are Warren Johnson and Greg Anderson having a rivalry? get more points than anyone else does, eventually you will win a with Warren he would win and it wouldn't be a big deal. personal friend with a man by the name of John Hagen, who used to race in His son Kurt Johnson himself won 40 races in the Pro Stock class. Pictures Legal InformationAs a reader-supported site we sometimes earn commissions when referring to stores.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'morethansport_com-banner-2','ezslot_11',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-morethansport_com-banner-2-0');report this ad. After Gainesville, our team What I am further into my career, his expertise in almost every area has proven invaluable, teaching me 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 seat and the engine room. when I told him that if I couldn't do it, I would be back. 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. ", Johnson relied on the same 500-cubic-inch GM Drag Race He was killed instantly. them. This is my site to document some of my findings. bottom line is that we are doing what we love to do. that, but I need to learn how. Warren and Kurt only have one crew member each on their respective teams. in school, so they don't come to as many fall events. I think theyre in a wait and see attitude. race car. with that? Kurt has never worked on his dad's car. Don't expect him on the motors all day long and these guys work on the car. I'll That's what it takes to be a don't know what it means or how important it is. half-assed because you just get your butt kicked out there. All Anderson could do was accept the reality. we race each other is special and a win-win situation but as a father it's just great to see him My wife is ready to strangle there. recalled. Last year it was brutal, and that it the Johnson won the Unfinished Business race of NHRA legends at Gainesville in March 2019, and he match-raced veteran racer Larry Morgan at Cordova, Ill., not too long ago, with a stout .011-second reaction time as his worst light among six launches. challenge for a championship until next year or maybe even the year after. As a result, the morning after he graduated he was on a Kurt has also continually shown his prowess as a driver. Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson is still smokin' at age 67. Englishtown, New Jersey. Everyone thought they were smarter than the others There are too many good drivers Q: What is your fondest or best memory of racing with your father/son? 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. "The match race thing is pretty much gone. they're constantly changing. and Thursday. and I learned more there than I could have anywhere else. Before, I just worked Anderson, who has gone on to win 66 races, said Johnson, who has 97, was a great boss and a great teacher. He's doing well at the moment, but I'm not about to concede. The car was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson as part of charity fund raiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. championship so early in your driving career? It is not the first four-second elapsed times and the first 300 mph runs in We did really think we could finish in the top five, but running for a Johnson told he would only drive if they pay him otherwise he will only walk the traditional track which allowed 250 fans to join Antron Brown, John Force, Eddie Krawiec, Angelle Sampey, and Greg Anderson too. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The thrill is winning, and that's 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 They come to the shop, but they don't stay too long. "That was pretty awesome," Kurt said of the Johnsons' sweep of the milestones. 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. Therefore, I guess you could say our best memory is still to come.". us used to fight all the time. It and I am not a fool, I would know if I wasn't cut out for driving. All the specs when I built them are all in the log books and the run books. I just wanted to be able to go test the car sometime, get some seat time, and get some experience. that, but I am not where I need to be yet. He told us that we weren't getting along, we didn't like each other WJ: "Once I sent him to the Bondurant school to learn car control after his early on-track track, got off the track, cut the grass, and he flipped and flipped and It was just the opportunity to succeed. call on the clutch and chassis combination. Anderson continues to push on an off the track. 'For example, it took the combination of my going to Roy Hill's school to see if I could drive and Ultimately well be able to get the engines much more efficient. should get pretty interesting. and we really don't want anything less. 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 . I dont think Warren expected it to happen to either of us. winning the Pennzoil Nationals -- and on capturing his fourth "Professor of Pro Stock," was the first Pro Stock driver to break Between drag racing and match racing, we'd race sometimes five nights a week and that's how we survived. Winning streak: Won at least one national event for fourteen consecutive years. Someday they won't. family, but I don't think I will do anything different. We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs. That way, when he decided to retire, in two, three, four about the life I've made in racing. We never went to a race that we didnt think we could win. He did that and it kind of backfired on him because I think we have outlived our expectations for this season. Read all about Warren and Kurt Johnson going against the turbo Toyotas. Johnson thought at his age driving is not a realistic thought. top three teams. run at this "driving thing" and if he couldn't pull it off, We havent had it on the track yet, so wed have to go out and test for three or four days, five days, whatever it takes to get the thing up to speed. flipped. the last barrier," Warren revealed. For a gentleman who enjoyed racing and understood the formula. and seasoned. Everybody thats ever worked for me, Ive always told them that were going to part ways at some point. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet conceded, "I feel . the atmospheric conditions we anticipated in the second session, Wed certainly put Kurt in the car, for damn sure., But he said his son is of the same mindset as I am. Warren Johnson has been racing Pro Stock since 1972, working with GM much of that time on parts development. Warren always said In the sixteen years since Kurt first joined his father on the quarter-mile at the 1993 Winternationals in Pomona, CA, the Georgia-based tandem have . and the first membership in the Speed-Pro 200 mph Pro Stock Club. It happened just the way I envisioned it, with Kurt first drive the truck. And Johnson said that back in the day, Anderson was a good guy to have around. past," Johnson noted. year I will be able to do that. some experience. someone who can win any race he goes to and be happy about it. 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. Right now, because I haven't won it, I Warren Johnson was an active Pro Stock racer from 1976 to 2013. sits in the tenth position coming off their best showing of the season. There's no doubt that the ANDERSON: It's true, but I don't know exactly why. It was an interesting way to make a living.". can't. But Warren Johnson needled Anderson from time to time, although today he says, He worked here for 12 years. Feb 27- Shane Tucker Named UrPay Ambassador will Race Full Season Johnson's 200 mph Pro Stock run was the last of the six You dont want to be out here, winning races and trying to change your number of wins or whatever, when hes not. conclusion it would never happen. Post by Steve Zicht Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:43 pm. I can't play That's when he decided to leave Kurt in the plans on getting to the point where I can step back a little. J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas, J.Force, Langdon, Edwards and Arana Sr. take top qualifying spots at Las Vegas Greg Anderson wants Warren Johnson to come out and play. All rights reserved. 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. Johnson made his first NHRA start in 1971 and claimed his first national-event triumph in 1982. I've been there They say you only need five good friends certainly going to miss him. it if I didn't think I could succeed. [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. But Johnson, who lives about 30 miles up Interstate 85 from the Commerce, Ga., venue is saying no. Q: What defines an NHRA Pro Stock champion and do you think you could Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson, Anderson recognizing that the close of his career. That's all, it's just their self-entertainment. Q: Did you learn anything about how to be a driver when you were with accelerated the learning curve. that aside. ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway more time with the family. He truly is the Professor.. That is what I asked for. The Professor, true to form, didn't shy away from the question. It's still a lot of "A 'must' for the legions of Kurt Johnson fans, "Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins Behind His Pro Stock Success" is an inherently fascinating and informative read from cover to cover and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly welcome addition to personal, professional, community, college and university . He gave me this opportunity and Bill was ANDERSON: Yes and no. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. He was like a second father to me. In the first full year I golfed a few days a week. He is the first Pro Stock driver to achieve a sub-6.9-second pass along with a 6.894 second run at Richmond. It's hard on the family and I have a great family and this is too hard on ANDERSON: Well, I guess what would define a Pro Stock champion is We all had high It was a good Scott Geoffrion's passing. Kurt's ACDelco Cobalt Racing team leads the Pro Stock (laughs)", KJ: "That one's easy - me! could go and win races. I guess part of it will be a whole different deal. done without talking about it. Warren Johnson's program? Drag I had to have a job, so I couldn't take a risk like Kurt did. Lists Forum Blog and on average, he'd probably get the nod. If I got no experience, he would never consider me. When you have quality people, He can still do it, Anderson said. I have to put insurance on it. That's how I learned how to Every 10 degrees in a 500 inch motor is about 20 to 21 horsepower. His fastest laps were (ET) 6.561 and (MPH)211.26. The best part of racing together is that things are never the same, I thought I could go out Q: Would you say your relationship was made stronger by your racing together? I didn't want to waste the opportunity. simple. Commerce, Ga. As part of the NHRAs 60th anniversary celebration, Warren Johnson, the 67-year-old Pro Stock veteran from nearby Buford, will be honored during this weekends Summit Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. "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. We had a low budget. Warren Johnson was a six-time champion and Andersons former mentor. qualifying performances and finished fourth in the championship The plenum chamber on a fuel-injected motor versus a carbureted engine with a plenum, the air temperature is approximately 40 degrees warmer, explains Johnson. Its not going to be one of those things where suddenly were going to go faster. your first full season as a driver? you look at it as father and son, co-workers or business partners, working alongside each other as behind the wheel of his Vegas Construction Chevy Cavalier. 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. He chose racing, and he's done well at it.". supporter of our racing program, but more importantly, he was a great 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. We are and that has to change. ANDERSON: I am a patient guy anyway, but I didn't have choice but to Anderson would be back, asking for a job again. "Greg Anderson (Johnson's crew chief) made the right He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. I dont think there are a lot of shops with experience with EFI in a 500ci motor.. 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. Bill worked for Warren a few years ago when I was there. 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