Bristol: Warren Johnson teleconference

Warren Johnson NHRA Teleconference
GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Grand Am

BRISTOL, Tenn., April 25, 2001 - He really didn't go far, but make no doubt about it, the "Professor" is back. Warren Johnson, driver of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Grand Am, travels to Bristol Dragway for this weekend's inaugural Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in first place in the NHRA Pro Stock standings after impressive victories earlier this year at Phoenix and Houston.

The five-time Winston Pro Stock champion (1992-93, 1995, 1998-99) will be looking for his third win this season at the Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on April 27-29, the sixth stop on the 24-event NHRA Winston championship tour. Warren was a guest on the NHRA teleconference held in conjunction with this event.

On the battle with Jeg Coughlin Jr.

"Well it's not only Jeg. It's Mark Pawuk, Jim Yates, Bruce Allen and Kurt Johnson. It's probably about a four- to six-car battle for the championship. Brad Jeter has really started to improve, especially in his driving. It's not going to be an easy year for anyone. You're going to have to stay on top of your game and stay focused."

Are you where you want to be with the Grand Am at this point of the season?

"We're not exactly where we had hoped we'd be, but we're not that far off either. We've got a few things that we haven't figured out yet. But mostly we're just trying to be more consistent. The chassis setup is a little different from the Firebird so we've had to adjust to that, but overall I would say that we're not far off from where we wanted to be to be competitive."

Does running for the points battle spice things up a little bit for you?

"Yeah, it does a little bit. Last year we used as a developing year with the Firebird. It's not that we didn't want to be competitive, we were just trying new things for this year. Jeggie was very good last year and definitely deserved the championship. But, this year we're working hard and trying to get these Grand Am's figured out and get them to the winner's circle a little more often. There's still a few areas on the car that we haven't been able to attend to but it's coming around. If we get decent weather conditions so we can go and test at the Atlanta track, we should be pretty competitive this season."

What are some of the major changes you've seen throughout your drag racing career?

"I would have to say that my view of drag racing has changed a lot. In the beginning you were just going out every weekend to work on your car and have a fun time. But now it's gotten to be more of an entertainment industry. We're providing entertainment for the spectators. The coverage has gotten bigger as well, and the television package has certainly helped."

Are we going to see any more television ads with you in them?

"You know, those were really fun to do.  I've never done anything like that
before so it was new to me and fun.  I don't know of any others that I'm
going to be doing, but I did enjoy doing the ones I did.  It was new and
different.  Overall I've had a positive response from everyone about them."

-GM Racing-