NHRA News: W.J. to retire from driving following 2005 season (11/14/2004)

W.J. to retire from driving following 2005 season

By Phil Burgess, NHRA.com
11/13/2004

"Stopping driving just allows me the time to do all of the things I never had the time to do; I was born handicapped – I only have two hands."

– Warren Johnson

Warren Johnson, Pro Stock's winningest driver and a six-time NHRA champion, will retire from driving following a final season in competition in 2005.

Johnson, known as "The Professor" for his scholarly approach to the sport, has played a vital role in the evolution of the Pro Stock race car from a modified version of a production vehicle to the purpose-built thoroughbred currently used in competition.

Following a 2005 tour known as "School's Out," Johnson will step out of the GM Performance Parts Grand Am's driver's seat and continue developing parts and performance for the effort of his son, Kurt, and a to-be-named replacement for his entry.

"I didn't say I was going to stop drag racing, just stop driving," said Johnson. "We'll have Kurt in his car next year and another driver in my car, and perhaps even a third car. Stopping driving just allows me the time to do all of the things I never had the time to do; I was born handicapped – I only have two hands.

"Driving has never fascinated me. When I started, Arlene said she didn't want to drive, Kurt was too young, and NHRA wouldn't give the dog a license. I've never had any qualms about stepping out of the seat, as long as it was the best approach for our organization, and this seems like the right time.

"Of course, I still have one full season behind the wheel, and both Kurt and I will both be trying to win the championship, and based on some of our recent developmental work, I believe next year could be our best in terms of competitiveness. I know that's a pretty bold statement considering how many good cars there are in Pro Stock, but I think we're going to step up and raise the bar."

"Warren Johnson has been a valued member of the GM SPO family since 1986, but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end," said Jim Moloney, Director of Marketing for GM Accessories. "Therefore, throughout the course of the 2005 season, GM Performance Parts will celebrate Warren Johnson's illustrious career with 'The Professor's School's Out' tour, which will be a year-long celebration of the man and everything he has done, not only for the sport of drag racing, but for GM Performance Parts.

Added General Motors Drag Racing Manager Fred Simmonds, "When you think about General Motors and drag racing, one name comes to mind, and obviously that's 'the Professor,' Warren Johnson. I can't think of any driver whose had a more important impact on his class than Warren Johnson, from a performance standpoint and even a safety standpoint. Take a look at the roll cages in a Pro Stock car; that's Warren Johnson. The beadlock tires? Warren was on the leading edge of that technology. Everyone knows that the stats – 92 wins, 130 poles – he is Mr. General Motors Drag Racing."

"I've had a pretty fortunate career in Pro Stock drag racing, and it probably wouldn't have happened like it did without the support of General Motors, Pontiac, and GM Performance Parts," Johnson acknowledged. "All of them had contributed to the safety and performance of these vehicles.

Warren Johnson's Pro Stock Career Highlights:

Six NHRA Pro Stock Championships

92 National Event Wins*

143 Final Round Appearances*

130 No. 1 qualifying performances**

134 Low Elapsed Times of the Event**

198 Top Speeds of the Event**

Six Time U.S. Nationals Champion

453 Career races, spanning from 1971 to 2004

* The most by any driver in Pro Stock history; second only to John Force among all NHRA professional categories.
** - The most among all NHRA professional categories

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