WJ’S FIRST NHRA BRISTOL WIN – 2002

Race Car: 2002 GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am
Performance: WJ Qualified Seventh, 6.887 seconds, 201.10 mph
Defeated Gene Wilson, George Marnell, V. Gaines and Ron Krisher

In Warren’s Words:

“One of the things I remember from that weekend was the tremendous deluge that hit Bristol Dragway shortly after the semi-finals that sent everyone scrambling for cover. Other than that, the weather conditions had been pretty decent, and they had fixed the racetrack. It was a day of extremely close racing, with several rounds won on holeshots. I remember Krisher had parked Anderson by a thousandth or so on a holeshot to reach the final. Of course, that was the year we had 15 different winners in Pro Stock, and close competition was the rule and not the exception.

“We had had a packed house, but when the rainstorm sent many of the fans to their cars, they never came back, and as a result, the stands were fairly empty for the final. The storm itself was fairly short, which didn’t give the water time to soak in, and the sun came out to help dry it in record time. In fact, the track was better after the rain than it was before, because it had cooled off, so we went for it in the final. Fortunately, we came out on top.”

Notes of the time:

* This was the 88th win of WJ’s career.

* WJ scored the win by defeating Ron Krisher on holeshot in the final, with WJ’s .033 light and 6.986-second run holding off Krisher’s .068 r.t. and 6.975-second pass.

* Troy Coughlin was the No. 1 qualifier with an elapsed time of 6.853 seconds, but lost in the second round.

* 36 cars attempted to make the 2002 Pro Stock Field.

* The field consisted of Pontiac Grand Ams and a Firebird, Chevrolet Cavaliers and a Camaro, an Oldsmobile Cutlass and Dodge Neons, Avengers and R/T.

* Other winners included Whit Bazemore in Funny Car and Larry Dixon in Top Fuel.

WJ’S BRISTOL DRAGWAY IN A NUTSHELL

“If you encompass all the races we’ve run in Bristol, we’ve done pretty well there over the years. It has come a long way from the rather crude track it was when I first raced here in 1979 to the state-of-the-art facility it is now. The only detriment that I can think of is the rain that seems to catch us there every year, which the management obviously has no control over.

“With the mountains on both sides, it’s an extremely picturesque location, and the amenities for the racers and the fans are top-notch. The few problems that arise in the day-to-day operation are addressed immediately, making it a pleasure to race there. I guess the biggest compliment I can give it is that I wouldn’t mind at all if they put a second national event there.”

DID YOU KNOW?

* Although this weekend will be only WJ’s fifth NHRA national appearance at Bristol Dragway, he has a long and storied career in Thunder Valley participating in the International Hot Rod Association’s (IHRA) Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Nationals, winning six times in nine final round appearances while running on a limited basis from 1979 to 1989.

* WJ also competed in the 1999 and 2000 NHRA Winston Showdown races at Bristol Dragway, which were all-star events.

WJ's Wrap Sheet [4-13-05] The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Edition