Words by Jon G. Knapp
Photos courtesy Warren Johnson Racing
4/13/05

As Warren Johnson makes his last campaign this year as a Pro Stock driver, we will run a series of highlights, photos and memories from each racetrack prior to each NHRA event.

WJ’S FIRST LAS VEGAS RACE & FINAL – 2000

Race Car: 2000 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Firebird

Performance: WJ Qualified Fourth, 7.075 seconds, 196.33 mph.
Defeated Kurt Johnson, Richie Stevens and Troy Coughlin
Lost to Jeg Coughlin

In Warren’s Words:

“I came here about 10 years ago when they were doing the original excavating for the site, so I had an idea of the layout, and based on what they had done in redoing Bristol, we knew going in that they were going to do a first-class job. Therefore, I was not at all surprised by the quality of the facility.

“I really don’t have a great recollection of the race, other than all the construction that was going on as we pulled into the track. They were laying asphalt, painting and putting in glass just about everywhere you looked, but they had it ready to go for the first qualifying session. Of course, it’s never memorable if you don’t win. We were obviously competitive, but just didn’t get the job done.”

Notes of the time:

* This was the 126th final round appearance of WJ’s career.

* This marked the ninth time in his career that Warren had advanced to the final round in his first race at a particular track. (The others were Gainesville, FL, Fremont and Irvine, CA, Reading, PA, Dallas and Houston, TX, Madison and Chicago, IL)

* Ron Krisher was the No. 1 qualifier with a 7.048-second elapsed time, with John Fairleigh on the bump at 7.122 seconds.

* In one of the closest races of the day, Warren reached the final by defeating Jeg’s brother Troy on a holeshot in the semifinals, using a better light and a 7.077-second elapsed time to better Coughlin’s 7.072-second pass.

* 32 cars attempted to make the inaugural SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals

* This was the final year for the venerable Pontiac Firebird, which was replaced the next year by the Pontiac Grand Am.

* The field consisted of an Oldsmobile Cutlasses, Pontiac Firebirds, Chevy Camaros, Dodge Avengers and a solitary Ford Mustang.

* Winners in other categories that day included Kenny Bernstein in Top Fuel, who defeated Joe Amato in the final, Jim Epler in Funny Car, who won his first race in seven years, and Angelle Seeling in Pro Stock Bike.