WJ’S FIRST NHRA NATIONAL EVENT WIN – ENGLISHTOWN 1982

In Warren’s Words:

“Ironically, I was once again racing an unconventional car, an Oldsmobile Starfire with a big-block Chevy engine. Once again, I’ve never been one to follow the crowd – I like to forge my own path, developing things that others have left alone. In this case, it proved to be quite successful.

“I guess you could say that our performance that weekend was the birth of the GM DRCE program, because the Oldsmobile people took note of our accomplishments, and approached me after that race about doing the engine program for 1983. It was one win that helped to cement my long-term future in the sport.”

Notes of the time:

1. This was the first win of WJ’s illustrious career, and came in his fifth final round appearance.

2. This also marked the first time that an Oldsmobile had registered a national event win in NHRA Pro Stock competition.

3. This was the 41st start of Warren’s NHRA Pro Stock career.

4. WJ defeated Lee Shepherd on a hole-shot, with a 7.914-second, 173.74 mph run to Shepherd’s 7.903-second, 174.41 mph effort.

5. Shepherd was driving for the legendary Reher-Morrison team, who now compete with veteran Bruce Allen behind the wheel.

6. Warren also had the quickest pass of the first round at 7.879-seconds.

7. With the win, WJ’s career elimination round win record stood at 40-38, marking the beginning of a 23-year, 420-race streak where his career record has been above the .500 mark.

8. Lee Shepherd was the No. 1 qualifier with a track-record 7.798-second e.t., and Harold Robinson was on the bump with his 8.073-second effort.

9. The Pro Stock field was made up of WJ’s Oldsmobile Starfire, Chevrolet Camaros and Monzas, Pontiac Trans Ams, Dodge Chargers and Glidden’s Ford EXP.

10. Other professional winners that weekend included Mark Oswald in Top Fuel defeating Jeb Allen in the final, and current team owner Don Prudhomme in Funny Car, who edged current ESPN analyst Mike Dunn in the championship round.

WJ’S MOST RECENT ENGLISHTOWN WIN – 1993

Race Car: 1993 GM Performance Parts Olds Cutlass
Performance: WJ Qualified First, 7.076 seconds, 195.99 mph
Defeated Todd Tutterow, Rickie Smith, Bruce Allen and Kurt Johnson