WJ'S MOST RECENT BANDIMERE WIN - 2003

Race Car: 2003 GM Performance Parts Grand Am
Performance: WJ Qualified Ninth, 7.265 seconds, 190.67 mph
Defeated George Marnell, Greg Anderson, Mike Edwards and Jeg Coughlin

In Warren's Words:

"We had gone up and tested in Denver prior to the race, and after not running as well as we would have liked in qualifying we made some aggressive tuning changes for Sunday based off what we had learned. Fortunately, we were able to pick up our performance by several hundredths, which made the difference between winning and losing.

"Of course, many people may also remember our last qualifying pass, where a water hose came off and prevented us from making the run. I was highly critical of our effort in a television interview right after it happened, but I believe we more than made up for it on race day."

Notes of the time:

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* This win was the 91st of WJ's career.

* This was Warren's fourth win in nine final round appearances at Bandimere Speedway.

* This was also the 141st national event final round of WJ's career.

* This was also WJ's third win in 2003, of a total of four he would score that year.

* This was WJ's first win from the ninth starting position.

* Greg Anderson was the No. 1 qualifier with a 7.205-second elapsed time, but was eliminated by WJ in the second round.

* Current David Connolly crew chief Terry Adams was the 16th and final qualifier with a 7.293-second e.t.

* The Pro Stock line-up included Pontiac Grand Ams and a solitary Firebird, Chevrolet Cavaliers, Dodge Stratus and Neons, and a Ford Escort ZX2.

* Other winners that weekend included Larry Dixon who defeated Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel final, and John Force, who won his first race of the year by edging Cruz Pedregon in the Funny Car final.

WJ'S BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY IN A NUTSHELL

"The Bandimeres and their staff should be the poster children for track management. Without a doubt there is not another track on the entire NHRA circuit that is run more aggressively than Bandimere Speedway.

"They get the whole community involved, with everyone within a 100 mile radius knowing of the track and its events. From their tremendous 'Race to Read' program, to their work with local law enforcement, to working with area auto dealers, they have something going on there six days a week.

"As a result of their efforts, they also have the funds to keep updating the facility. I remember when I first went there, the pits were down at the bottom of the hill where parking is now, almost everything was gravel with only the racetrack being paved, and the spectator seating was no where near what it is today.