Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor": The Cars, People & Wins Behind His Pro Stock Success

by Kelly Wade

Overview

Go behind the scenes for a look at Warren Johnson's path to becoming The Professor of Pro Stock.

This new book illuminates the life and career of one of the most prolific engine builders and racers ever to compete in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, drag racing's most technologically advanced class.

Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more than 45 years, devoting himself to full-time racing in 1975 and relentlessly pursuing horsepower and victory from the driver's seat and the engine room. Johnson's devotion to research and development opened the door to a long-standing relationship with Oldsmobile and GM Performance, beginning with the birth of the Drag Racing Competition Engine (DRCE) that is still used by every competitive team in the class.

He excelled when it came to outthinking the competition and was outspoken on matters that he deemed vital. Johnson embraced thinking outside the box and pushed boundaries to affect change in terms of both safety and the advancement of the class, but he also knew when it was appropriate and necessary to put on a good show for the fans.

Through his tireless efforts and with the support of a small crew that included his wife, Arlene, and son, Kurt, Johnson claimed two IHRA championships and six NHRA world titles, along with an astounding 97 national event wins that placed him in the position of being the most-winning driver of all time in the Pro Stock category.

This book, complete with photos from the family archive and striking professional images of Johnson's many race cars, dives into it all, beginning with his childhood and early days of match racing when he developed the stern frugality and fierce resourcefulness that was the foundation of a tremendously successful, though sometimes controversial, career.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613255704
Publisher:	CarTech
Publication date:	04/30/2021
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	528,029
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Southern California native Kelly Wade entered the extraordinarily fast-paced and completely addictive world of drag racing as a reporter for the NHRA's National Dragster magazine in 2007. She has contributed feature stories to Easyriders, Super Chevy, and Drag Illustrated and provided stories and race coverage for websites such as CompetitionPlus.com, DragRaceCentral.com and NHRA.com. She is particularly fond of Pro Stock, Stock Eliminator, and Super Stock but is enthralled by drag racing in all forms. Through her business, WinLight Communications, Wade continues to share the exhilarating, ultra-competitive sport of drag racing with stories and images featuring individuals who have devoted their lives to power and speed.

Table of Contents

Dedication 6

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

Chapter 1 The Seeds of Speed 8

Chapter 2 Family Matters 18

Chapter 3 A New Class 26

Chapter 4 From Match Racing to a Major Sponsor 42

Chapter 5 Crossing the Threshold of Success 56

Chapter 6 Magnificent Milestones 70

Chapter 7 Domination in the 1990s 82

Chapter 8 The Rivalries 102

Chapter 9 The Professor's Student 116

Chapter 10 Research and Development 130

Chapter 11 Comfortable with Controversy 138

Chapter 12 Accolades and Adventure 148

Chapter 13 Postgrad 158

Appendix: Warren Johnson's Lasting Legacy 174

Editorial Reviews

This book is a well-researched account of the life and career of a racing superstar who normally shuns the spotlight. It includes plenty of facts and figures, but for my money it’s the treasure trove of amazing photos—some never seen before—that makes this book a welcome addition to my library.

Speedway Illustrated - Bruce A. Bennett

"The book is packed with little gems...There’s enough tech talk in the 178-page book to keep any gearhead happy, enough stats to make Bob Frey smile, and W.J. fans will certainly enjoy following the rise of the $1.39-an-hour welder to Pro Stock giant."

NHRA National Dragster - Phil Burgess

"A 'must' for the legions of Kurt Johnson fans, "Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins Behind His Pro Stock Success" is an inherently fascinating and informative read from cover to cover and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly welcome addition to personal, professional, community, college and university library Stock Car Racing collections."

James Cox

"This is 175 pages of great writing, great story telling, and historical reference for anyone who loves drag racing. If you love WJ and his career you need this book. If you don’t you need it twice as much."

BangShift.com - Brian Lohnes

"This is a comprehensive, chronological story that is chockablock with facts and photos."

Jim Donnelly on Wheels - Jim Donnelly