Tucson Dragway

GM Performance Parts GTO driver suggests thorough examination of Medlen incident
 
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 28, 2007 – This weekend, the POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to Baytown, TX for the fourth event of the 2007 season, the O’Reilly Spring Nationals. Under normal circumstances, one of the primary discussions heading into the race would concern performance, with competitors making sure their race cars would be ready to extract every ounce of performance each time down the quarter-mile.
 
However, in the wake of Eric Medlen’s untimely death following a testing accident in Florida, talk has deservedly concentrated on fond remembrances of the talented young racer’s life. While naturally echoing the sense of loss and sadness expressed by all, GM Performance Parts GTO pilot Warren Johnson wants to make sure that the necessary lessons are learned from this tragic event.
 
“Wally Parks founded the NHRA over 50 years ago to provide competitors a safe place to race,” said Johnson. “That premise remains in effect today. Drag racing is certainly a sport, but it is also how we make our living, so I am adamant about minimizing the risks involved. We have sadly lost one of our brightest young stars and as much as we all would like, we can’t change that. What’s important now is how we move forward.”
 
Throughout his 36-year Pro Stock career, Johnson has taken an active role in the area of racer safety. From being the first to employ the Funny Car-style roll cage in a Pro Stock race car to the energy-absorbing seat he designed a few years ago in conjunction with experts from the open-wheel racing community, “The Professor” has worked as hard at protecting competitors and fans as he has at finding horsepower. In this case, however, his goal is not to assign blame or suggest a solution. Instead, he offers a well-chosen analogy as to how he believes those in power should proceed.
 
“I know everyone agrees that losing even one life is totally unacceptable,” stated Johnson. “Therefore, I suggest that we handle this accident, as well as any on-track incident, much like the NTSB approaches a plane crash. In other words, reconstruct the event, examining every detail no matter how minute, bringing in whatever experts are needed. Every element involved that day needs to be considered from the weather and racetrack to the car, its driver and the safety equipment, painstakingly inspecting each piece individually and together, until we find out exactly what happened.
 
“We may end up realizing that there was nothing we could have done better, or we could learn something new that will help in the future. In either case, the information gathered is important to preserving the safety of those involved. Doing that, while continuing to try our very best on the track this weekend, is the only way to truly honor the memory of a great kid taken from us way too soon.”
 
Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team
By the Numbers – O’Reilly Spring Nationals edition:
 
3.04 – WJ’s average starting position in 23 Houston Raceway Park starts.
 
9 – No. 1 qualifying performances by WJ in Baytown, most recently in 2005.
 
6.587 – WJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in Gainesville, FL two weeks ago.
 
6 – WJ wins in Baytown, more than anyone in NHRA Pro Stock, most recently in 2005
 
7 – WJ Houston Raceway Park final round appearances
 
23 – Career WJ Houston appearances entering the 2007 season
 
39 – WJ HRP elimination round wins, versus 17 losses for a .696 win percentage.
 
209.69 -  WJ’s career best top speed, set in Gainesville, FL two weeks ago.
 
2005 – Year of WJ’s most recent Baytown win, when he qualified No. 1 and defeated Richie Stevens, Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Jason Line.
 
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 30:   Two qualifying sessions at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31:    Two qualifying sessions at 11:15 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1:     Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
  First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage:
Qualifying:
Saturday, March 31: 7:00 – 9:00  p.m.
Eliminations:
Sunday, April 1:           4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
NHRA RaceDay:
Sunday, April 1: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.