Sat, 17 May 2003, 07:43 AM Warren Johnson Leads Pro Stock Racers in Search of Big Bucks in King Demon Crown

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Defending event winner Warren Johnson will lead the King Demon Crown field as the No. 1 seed for the lucrative special event May 17 during the 34th annual K&N Filters SuperNationals presented by Pep Boys, May 15-18 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The $2.1 million race is the eighth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

A purse of $76,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the King Demon Crown. The winner of the 19th annual King Demon Crown will earn $50,000. The runner-up will earn $10,000, the two semifinalists $3,000 each, and the four first-round finishers $2,500 apiece.

Johnson, from Buford, Ga., qualified No. 1 at four of the 23 NHRA national events that drivers could earn King Demon Crown points. It is Johnson's 19th career appearance in the Duel.

The $145,000 King Demon Crown showcases the eight best Pro Stock qualifiers during a 23 race span between the 2002 K&N Filters SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., and 2003 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Besides the $76,000 available in the King Demon Crown, bonuses of $69,000 also are available to quick Pro Stock qualifiers throughout the King Demon Crown series.

Drivers accumulated points during qualifying at those events, and a $3,000 bonus was awarded to the No. 1 qualifier at each race.

This year's King Demon Crown field features four past winners, three rookies and a sophomore participant. Johnson, a three-time winner of the special event, will face rookie Mark Whisnant in the first round. Two other rookies, No. 2 seed Greg Anderson and No. 7 seed Allen Johnson, will also meet in the first round. Ron Krisher will be making his second start in the bonus event from the No. 3 position and will face two-time winner Jim Yates. Jeg Coughlin, a two-time winner, will race another two-time winner, Kurt Johnson.

King Demon Crown rounds are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., 2:35 p.m. and 4 p.m. on May 17.

2003 KING DEMON CROWN FINAL STANDINGS
1. Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am             3315
2. Greg Anderson, Jacksonville, N.C., Vegas General Construction Chevy Cavalier   3035
3. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Valvoline Chevy Cavalier                            2920
4. Jeg Coughlin Jr., Columbus, Ohio, Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier              2800
5. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., ACDelco Chevy Cavalier                       2695
6. Jim Yates, Alexandria, Va., SplitFire/Peak Pontiac Grand Am                    2540
7. Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T               2455
8. Mark Whisnant, Stockbridge, Ga., RW Performance Chevy Cavalier                 2125

2003 KING DEMON CROWN ROUND PAIRINGS
FIRST ROUND (12:30 p.m.): 
W. Johnson vs. Whisnant
Anderson vs. A. Johnson
Krisher vs. Yates
Coughlin vs. K. Johnson.

SEMIFINALS (2:35 p.m.): 
W. Johnson-Whisnant winner vs. Coughlin-K. Johnson winner
Anderson-A. Johnson winner vs. Krisher-Yates winner

FINAL (4 p.m.)

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