Mon, 8 Sep 2008, 12:24 PM Justin Humphreys Returns to Pontiac with Motors from Warren Johnson

Courtesy of Joe Sherk

Justin Humphreys will be back in his familiar, family-operated RaceRedi Motorsports Pontiac GXP for the inaugural Carolina Nationals at the spectacular new zMAX Dragway next week in Concord, N.C. - with assistance from another drag racing Johnson family.

Humphreys made the announcement Friday as he and his crew were installing a General Motors power plant supplied by veteran driver/engine builder Warren Johnson. Humphreys has been driving a Dodge from Don Schumacher that was powered by Allen and Roy Johnson motors for the last 10 races.

"We definitely want to thank Roy and Allen Johnson and Don Schumacher for allowing us to use their equipment and compete," Humphreys said. "We have thoroughly enjoyed working with them and their crew chief, Mark Ingersoll. They are all great people and we have a lot of respect for them.

"We made the decision because we needed to get back to racing our Pontiac GXP. We need to gather data at the remaining six races that we can use next year. That was an important factor in our decision. We are very excited to be working with Warren and Kurt Johnson. Hopefully this decision will be beneficial for everyone. "

Humphreys, nominated for NHRA's 2007 Rookie of the Year honors, was forced to park his Pontiac three months ago when his engine supplier departed. He was contending for one of the 10 Countdown to 1 spots until then and he remains 12th going into the Carolina Nationals.

Humphreys said Frank Gugliotta, his crew chief, will be with the team next week.

"We have been working at the Johnson's shop (in Sugar Hill, Ga.), getting the motor in the car and we are looking forward to making some test runs somewhere before the race."

Kurt Johnson was the No. 2 Countdown to 1 qualifier while his father was 11th, 60 points ahead of Humphreys.

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