Sat, May 30, 03:08 PM The Warren Report

Courtesy of Rick Voegelin Fram Route 66 Nationals

JOLIET, Ill. - Warren Johnson qualified his GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac on the Pro Stock "pole" in the first day of qualifying at the Fram Route 66 Nationals. Johnson ran a 6.978-second elapsed time to establish the track e.t. record.

"Everyone was a little apprehensive about the new race track, but I don't think that was quite justified," Warren reported. "This track isn't as 'green' as everyone thinks it is. As new tracks are being built, there is a lot of input from other facilities so the surface don't require the curing time that they needed in the past. This track is a testament to the people who built this facility; they really did their homework to produce a track surface that was race-ready right off the bat.

"We used a 'safe' setup that will go down just about any track," Johnson revealed. "There's a little left it in, but I'm sure that everyone else took the same approach. If we see any improvement in the weather conditions, we could pick up two or three hundredths. The Saturday morning session could be the best of the weekend because the fuel cars will have put more rubber on the track.

"The Pro Stocks speeds are down about 1.5 mph from where we should be running because we're actually spinning the tires at the top end. As far as smoothness, this track ranks right up there with Gainesville. Once the rubber builds up, this will be as nice a facility as we race on.

KURT QUOTES. Kurt Johnson qualified his ACDelco Camaro in the No. 8 spot at 7.012/197.13, posting the fastest Pro Stock speed in the first two qualifying sessions.

"We had a new clutch in the car, with some friction materials we haven't run before," Kurt commented. "The 60-foot time was way off, and it spun the tires hard. We've got to get it right on the starting line.

"Coming to a new track, you have to pay attention to the air, do a visual inspection of the surface and try to compare it to a track you've raced on before. This track is very smooth, especially on the top end. I had time to pop a new CD in the player in fourth gear!"