Words by Jon G. Knapp
Photos courtesy Warren Johnson Racing
7/21/05

WJ'S FIRST SEATTLE RACE - 1975

Race Car: 1975 Chevrolet Camaro
Performance: WJ Qualified Fifth, 8.96 seconds
Lost to Bob Glidden

In Warren's Words:

"I don't remember too much about that particular race other than I was probably racing the heaviest car out there with that big-block Camaro.

"It was what I call a floor model, because I built it from whatever was laying on the shop floor. I'm not complaining by any stretch of the imagination, because we all have to start someplace. My career was still in its infancy, so we did the best with what we had available to us."

Notes of the time:

* This was only the fifth NHRA Pro Stock national event start of WJ's career

* At the time, this race was the next-to-the-last on the NHRA schedule, and was known as the Fallnationals.

* WJ's fifth starting position was the best to that point of his extremely young Pro Stock career.

* Warren was also the quickest of the big-block Camaros.

* Bob Glidden set both ends of the national record in qualifying with his 8.72-second, 156.25 mph pass in claiming the No. 1 position.

* Pete Kost captured the eighth and final starting position with his 9.06-second effort.

* The varied field was comprised of Chevrolet Camaros, Vegas and Monzas, Ford Pintos and Mavericks, Plymouth Dusters, Pontiac Astres and Dodge Darts.

* Winners in other professional categories included Gary Beck over Marvin Graham in Top Fuel and Don Prudhomme over Tom McEwen in a classic "Snake vs. Mongoose" match-up in Funny Car.