JUSTIN HUMPHREYS: CHARLOTTE'S RELUCTANT CHAMPION
He’s Pro Stock’s most stunning example of the reluctant winner.
Justin Humphreys scored his first career Pro Stock victory in an odd scenario that would leave even the most seasoned veteran scratching his head.
As the call was issued to fire the Pro Stock final, the unthinkable happened. Kurt Johnson’s car wouldn’t fire.
In a scene reminiscent of the Keystone Cops, crews from both teams push started the car. NHRA officials ordered Johnson to shut off his car and re-fire; starting line officials instructed Humphreys to stage.
He’s Pro Stock’s most stunning example of the reluctant winner.
Justin Humphreys scored his first career Pro Stock victory in an odd scenario that would leave even the most seasoned veteran scratching his head.
As the call was issued to fire the Pro Stock final, the unthinkable happened. Kurt Johnson’s car wouldn’t fire.
In a scene reminiscent of the Keystone Cops, crews from both teams push started the car. NHRA officials ordered Johnson to shut off his car and re-fire; starting line officials instructed Humphreys to stage.
Then as the light flashed green, Humphreys shook the tires and shut off, coasting to a 19.84 elapsed time.
No wonder Humphreys hadn’t won a race, if this was what it took.
“It’s not the way we wanted to get our first win,” Humphreys admitted. “We’ll take the win but I really wanted Kurt in the other lane. We wanted to win heads-up and I think this would have been a good race.”
After all, Humphreys was running horsepower from the Johnson family. This was his first event running with engines prepared by Pro Stock icon Warren Johnson.
“I was driving as slow as I could to get up to the line,” Humphreys added.
Humphreys had a front row seat from inside his Pontiac GXP to the mayhem going on in attempting to start Johnson’s broken down Chevrolet Cobalt.
“I thought I heard him fire, so I went ahead and fired mine,” Humphreys recalled. “He’s my teammate now. I’m elated and disappointed at the same time.
“I won a lot of races in Sport Compact when there wasn’t anyone in the other lane. That takes a lot of emotion out of the win. A win is a win.”
Humphreys first victory made him the 51st different winner in NHRA Pro Stock drag racing history.
“You go up there and try to have a clear head,” Humphreys said. “I would hate to see him lose a championship over something like that but at the same time, my crew wants to win. It was a tough ordeal.”
Humphreys’ crew chief is IHRA mountain motor Pro Stock front-runner Frank Gugliotta.
