Warren Johnson has been there, done that when it comes to Pro Stock. This is why he’s not sweating his role as spectator this past weekend at the NHRA Summit Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the closest venue to his Sugar Hill, Ga.-based shop.

“It’s really not tough being a spectator,” admitted Johnson, the winningest NHRA Pro Stock driver. “I’ve [raced] for quite a while, so this is just kind of a rest. It’s not like I haven’t done this before and I get all excited about it.” 

During Friday’s first Pro Stock session Johnson was standing on the starting line watching his friends and former foes navigate the Atlanta Dragway racing surface.

“I never really got that excited about the actual racing, when I did do it, because it was how I made a living,” Johnson added.

Johnson categorized his spectator role as, “I’m just an observer.”

Johnson, as a proven winner, understands he could easily find employment as a crew chief but says he’s not looking presently to tune for anyone. 

“Yeah, that would be a role better suited for KJ (son Kurt Johnson), he’s more of a people-person than I am,” Johnson said with a smile. “I’d probably rip someone’s throat out if they screwed up.”

Johnson shrugs his shoulders at the way Pro Stock has advanced since he was part of the class's formative early years. 

“We used to drive our trucks to the track, work on the cars and drive back to the shop,” Johnson said. “Now they just fly in. You have your right lug tightener and your left lug nut tightener. That’s fine if that’s what it takes to put the show on.”

Given his druthers, and a healthy budget, Johnson believes he’d be better off putting a young driver behind the wheel and shaping them into the driver he needs.

“You’d be better off having a younger driver to get what you need done,” said Johnson. “But, like I told Jeggie [Coughlin] one day, you’re only as good as you were.”

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