Two names synonymous with horsepower will join forces in 2009, as top performance air and oil filter producer K&N Engineering today announced they would be sponsoring six-time Pro Stock Champion Warren Johnson during the upcoming NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season, with the K&N Filters Pontiac GXP making its competitive debut at this weekend’s Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals in Pomona, CA.  Today’s announcement further enhances an NHRA presence for the California-based company that includes sponsorship of the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a special event for Pro Stock drivers held each year at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. 
 
“Warren Johnson is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in the sport of drag racing, and we are excited to welcome him to the K&N family,” said Steve Williams, vice president of Product Engineering and Research and Development at K&N Engineering. “We have had a technical relationship with Warren Johnson Racing for many years and have developed some cutting edge products for air intake systems, including new hood scoop technology.  K&N decided to take our relationship to the next level primarily because of WJ’s tireless competitive spirit and unparalleled mechanical expertise. We look forward to working with him throughout the season.” Two names synonymous with horsepower will join forces in 2009, as top performance air and oil filter producer K&N Engineering today announced they would be sponsoring six-time Pro Stock Champion Warren Johnson during the upcoming NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season, with the K&N Filters Pontiac GXP making its competitive debut at this weekend’s Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals in Pomona, CA.  Today’s announcement further enhances an NHRA presence for the California-based company that includes sponsorship of the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a special event for Pro Stock drivers held each year at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. 
 
“Warren Johnson is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in the sport of drag racing, and we are excited to welcome him to the K&N family,” said Steve Williams, vice president of Product Engineering and Research and Development at K&N Engineering. “We have had a technical relationship with Warren Johnson Racing for many years and have developed some cutting edge products for air intake systems, including new hood scoop technology.  K&N decided to take our relationship to the next level primarily because of WJ’s tireless competitive spirit and unparalleled mechanical expertise. We look forward to working with him throughout the season.”
 
Known by fans and fellow competitors as “The Professor of Pro Stock”, Johnson will be entering his 36th year of competition in 2009.  With 96 career NHRA national event wins in 150 final round appearances and 138 No. 1 qualifying performances, WJ has made the record books his personal diary, with his numerous achievements earning him a spot in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. 
 
However, his countless technical innovations are the true source of pride to this Minnesota native, as he has played a leading role in the evolution of the Pro Stock race car from a modified production vehicle to the 1,400-horsepower, 210-mph thoroughbred used today.  It is a process he looks forward to continuing in 2009, and appreciates K&N’s role in helping him do so.
 
“In today’s economic environment, I know what it takes for a company to invest in any marketing program, so I am honored to welcome K&N to our team,” said Johnson.  “They are the first of what we hope will be a series of sponsors that will occupy the primary position on our Pontiac, and I would like to thank Steve Williams who was instrumental in putting this together.
 
“I have been doing some development work with Steve and his staff at K&N for the last two years.  They are a forward-thinking group, which is what it takes to succeed in this market, and I’m looking forward to doing what I can to help grow their business.  However, our primary goal at this moment is to get our K&N Filters GXP ready for its debut in Pomona this weekend.  I don’t want to give too much away about our new look, but it will be good to be back in black.”