CLASSIC Startline Burndowns (And a Fight Broke Out!)

"I don't know if I took him to school, but I taught that punk a lesson" - WARREN JOHNSON
Re-live these 8 classic NHRA and Aussie staging duels that had the crowd on their feet and some heated moments on the top end of the race track.
Which burndown is your all-time favorite?
8 - Tony Wedlock vs Bruno Cugnetto
7 - John Force vs Cruz Pedregon
6 - Warren Johnson vs Dave Connolly
5 - Larry Morgan vs Allan Johnson
4 - Mason McGaha vs Bruno Massel
3 - Jonathan Gray vs Stevie Jackson
2 - Doug Herbert vs Clay Millican
1 - Warren Johnson vs Scott Geoffrion
#nitromouth #dragracing #racing

[@brandonenglund7516]

I like how he called out WJ at the end, you could have stagged anytime too 💁🏼‍♂️

[@nitromouth1]

Geoffrion was in WJ's head from that point for sure.

[@branchtana315]

That was hilarious. WJ said Geffrion was a punk playing games, then in his next breathe WJ basically says I'm allowed to play games whenever I want. LOL

[@danonoveh8114]

Bob Glidden would out burn him down everytime😂

[@dakotaautosales9673]

@@branchtana315 What's even funnier is that punk was driving W j's car 2 years prior to that WJ is a pear prick

[@kevinsamuels3140]

This was the good old days of drag racing.💯

[@nitromouth1]

Some classics in this compilation. Glad you enjoyed!

[@genefogarty5395]

The end of an era for sure. I won't watch nonetheless go to any NHRA events now.

[@dakotaautosales9673]

@@genefogarty5395 OK WJ become a grumpy old man then

[@genefogarty5395]

@@dakotaautosales9673 I was a grumpy old man when I was twelve years old. Now get off my lawn!!

[@milburnburroughs2699]

@@genefogarty5395 why

[@tomstiel7576]

warren is like the old man down the street yelling at the kids to stay off his lawn

[@nitromouth1]

Some truth to that!

[@James-vx8ci]

As having attended double digit nhra events I have to say that WJ was not fan friendly.

[@truegret7778]

Maybe that is why he has the most wins ( 97 ), with the great Bob Glidden at 85. Just sayin', he got the job done for his sponsors.

[@James-vx8ci]

@@truegret7778 sorry dude that title goes to Greg Anderson with 101.✌️

[@Slinger43]

​@@James-vx8ci True, but WJ held that title for quite awhile before his former Crew-Chief took it. With that said, all 3 of those gentleman are Legendary in the sport 💪

[@72sat360]

Warren is childish with that last comment. Geoffrion was such a huge rep for mopar. Sad hes gone now. Loved watching him race in the 90s.

[@formerfarmer1718]

Announcer Mike Dunn did a good job, had the credentials and was good at the microphone. 👍

[@kylecampbell1444]

Steve Evans calling out WJ. The new tv crews wont do that. Miss the Diamond P crew.

[@billymanilli]

Heck yeah! In the early 90's my dad and I were at E town, summer nationals, walking back into the bleachers by the staging lanes... and my dad bumped right into Steve! He said sorry, and then they talked for a brief moment. Seemed like a pretty nice guy. I was just standing there, like 10 years old, thinking to myself "that's Steve Evans! The guy who is on tv all the the time!" lol Just something I'll always remember...

[@danielmurphy2164]

Warren johnson is a hell of a engine builder/mechanic but as far as interacting with his fans he's a class A jerk.

[@jasondearduff8274]

Have you ever met the man. I have we had a long conversation about the old days of division 5 prostock. I like him

[@danielmurphy2164]

@@jasondearduff8274 yeah i've met him , and it wasn't a pleasent experience at all , used to be a fan but after waiting in line and hearing him berate the guy in front of me after he asked him a question i was hesitant for a moment to get a hero card autographed by him but stepped up anyway after he signed it he basically tossed it at me instead of just handing it to me and stormed off . Been going to the NHRA event at gateway for awhile and never been treated like that by a competitor .

[@davidkeeton6716]

He was a dick. Glad he's gone. Compare Johnson to someone like Clay Milican. One is an A HOLE and the other, Clay, is a class act, and so great with the fans.

[@NCmtnDweller]

He is a Sigma male Genius with cyl heads and engines in general.

[@1320crusier]

I understand your issue with it. That sort of thing sucks. Just remember though, everyone has their days.

[@justinallman7049]

That brought back some memories. Good old mind game's. Trickie Rickie was great at it. So was WJ. Used to see Rickie Smith do it alot at Mooresville Dragway as well. Great video

[@Slinger43]

Hell yeah he was! The Hillbilly King, Tricky Ricky Smith!! 😂👍

[@hawk6dm7]

I had games of my own. If I saw you were trying to burn me down, I would double bulb you.

[@lewislambert4590]

'94 in Houston. I was there for that. One of the few times I made it down to that track and it was epic. And did anyone notice Greg Anderson as WJ's crew chief.

[@rashaddow]

Was there as well. Seeing it again definitely flashed back to good times.

[@ramsdukefsu22]

Pro Stock was badass in the 90s

[@lewislambert4590]

@@rashaddow Never forget that one little road to get out and the convenience store at the end of it. We ran out of beer and walked to it to buy more and got back to our truck before we even had the chance to get out. Poor planning on our part I guess.

[@rashaddow]

@@lewislambert4590 The traffic nightmare of getting to and from the track back in the days was an event in itself. 2 to 3 hr line.

[@Joetrout]

@@lewislambert4590Baytown had only two small farm roads to get in an out! It was horrible during nhra events

[@toddbreitenstein8522]

I love how Steve Evans called out WJ’s not willing to stage first either.

[@TheTruth-on5zx]

was WJ ever not an angry old man?

[@1320crusier]

When he was 2yo

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

I miss the Diamond P days.

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

CLASSIC! This is what made it worth watching

[@nitromouth1]

Glad you enjoyed it John!

[@sms98bigblock]

That stuff didn't happen on Buster Couch's start line.

[@SealofPerfection]

You just watched it happen on his starting line in the last pair. WJ and Geoffrion.

[@guerreroa85]

This was awesome. Thanks. Made my day.

[@nitromouth1]

Right on, Aaron! Thanks for watching!

[@dannychiguina3962]

Awesome 👍 job Professor 😎🤙

[@197669666]

That was fun, great vid!

[@nitromouth1]

Glad you enjoyed! It was a fun vid to make

[@orangecrate5895]

"I don't have stage last or first. I'll stage when I'm ready". -WJ

[@davidteller7681]

On the last one, sure wish announcer would've shut up so we could hear what Buster was yelling at em!

[@RandolphRelicRecovery]

It doesn't matter what's going on in the other lane. Your lane, your light.

[@TanDawg58]

I figured about half of these would have had WJ in them

[@shitbox82]

Scott Geoffrion just needed time to check the nitrous bottle pressure…

[@drippinglass]

I’m a big block Mopar fan. And even I thought it a little strange when they went on that multi year “run”. 🤣

[@shitbox82]

@@drippinglass The Wayne county shop break in was a little suspicious too. 🤔😄

[@drippinglass]

I remember that! NHRA letting them save face and forfeit the season. 😁

[@dakotaautosales9673]

You needed time to get the bottle heated up

[@Inthefoxhole]

​@@dakotaautosales9673.They didn't have a bottle.The roll cage held the gas.

[@windyhollowgarage]

Great video!!!

[@nitromouth1]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed - plenty more to come 🏁

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!!!

[@christophersanders5007]

The best burn down ever was Bob Tasca III burning down Matt Hagen in the final at the World Finals, in order to make sure John Force won his 15th championship.

[@larryhurley2314]

That it was. I totally agree.

[@geniferteal4178]

A little different but an interesting staging scenario might have been Warren Johnson can't recall. The race was gonna be close and he knew it. When he went for the final stage he never stopped. He went in second and kept rolling and literally got a rolling start. The small advantage gave him the win. It was an amazing feet. He paid attention to the starter and his timing in releasing the cars. That's how he judged that he could pull it off. I suppose he knew they didn't have the power to win otherwise so it was their only hope and it worked. crazy to think about.

[@TyTanium1294]

8:06 It’s a bold strategy Cotton, let see if it pays off for em. Double disqualification…oops

[@nitromouth1]

I would've preferred to see 'em hold out for a few more minutes, the crowd loved it...

[@dakotaautosales9673]

😂😂😂

[@gofigure84]

Driver in the red car had the nerve to get mad. You were told.

[@cdf7968]

I know this video was a couple of years old.I gotta say i never knew that Bruno Massel was ever running NHRA Pro Stock.I just know him from Garage Squad.I mean i knew he could wrench,but i gotta say,I got a new found respect for the guy.🤣😎

[@Inthefoxhole]

He won a few championships in a lower class.

[@af4od02]

Doug was smart. Never take your helmet off when I fight is beginning.

[@flamingtablesjr.5412]

Question for the chat. I'm not knowledgeable in Drag Racing and was wondering what exactly is the benefit of doing this waiting game during staging? Do you want to be the one who stages last for some type of benefit? Is it all about nerves? Any information on understanding this aspect of Drag Racing would be welcomed and much appreciated.

[@30FootGarage]

I've been racing for 12 years. Amateur stuff, sure. 11 second car, nothing groundbreaking. Our group runs a pro tree for our events. Never have I been able to understand why people do this. I would rather stage first so I can make the other guy rush, and it gives me time to set my line lock before I wind up. Staging last clearly doesn't help, and it just pisses off the officials.

[@tubefluid]

Totally agree. Was in it as crew chief for two 11 sec cars as well for many years. That kind of crap just never made sense. And it's not fair to the fans.

[@fastone371]

When you are used to racing on a 4/10ths Pro-tree staging last you still have plenty of time to be ready before the tree is activated. The advantage of going in last is that you get to see if you opponent is a tool and goes to the deck before all 4 stage lights are on. If my opponent goes to the deck before I stage I take my time going in, if I hear him lift off the throttle I go in immediately.

[@mwales2112]

Alderman/Geoffrion, the great days of Pro Stock

[@davidpayne4315]

I've never liked these staging games just race

[@KimiWallrus]

When you watch Football, Basketball or Baseball you don't like pump fakes? The starting line games only screw and piss off those who let it. Without it let's just take all the cars to the dyno or award a Wally off of 1 of 4 qualifying runs. I understand it's against the grain but I think fans don't like starting line games if thier driver bitches about it.(because they can't starting line game as good as others. IMO, and your allowed yours, I'm actually interested in why you dont.

[@MaximumDecibels]

Karen Johnson just needs his onesie changed.

[@PeteDavidson-yl3ps]

As kids we all wanted to race, and every Saturday Morning we watched NHRA Wide World of Sports, fired up we took our wood go carts to the only decent street on a hill which was perfect for racing down, we would race all afternoon just gliding down this dead end street pushing them back up, but this one old fart didn’t like us having fun would always tell us to get off HIS street…our go-carts had decals and stickers the mechanics gave us at the local speed shops so we looked and felt professional, we even wore our hockey helmets and winter gloves and boots and we guessed that using chalk to mark the finish line pissed him off, well one of us lived on a farm and he had professional weed killer, they called it something other than round-up today but it was for big fields so one night we got the pump sprayer and on this farts lawn in BIG letters wrote NHRA hoping we got the invisible spray just right, it took almost 3 days but sure enough our N wasn’t too straight but HRA was spot on, so here we kids were zooming down the street 300 mph past a big lawn sign NHRA….lucky for us he had no idea what those 4 letters stood for…we had a great racing season…

[@fishhuntadventure]

I’ll stage when I’m ready LOL Warren for the win- he has the license to kill

[@steveham2622]

Miss those little Plymouths of Geoffrion and Darrel Alderman.

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

I love how the Wayne County Boys gave WJ fits

[@mocharger06]

The Wayne County cars were Dodges.

[@steveham2622]

you're right MO.my bad..@@mocharger06

[@AlanRoehrich9651]

Love that giggle gas, huh? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@xipingpooh5783]

Love the Dodge Boys making that old curmudgeon get his thong in a bunch😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤣👍🏼

[@Gavin84w]

Pretty cool the team i used to be on all the way from downunder makes it in at No 8!

[@nitromouth1]

Nice! What team did you crew for Gavin?

[@Gavin84w]

@@nitromouth1 Tony Wedlock PS972 in the first video. In the group celebrating the win at the end

[@bryanswing135]

Oh the good Ol'e days of Pro-Stock drag racing.

[@nitromouth1]

You got that right!

[@jamessharp9790]

7:38 Love It ! Race Or Leave . Kudos to the official for DQ ing Both !

[@geniferteal4178]

At what point do you have to worry about fuel for the top fuel drag stairs?

[@TheCrewChief374]

Yet this is the very thing that draws more interest in the sport, which puts more people in the stands for the next race.

[@jsteganius6969]

Very Accurate and perfectly said! Step to the head of the class!

[@genefogarty5395]

WJ was no joke, he might have looked harmless yet in reality was anything but.

[@jsteganius6969]

You are absolutely correct! Step to the head of the class!

[@zacharyradford5552]

Harmless everyone knew he was a punk.

[@genefogarty5395]

@@zacharyradford5552 His RT was legendary, even in his sixties he was forcing redlights and cutting times of guys in their twenties and thirties. That's harmless? Most races are won at the tree, his record proves it.

[@techs1smh13]

Big bob glidden fan. Lee shepperd was the man to beat everyone accident while tire testing took his life.

[@1320crusier]

Burn downs are great. Sometimes I wish there was some other competitive structure to it.

[@scottracing51s]

I don't see how either driver can get mad at the other when they are both doing the same thing getting mad at someone for doing the exact same thing you are doing is like a guy cheating on his girlfriend and then getting mad at her for cheating on him back

[@michaelcarmean4906]

💥 Great ✅ Stuff💥

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Good ol mind games,ive partaken in them myself. Hey if the other guy stages up right away, ill pre-stage and then rev it a little ,lean over ans move my arms down low like something is wrong. Oh well, i guess i gotta run it anyway !!! Then ill stage and usually get the holeshot😂😂

[@michaelcowan6254]

Awesome

[@nitromouth1]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@BIGTONY2132001]

When Warren Johnson turns into Clint Eastwood....

[@999Lucas]

John Force classic right there.

[@SealofPerfection]

Scott didn't use enough nitrous to catch WJ that time

[@bigbelconut]

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[@RDC_Autosports]

1:40 i can hear john sayin “ alllright wanna fk with me” 😅

[@racecar157]

warren said in his completion plus legends documentary that all his staging duels were "staged". he said at the Denver race ps was the last final for tv & he knew they wouldn't go off air without all finals being shown

[@The_Cat_Authority]

Yeah, he is full of shit lol.

[@tomharvey704]

I was at the Maple Grove race to see Dougzilla 😂

[@JoeJoe-uy6ck]

Same...goin after lil ole clay..lol..that guy fits in my pocket!

[@tomharvey704]

@@JoeJoe-uy6ck I met Warren Johnson in the 90’s in Seattle (Kent) complete a$$hole in my opinion!

[@arthurrodesiler3109]

We need more of this. Pro Stock has getting boring

[@Inthefoxhole]

It's been boring for the last ten years

[@halseyknox]

How could you not include the burn down between Steve Carbone and Don Garlits at the 1971 Winternationals? The end of an era as it was the last win for a slingshot in top fuel......

[@hemihead4269]

Warren wasn't much for interviewing unless he was winning.

[@frankchapa4165]

...burndowns, are the gaf section of drag racing 🤣

[@morphman21]

I think the Larry Morgan burndown was the last one before nhra got rid of the hood scoop cars and went with the flat hoods

[@glyphs3]

The flat hoods represent fuel injected engines. A sad day for carburetors.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

The hood scoops were for the carburetors. NHRA forced the Pro Stocks to go with fuel injection.

[@tomstrum6259]

Never understood the "burn down", Not gonna stage 1st, who's got the best Radiator & water Pump, in your "Head" job, Drama show !!.....Why piss the Starter off ??.....Just Stage yo shit, cut a Good light & Drive the best number.....

[@AdamWaffen]

Stop fighting mates. Work on getting you automobile industry back lol.

[@fataldreams2]

I would have gave them 1 min then red light both

[@kennethwise7108]

Poor Bruno LOL

[@LoneWolf-479]

I guess I missed the "fight" that broke out... 🤔

[@nitromouth1]

#2 - Herbert and Millican, go check it out 👍

[@LoneWolf-479]

@@nitromouth1 Lol, we definitely have a difference in opinion as to what is considered a 'fight" 😂

[@gofigure84]

On #4 how is the driver in the red car going to get mad? You were told to stage by the official.

[@KimiWallrus]

How does Force win, theoretically he drove past the lights and it explicitly says staging must be a forward motion. If he goes top, bottom and then the bottom flickers, he's done. NHRA? 🤕

[@KimiWallrus]

I know he turned the wheels to flicker it but cmon!

[@drippinglass]

The red bulb never lit! 😀

[@jondoe406]

Force went too deep but was back in before the tree started. Thats all that matters

[@KimiWallrus]

@@jondoe406 no, that's not what the rulebook says! Read above!

[@KimiWallrus]

They don't want people backing into the beams because then everyone would do it for the best light in the fuel classes.

[@arthurrodesiler3109]

If WJ was going to do this you new he had ice bags on the intake.

[@dirtyburd71]

Buster!!!

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Ashley Kearney

[@FunnyBallet-fq8sx]

I come to to race if I lose o lose I don't play around

[@donaldedler8892]

WJ

[@rickcannon3845]

Wasn't a good day for the old mayflower's

[@tombellows4167]

Play stupid games win stupid prizes

[@kentbeitel9966]

What’s the purpose of burning someone down? Isn’t both cars getting just as hot just sitting there?

[@gatojj]

I hate this game playing BS in drag racing! Either you have the better car or not !

[@nonamegarage6721]

WJ was always a JO

[@zacharyradford5552]

No doubt.

[@sidebite2533]

It's like Warren gets more bitter as He ages. Why not retire and go out with Class & Dignity?

[@Mandymuffmower]

Can’t figure out why people think this is cool? Chill the ego & let your talent & tune do the talking🙄

[@hemibrown]

I miss Mike Dunn. Tony Pedregon is not nearly as enjoyable to listen too.

[@nitromouth1]

Mike always cut through the BS. Was awesome on the ESPN shows.

[@dakotaautosales9673]

Tony sucks

[@gofigure84]

😂 a Cutlass vs a Daytona the POS nationals

[@mustangecoboosthpp3869]

To the drives who complained I say this, they could have staged and forced the other driver to stage within a set amount of time so they come off as whiners and I am talking about you Warren Johnson and Doug Herbert. When both were confronted with the you could have staged first both deflected like little babies.

[@KevanleeRice]

profesor freashens up his motor after oil change

[@jamesbrewster1964]

Stop complaining when they aren’t breaking any rules. Let them tear up their own equipment if they want to. Either driver can go in, so if they want to play head games, let them. Mind games are played everywhere else in life, stopping it here is ridiculous. Everyone complains about anything they do…Force double bulbs he’s hated on, WJ stages when he’s ready he’s hated on. Play the game right back. If I’m racing either of them, I’m quick staging, putting the top bulb out, and prepping to go…easy!!

[@andregray2]

If they want to play the burn down game next time double bulb him

[@duanebaatz170]

WJ the definition of narcist!

[@bobfrapples1208]

Narcissist

[@bryanhumphries1972]

Still can't stand WJ to this day!

[@randallhardin3318]

It's bull shit setting there like that when you're watching a video

[@deansmiley8221]

Very satisfying WJ loss!

[@jiggyquinn5635]

Warren retiring was a great thing for the category.

[@spanners94]

Lifetime ban for doing that shit. When I'm racing I want to race , not put up with this shit. Everyone else is probably cooking in their cars waiting for these show ponies.

[@NubsWithGuns]

Gotta love Warren Johnson. I bet that man would take the DQ just to prove his point haha.

[@jacob9582]

Its cute that these dudes all throw a fit about the OTHER guy playing games. They should have all taken a DQ. Race or go home.

[@SDGuy1981]

I’m 100% and absolutely agreement with a double disqualified . Burning each other down is equivalent to the Idiots who dance in the end zone in a football game. It’s stupid

[@Nobody-ld7mk]

Theres a point where those mind games on the line are just Chickenshyt. Those kind of guys make me sick... Been there.

[@FunnyBallet-fq8sx]

Yes get the scard boy of

[@drybonesmalone6974]

window licking fun huh....only a nerd would call this a mind game

[@shoebyrd1644]

😭 WJ

[@sirmister4411]

Pro stock is now a joke. Can’t we all just get along and be a big happy family. Boooring