Six-time Pro Stock world champion Warren Johnson and his likewise accomplished son, 40-time national event winner Kurt Johnson, have announced their marketing partnership with the groundbreaking online gaming company Kiz Studios for the season’s two remaining races — the Big “O” Tires NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas and the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.

Both of the Johnson’s Pontiac GXP’s will carry the colors and likeness of Kiz Studios Critter Escape and SmashMuck Champions sites.

Kiz Studios is an independent gaming and entertainment studio with offices located in Atlanta, Ga. — not far from Johnson’s Sugar Hill home and race shop — and Charleston, S.C. The company, founded in 2007, develops games and digital media content for a global audience. Everything takes place in the universe of Planet Muck, a faraway world filled with heroes, muck monsters, and one-of-a-kind adventures.

While the focused and hard-working Johnson might not be the type you’d associate with video games, the legendary racer and family patriarch has ties with Kiz Studios that dates back to the founding of the company, when he was asked to sit on the Board of Advisors and consult on the automotive aspects of KizMoto, Kiz Studios’ initial product line.

“This is an ideal opportunity to bring in a new wave of fans to NHRA drag racing,” said Johnson. “As far as I know, no one has ever brought in a gaming company, and this is a mass form of entertainment. These two Kiz Studios programs are aimed toward the younger crowd, and by partnering with Kiz Studios for these two races, we hope to cultivate that crowd so that it grows to have a future with NHRA.
 
“This is something new that has never been done before, so I figure, let’s be the first. I’ve achieved a lot of first; let’s go after another one.”

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with Warren Johnson Enterprises in this endeavor,” said Chris Moreau, CEO of Kiz Studios. “I believe that merging social brands like SmashMuck Champions and Critter Escape with a legacy like Warren Johnson will bring a whole new level of excitement to both of our worlds.
 
“SmashMuck Champions and Critter Escape are relevant and current brands that fans can relate to and will want to follow, especially on the cars of Warren and Kurt Johnson.”