NHRA Kurt Johnson Friday Update: KJ Sits Second on Friday in Dallas

 

Event:  20th Annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals

Day/Date: Friday, October 7, 2005

Location:  Texas Motorplex, Ennis, TX

 

Qualifying for the rescheduled running of the O'Reilly Fall Nationals in
Ennis, TX got off to a good start for Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco
Cobalt Racing team.  After opening with a second-quick 6.671-second,
207.15 mph pass on his first attempt, KJ came back in the evening
session to record a career-best elapsed time of 6.663 seconds with a top
speed of 206.76 mph, slotting him in the second position midway through
qualifying.  

 

"We're back in the hunt, which is where we need to be.  We decided to
stick to the basics this weekend instead of going into test mode, trying
to make sure we were in the show.  As a result, we made two, good,
consistent runs.  Consistency is the key out here, so we're certainly
pleased with today's effort.

 

"Since we've secured a good spot in the field, and the forecast is
calling for it to be a little warmer tomorrow, we'll use our two
attempts on Saturday to test and get ready for race day.  The car seems
to be good, so we'll leave it alone, but we have a few parts we'd like
to try to see if we can make a little extra power."

 

Johnson also took time to comment on the dramatic accident involving
veterans Bruce Allen and Kenny Koretsky, who collided in a 180-mph
fireball midway through the evening qualifying session.  Fortunately,
initial reports have both drivers emerging from the accident with only
minor injuries.

 

"Naturally, when something like that happens, your first thoughts and
concerns are with the drivers and their families.  Bruce and Kenny are
not only competitors, they are our friends, and we hope everything works
out well for both of them.

 

"However, as a driver, once you go back to your car and put the helmet
on, as we did tonight, you have to refocus on elapsed times and making a
good run, trying to get the No. 1 spot and the three grand that goes
with it.  You have to hope that the NHRA has done a good job of getting
the track ready, and get after it.  It's not necessarily easy to do, but
that's our job."