Kurt Chronicles: Columbus Edition

JOHNSON IS ROOTIN' AND DIGGIN' FOR COLUMBUS VICTORY

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Kurt Johnson drove eight miles last week preparing for
this weekend's Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing. By
stock car standards, eight miles is just a warm-up -- but for a Pro Stock
drag racer, 32 quarter-mile passes in two days is a serious workout.

Johnson conducted a marathon tire test last week at Atlanta Dragway
in Commerce, Ga. Then after returning to his top-secret shop in Sugar Hill,
Ga., K.J. concentrated on research and development for several promising
new engine projects.

"We're in full R&D mode -- that's rootin' and diggin'," said Johnson. "I
made 32 runs last week in my ACDelco Cavalier and in Mark Whisnant's car.
It was 90 degrees at the track, and I was jumping from one car to the
other. After two days of that, I was beat."

The hard work paid off when Kurt's Cavalier ran some exceptional times
under extremely adverse conditions.

"We pulled our new race motor off the dyno, bolted it in the car, and
ran 6.93," K.J. reported. "I think we have something that will pick up
our performance in Columbus."

That is just what the doctor ordered. Kurt is coming off a tough
three-week road trip that produced only a single round win and one DNQ.

"I think we're back on track now," he commented. "The car ran well in
Chicago and in last week's test. We haven't had to change the suspension in
the last two outings, which has allowed us to concentrate on the clutch
setup and gear ratios.

"It's not easy for anyone in Pro Stock these days," Kurt continued. "You
see drivers win one week and then not qualify the next week. It's been up
and down for everyone."

Kurt notched a runner-up finish to his father in his first appearance
at National Trail Raceway in 1993. Since then he's struggled on the
venerable Ohio quarter-mile, recording a string of first- and second-round
losses.

"The track has aged over the last few years and it's a little rough,"
he noted. "It's a matter of adapting the car to the race track to get from
second gear to the finish line. I'm optimistic. We'll get our report card
in the qualifying sessions on Friday."

KURT JOHNSON'S NATIONAL TRAIL RACEWAY RECORD
Year  Qual.  Result
1993    2    Runner-up (to W. Johnson)
1994   14    First Round
1995    4    Second Round
1996    6    Second Round
1997    2    Second Round
1998    1    First Round
1999   12    First Round
2000    7    Second Round
2001   13    First Round