NHRA Kurt Johnson Columbus Wrap Up: KJ Powers to a Runner-Up Finish in Columbus

Event:  41st Annual Pontiac Performance Nationals 

Day/Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005

Location:  National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Ohio

 

ACDelco Driver Kurt Johnson added another page to his NHRA resume on
Sunday, becoming the first Pro Stock driver to make a final round
appearance with the new Chevrolet Cobalt during the final eliminations
of the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

 

After qualifying second, Johnson used a very consistent performance to
eliminate Kenny Koretsky and Richie Stevens in the opening rounds.  The
final obstacle between KJ and his first final round appearance of the
2005 season was No. 11 qualifier Jason Line.  Using another solid
6.750-second, 204.48 mph run, Johnson trailered Line to reach the second
championship round of his career at National Trail Raceway.

 

Facing rival Greg Anderson in the final without lane choice, Johnson
knew he would need a nearly perfect run to score the 29th win of his
career.  Although he posted his best reaction time of the day to leave
in conjunction with his opponent, KJ's solid 6.787-second, 204.20 mph
pass fell just shy of overcoming his opponent's 6.737-second pass.

 

"The track temperature went down twenty degrees before the final, and
even though we tried to compensate for it, we were still a little light
in our clutch setting, and it cost us.  That's one area of our program
that has show inconsistency throughout the year, so we will go back to
our proven set-up for the next race.

 

"Even so, this was a great weekend.  In three races with our new ACDelco
Cobalt, we've gone to a final and two semifinals, and climbed five spots
in the points.  We're getting closer.  The car just keeps getting
better, and with enough clutch it could have won today.  Unfortunately,
it just wasn't our day, so we'll take everything we've learned this
weekend to Topeka and see if we can take that final step into the
winner's circle."