NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: KJ is Ready to Rebound and Wrestle Away a Gatornationals Win

Sugar Hill, Ga., March 14, 2006 - Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt
Racing team entered the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season as one of
the more popular choices to contend for the Pro Stock championship,
based on their solid 2005 performance, which saw them earn four wins en
route to the fourth runner-up points finish of KJ's illustrious career.


 

However, Johnson's trademark consistency seemed unusually scarce in this
year's first two races, as he battled to transfer his car's tremendous
horsepower to the race track.  Therefore, he arrives in Gainesville, FL
for this weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals having spent long hours
preparing and planning, and is determined to return to his winning form
and reinsert himself in the championship chase.   

 

"We had hoped to be strong right out of the box, but after two races it
seems we're still in the box," quipped Johnson.  "However, this ACDelco
Cobalt crew is far from pushing any panic buttons.  It's still very
early in the season, and we know the package we have assembled is more
than capable of getting the job done.  

 

"Based on the numbers from the start of the season, we know we need to
do a better job in the first 330 feet, which requires more track time.
Therefore, since the Phoenix race, we've tested three times, including
this past weekend in Valdosta, making a total of about twenty runs.  

 

"We're pretty pleased with the results so far, and think the information
we've gathered will make the difference.  We're going to treat this
weekend in Gainesville as the start of our season, and I'm confident
we'll get back on track, with things snowballing from there."     

 

With another tightly-packed Pro Stock field expected this weekend at
Gainesville Raceway, Johnson's assignment will be far from an easy one,
as every competitor wants to add the prestigious Gatornationals title to
his or her racing resume, as Kurt did in 2003. 

 

In addition, to some the pressure to perform would be ever further
increased by the fact that this race is sponsored by ACDelco, who has
been KJ's primary backer for ten years, and will have a large contingent
on hand throughout the event.  But these factors mean little to the
unflappable Johnson, who prefers to use a more pragmatic approach to the
weekend.

 

"The best part about ACDelco sponsoring the Gatornationals is that, just
like the second Vegas race, we'll have our own built-in cheering
section," said Johnson.  "Besides, when you're fortunate enough to have
been with a sponsor as long as we have, it's more like racing in front
of family.  Hopefully we can enjoy the success together, much like we
did at the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals last October. 

 

"This is one of our biggest races of the year, the first one on the East
Coast, and is extremely well-attended by both racers and fans.
Personally, it's right up there with winning in Pomona and Indy, and the
fact that it's the ACDelco Gatornationals just adds to its appeal.  It's
the perfect scenario for us to make our return to the winner's circle."

 

Quick Notes on Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering

The ACDelco Gatornationals:

 

Kurt Counts a Gator Win among his Successes:  This will be KJ's 14th
career appearance at Gainesville Raceway, where he has one win in two
final round appearances, and a 18-12 elimination round record for a .600
win percentage.

 

KJ Qualifies Well in Gainesville:  In his previous 13 starts in
Gainesville, Kurt has only two starts outside the top half of the field,
and has an average starting position of 5.46.

 

One year ago:  Kurt qualified fifth with an elapsed time of 6.672
seconds and a top speed of 207.13 mph, but was upset in the first round.

 

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.663 sec., Dallas, TX, 10/7/05

 

Career best top speed:  207.72 mph, Pomona, CA, 2/12/06

 

Event Schedule:

Friday, March 17:             Two qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. &
2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 18:                     Two qualifying sessions at 11:30
a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

            Sunday, March 19:             Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 10:00 a.m.

                                                      First Round of
Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Sunday, March 19:          12:30 - 2:30 a.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, March 19:           5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, February 26:      11:30 a.m. - 12 noon.

 

(All times Eastern.  Please check your local listings for exact
broadcast times in your area.)

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