NHRA: Kurt Chronicles: Columbus Edition
12 June 2000
Kurt Johnson ACDelco News & Notes for the NHRA Pontiac Excitement
Nationals and NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals
NEXT RACES:
Pontiac Excitement Nationals Presented by Summit Racing, June 15-18,
Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN2, June 18, 5-7 p.m. (ET)
Sears Craftsman Nationals, June 22-24, Madison, Ill.
TV: ESPN2, June 25, 9:30-11:30 p.m. (ET)
BACK ON TRACK
Kurt Johnson is clawing his way back to the top of the Pro Stock
standings. Kurt qualified in the top spot at the Castrol Nationals in
Dallas on Memorial Day weekend, and vaulted to sixth in the championship
race with a semi-final finish at the Prestone Route 66 Nationals in
Chicago.
"We have a car now that's been able to go down every track where
we've raced," said the driver of the ACDelco Camaro. "When I let out the
clutch, it goes to the finish line every time. That's a huge improvement
since the start of the season."
With 14 races to go until the fat lady sings, Kurt is concentrating
on continuing his ascent. "We're heading into the middle of the season and
we need to start making up points right now," Kurt declared. "Jeg Coughlin
Jr. had a great first part of the year, but good luck only stays with you
so long. I think we can really shine the last half of the year."
OHIO HOMECOMING
Kurt Johnson has competed as a driver in the Pontiac Excitement
Nationals seven times, but he's been going to the track near Columbus,
Ohio, almost all his life. He first accompanied his father Warren on the
road to National Trail Raceway in 1975. He finished runner-up to his father
as a rookie driver in 1993 - his best showing to date in Columbus. In the
last six races, he has yet to advance past the second round.
"When we first went to Columbus, the race was called the
Springnationals and it was one of the four biggest events of the year,"
Kurt said. "National Trail has tremendous history, and a victory there
would look good on my record.
"The track was recently resurfaced," K.J. continued, "but it can be
tricky when it's hot - and you can usually count on plenty of sunlight on
the track in the second week of June."
UNDER THE ARCH
One week later, Kurt and his ACDelco team will be at Gateway
International Raceway across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. The
Johnson family has enjoyed success at GIR: Warren won the inaugural Sears
Craftsman Nationals there in 1997, and Kurt stood in the winner's circle in
1998. He was the No. 1 qualifier at last year's race, but bowed out in the
first round of eliminations.
With racing on Saturday night under the lights, the St. Louis race
is stands out among NHRA national events. "The track has a killer starting
line," Kurt recalled, "and I enjoy racing there at night with cooler
conditions. Before the race was switched to a night format, the heat could
be brutal. When I won there in '98, the temperature was 104 degrees. I
won't miss that at all!
"We have definitely made progress in the last month," Johnson
concluded. "I think we have a good cool weather setup and a good hot
weather setup. We're ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us."
K.J.'s Columbus Results
Year Qualified 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
K.J.'s St. Louis Results
Year Qualified Result
1997 3 Semi Final
1998 2 Winner (over J. Coughlin)
1999 1 First Round
LAST RACES:
Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals, May 21, Englishtown, N.J.
Qualified: No. 16 at 6.880/6.880/201.01 mph
Finished: Event postponed to September 9 due to rain.
Castrol Nationals, May 28, Dallas
Qualified: No. 1 at 6.976/198.25
Finished: Lost to Bruce Allen in first round.
Prestone Route 66 Nationals, June 1-4, Chicago
Qualified: No. 6 at 6.885/200.00
Finished: Lost to Troy Coughlin in semi-final round.
POINTS RACE:
(After 9 of 23 events)
Driver Wins Points
1. Jeg Coughlin Jr. 6 861
2. Warren Johnson 1 595
3. (tie) Ron Krisher 1 548
Troy Coughlin 0 548
5. Jim Yates 0 490
6. Kurt Johnson 0 473