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NHRA: The Kurt Chronicles, Columbus Edition

20 June 2000

THE KURT CHRONICLES: Kurt Johnson ACDelco Results from the NHRA
Pontiac Excitement Nationals

QUICK RESULTS:
Qualified: 7th
Finished: 2nd Round
Points: 6th

KURT A QUARTERFINALIST IN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Kurt Johnson raced the wrong opponent at the wrong time
and came away from the Pontiac Excitement Nationals at National Trail
Raceway with a second-round finish. After defeating Jim Yates in the
opening round, Johnson lost to Ron Krisher in the quarterfinals, 6.926 to
6.942. The ACDelco Camaro driver remained sixth in the Pro Stock standings
after ten of 23 races.

    K.J. was the No. 7 qualifier after rain reduced the schedule to
three qualifying sessions. 'I'm not unhappy with our performance," said
Johnson on Saturday night. "We thought we should have run better on the
last run, but I was the first driver down the track in that session, and
the track could have used a little more conditioning. Being first was just
the luck of the draw."

    After an automatic win in the first round when Jim Yates fouled, Kurt
and his ACDelco crew had to hustle. "We realized we had an engine problem
after the first round when I ran a 6.98 on a perfect run," Johnson
explained. "We came back and swapped engines for the second round, but it
slipped the clutch a little too much.

    "It was a real good drag race against Krisher. I made my best run of
the weekend and still came up short. That run would have beaten any other
car out there, but I came up against the wrong guy. Ron's making good runs,
and we need to work harder to beat him."

    It's a short week ahead for Kurt and his ACDelco crew as they prepare
to race next Saturday night in the Sears Craftsman Nationals at
Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. Johnson won the Craftsman
Nationals in 1998 and was the No. 1 qualifier at last year's event.

KURT JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
Qualifying: Kurt Johnson qualified No. 7 at 6.981/196.85
Eliminations:
First Round: Kurt Johnson (6.980/196.36) defeated Jim Yates (foul)
Second Round: Ron Krisher (6.926/198.38) defeated Kurt Johnson
(6.942/197.42)

Final Round: Mark Pawuk (6.980/197.33) defeated Ron Krisher (6.975/197.51)

POINTS RACE:
(After 10 of 23 events)
Driver               Wins    Points
1. Jeg Coughlin Jr.    6      937
2. Warren Johnson      1      653
3. Ron Krisher         1      645
4. Troy Coughlin       0      583
5. Mark Pawuk          1      580
6. Kurt Johnson        0      626

NEXT RACE:
Sears Craftsman Nationals, June 22-24, Madison, Ill.
TV: ESPN2, June 25, 9:30-11:30 p.m. (ET)