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NHRA: Kurt Johnson Wins Mile-High Nationals

18 July 2000

THE KURT CHRONICLES: Kurt Johnson ACDelco Results from the NHRA Mopar
Parts Mile-High Nationals

QUICK RESULTS:
Qualified: 1st
Finished: Winner
Points: 4th

Kurt Climbs the Mountain, Wins NHRA Mile-High Nationals

DENVER - Kurt Johnson struck gold in the foothills of the Rocky
Mountains today when he scored his 16th career national event victory at
the NHRA Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. Johnson
defeated three-time Pro Stock champion Darrell Alderman in the final round,
7.356/188.04 to 7.375/186.28. The 37-year-old driver of the ACDelco Camaro
has now has won an NHRA national event for six consecutive seasons.

    "Things couldn't have been any better since we left Atlanta,"
Johnson said. "The car ran well all weekend. I was the low qualifier on
Saturday night, and the car was fast enough to keep lane choice today. I
made four good runs and my driving got better every round. Everything went
right today - it was perfect!"

    Johnson made a fast start at the high-altitude track, claiming the No.
1 qualifying spot for the third time this season and the 18th time in
his career. K.J.'s Z28 stopped the clocks at 7.339 seconds, a heartbeat
ahead of his father Warren's Firebird. It was the fourth time this year and
the 28th race overall that the Johnsons have qualified 1-2.

    K.J. defeated Scott Geoffrion in the first round with a 7.284-second
run, the quickest e.t. of the event, and dispatched Troy Coughlin in the
second round. A foul start by Ron Krisher in the semi-final round ended
his three-race hot streak and advanced Johnson to his 31st career
final-round appearance.

    "It's been a struggle," said Johnson after he defeated Alderman and
broke a year-long dry spell. "In the first part of the year the car was
fast on occasion but not consistent. This time the car was consistent all
weekend."

    Johnson's victory vaulted him from sixth to fourth in the
championship standings. The next stop on the NHRA "Western Swing" is
Seattle International Raceway, where Kurt will defend his Prolong Northwest
Nationals Pro Stock title on July 28-30. Johnson scored his first NHRA
victory in Seattle as a rookie racer in 1993, and has won twice at SIR in
four final-round appearances.

KURT JOHNSON RACE RESULTS:
Qualifying: Kurt Johnson qualified No.1 at 7.339, 187.81
Eliminations:
First Round: Kurt Johnson (7.284/189.07) defeated Scott Geoffrion
(7.427, 185.77)
Second Round: Kurt Johnson (7.314/188.44) defeated Troy Coughlin
(7.349, 186.69)
Semi-Final: Kurt Johnson (7.337/188.23) defeated Ron Krisher (foul)
Final Round: Kurt Johnson (7.356/188.04) defeated Darrell
Alderman (7.375/186.28)

Low ET: Kurt Johnson, 7.284 seconds
Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 189.20 mph

POINTS RACE:
(After 12 of 23 events)
Driver                Wins    Points
1. Jeg Coughlin Jr.    6       1,027
2. Ron Krisher         2         838
3. Warren Johnson      1         783
4. Kurt Johnson        1         701
5. Troy Coughlin       0         667

NEXT RACE:
Prolong Northwest Nationals, July 28-30, Seattle
TV: ESPN2, July 30, 7-9 p.m. (ET)