Kurt Chronicles: Bristol/Atlanta Edition

THE KURT CHRONICLES: Kurt Johnson ACDelco News & Notes for the Mac
Tools Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals (Bristol, Tenn., April 26-28) and the
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac
(Atlanta, May 2-5)

RUNNER-UP FINISH BUOYS KURT'S CONFIDENCE GOING INTO BRISTOL

    It's said that winning is everything, but a runner-up finish isn't bad
in the ferociously competitive arena of Pro Stock. Kurt Johnson rebounded
from a disappointing DNQ in Las Vegas to a final-round appearance at the
O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston. It was an auspicious debut for
Johnson's new ACDelco Cavalier that hadn't turned a tire in competition
before the race.

    "Winning rounds in Houston definitely boosted my confidence,"
said Johnson. "We were consistent, and that's essential. The new car went
from Point A to Point B. It wasn't the fastest car, but it went down the
track every time.

    "Going into the final round against Edwards, we knew we were behind by
two or three hundredths," Kurt confided. "We thought about gambling, but
decided against it. The car ran 6.91, which is just about what we
expected. Unfortunately, 6.91 isn't good enough when the guy in the other
lane runs 6.89."

    Although Kurt was elated with his reversal of fortune, he was
disappointed with his second-place finish.

    "Losing in a final-round stinks," he declared. "If you're going to go
to the final, you'd better win -- but it's farther than we've gone lately,
so I'm encouraged."

    Kurt will have another chance to advance from eighth place in the
POWERade championship standings in this weekend's Mac Tools Thunder Valley
NHRA Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway. Although he has only competed
once at Thunder Valley in national event competition, he has a lifetime of
racing experience at the Tennessee track. As a youngster, he frequently
accompanied his father at IHRA events at the scenic track, and he competed
in several special events there.

    "Bristol Dragway is similar to the track in Las Vegas, with a little
more altitude and a lot more humidity," Johnson reported. "If the
conditions are tough, it's crucial to make a good run on Friday night
because that qualifying session will probably set the field. If we can run
6.92 or 6.93 in Bristol, we should be near the top of the list."

    Johnson will have the luxury of racing at home when the NHRA tour goes
to Atlanta on May 2-5 for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern
Nationals presented by Pontiac. He knows Atlanta Dragway's quarter-mile of
concrete and asphalt intimately.

    "The starting line is killer," K.J. noted. "If the Safety Safari
scrapes the track regularly, the traction will be fine. Dad's car runs like
a rocketship there; I hope that mine does, too.

    "We're hungry for a win," Johnson said. "We'll have a serious
celebration if we win at our home track."

KURT JOHNSON'S BRISTOL DRAGWAY RECORD
Year  Qual.  Result
2001    7    Second Round

KURT JOHNSON'S ATLANTA DRAGWAY RECORD
Year  Qual.  Result
1993    3    Runner-up (to W. Johnson)
1994    6    Semifinal
1995    9    Second Round
1996    9    Winner (over Yates)
1997    4    Runner-up (to Yates)
1998    4    Second Round
1999   14    First Round
2000    2    Second Round
2001    3    First Round