Kurt Chronicles: Madison Edition

THE KURT CHRONICLES: Kurt Johnson ACDelco News & Notes for the Sears
Craftsman Nationals


JOHNSON DETERMINED TO REVIVE SEASON IN ST. LOUIS

MADISON, Ill. -- These are the times that try a racer's soul. Whether you
call it a slump, a rough patch or a dry spell, Kurt Johnson is enduring the
most frustrating period of his nine-year career in Pro Stock. His third DNQ
of the season at the preceding race in Columbus, Ohio, has fueled
Johnson's determination to turn his year around. This weekend's Sears
Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis is the
place for K.J. to start.

"We need to win," said the man who has stood in the Pro Stock winner's
circle 22 times. "We're working harder than we've ever worked. We're
getting smarter, too."

Johnson's ACDelco Cavalier was infested with electrical gremlins at the
last event. Kurt is confident that a complete rewiring has exorcised the
demons.

"In the first session in Columbus I ran the third fastest speed in
the back-half," Kurt recalled. "I outran Dad, and I was feeling upbeat. We
changed gear ratios and carburetor jets for the evening session, but the
car didn't run at all. No problem -- we just put it all back the way it was
for Saturday morning. It got worse. We put in a fresh motor that is as
strong as Dad's for the final session, but it didn't make any difference.
It's frustrating, but we'll figure it out."

Gateway International Raceway is a likely place for K.J. to return to form.
He won there in 1998, defeating Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the final. In
five appearances on the Illinois quarter-mile, he's qualified third or
better; he was the No. 1 qualifier in 1999.

"It was hot last year in Madison, and the weather forecast promises the
same for this race," Kurt observed. "The track has a new starting line with
more bite. The key for our team is to improve the car's initial
acceleration. We're losing a hundredth of a second in the first 60 feet and
another couple of hundredths by 330 feet. We've got good power in the back
half, but we can't afford to give up that much time at the start.

"I've been studying our notes and reading the computer graphs," K.J. added.
"I think we can make all the right moves in Madison. Just one win would be
good right now."

KURT JOHNSON'S GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY RECORD
Year  Qual.  Result
1997    3    Semifinal
1998    2    Winner (over J. Coughlin)
1999    1    First Round
2000    2    Second Round
2001    3    First Round