Kurt Chronicles: Chicago Edition

THE KURT CHRONICLES: Kurt Johnson ACDelco News & Notes for the Craftsman
75th Anniversary NHRA Nationals, Chicago, Sept. 27-29


KURT JOHNSON EXPECTS RECORD PERFORMANCES IN CHICAGO

    One year ago, Kurt Johnson set the Pro Stock national elapsed time and
top speed records in the inaugural autumn event at Route 66 Raceway. He
won't be surprised if this weekend's Craftsman 75th Anniversary NHRA
Nationals turns out to be another record-setting race.

    "I'm excited just looking at the weather forecast," said Johnson,
driver of the ACDelco Pro Stock Cavalier. "We're looking at a 6.73 or a
6.74 for the No. 1 qualifier. I figure it will take a 76 or 77 to get in
the show."

    If K.J.'s prediction is accurate, the current national e.t. record,
which stands at 6.750 seconds, is toast.

    "I didn't even look at my notes from the spring race at Route 66
because it's an entirely different track in the fall," he continued. "Last
year it was 57 degrees on Friday night when we ran the low e.t. I looked in
my bag of tricks and built a set of carburetors just like the ones that we
used last year. My Cavalier's chassis setup is already very close to what
we ran when we set the record in Chicago. We're ready!"

    Johnson has competed six times in NHRA national event competition at
Route 66 Raceway. He was the No. 1 qualifier in 1999 and in last year's
fall event, where he set the national e.t. mark at 6.801 seconds and the
speed standard at 202.70 mph. Those marks were subsequently eclipsed one
week later in Reading, Pa.

    While Johnson is still searching for his first victory of the season,
he comes into the race with the momentum of a strong showing in Memphis,
Tenn. K.J. lost to eventual winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the second round.
Both drivers carded identical reaction times, but lane choice proved to
be Coughlin's decisive advantage.

    "I finally got the driving part down and the car is running
exceptionally well," Kurt noted. "Now I have to work on keeping lane
choice. We simply have to run better when the opportunity arises. That's
the key to winning."

    Johnson will have some additional power under his Cavalier's sloping
hood to aid his cause.

    "Dad's working on engine R&D now, and that's going to transfer over to
my program as well," he said. "We have three motors apart, and they'll all
be ready for Chicago. Get out the record book!"

KURT JOHNSON'S ROUTE 66 RACEWAY RECORD:
Year         Qual.    Result
1998           8      Second Round
1999           1      First Round
2000           6      Semifinal
2001 Spring   DNQ
2001 Fall      1      Second Round
2002 Spring   15      First Round