NHRA Saturday: KJ Starts Ninth in Columbus

Contact: Jon G. Knapp
									TMG Sports Marketing 
									Phone: (704) 662-3121
									jgknapp@tmgsports.net
Final Qualifying Results					

KJ Starts Ninth in Columbus 

Event: 39th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals
Location:  National Trail Raceway
       Columbus Ohio
Day/Date: Saturday June 14, 2003 

Although the professional categories were able to complete both qualifying attempts on Saturday at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals, proceedings did not go as normal, as rain caused lengthy delays.  Kurt Johnson continued to display the consistency he has shown throughout the 2003 NHRA, recording two 6.901-second runs.  His best effort of 6.901 seconds with a top seed of 200.14 mph placed Johnson's ACDelco Cavalier in the ninth position for Sunday's final eliminations, as he looks to maintain his position atop the POWERade championship standings.  

"The rain delay put a damper on everything, and made it a long day for everyone, but our ACDelco Cavalier is in the show, and that's what counts right now.  We ran a 6.901 on that last run, and although we certainly would like to have run quicker and gotten in the top half, we're pretty happy with what we see on our computer. It looks like we could pick up two or three hundredths, which could be the difference in winning the race.

"We experimented on that last run, trying some components, and it was definitely light on clutch.  Running under these conditions, you need the right amount of clutch in these cars, so you don't waste any horsepower. 

"I'm excited about tomorrow.  The forecast is calling for warmer temperatures, which could work in our favor, because we could probably leave our car alone and go really fast on a hot, greasy track.  We'll be keeping our fingers crossed."





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