NHRA Kurt Johnson Friday: KJ Rides Career Bests to Fourth Position on Friday in Gainesville

Event:  36th Annual Mac Tools Gatornationals

Day/Date: Friday, March 18, 2005

Location:  Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL

 

The first day of qualifying for the 36th annual Mac Tools Gatornationals
was held under unseasonable cool temperatures, producing nearly ideal
conditions for the naturally-aspirated engines of the Pro Stock
Category.  However, with numerous on-track incidents in the sportsman
categories delayed activities by several hours, crews were challenged to
match the extra horsepower to the cool Gainesville Raceway surface.

 

In the first session, Kurt Johnson took advantage of the situation in
his ACDelco Cavalier, establishing new career marks in elapsed time and
top speed with his 6.671-second, 207.13 mph pass.  Coming back to post a
competitive 6.702-second, 206.80 mph effort in the evening run, he heads
into Saturday's action in the fourth position, and looking for further
improvement.

 

"After the first run, we were looking forward to running even quicker in
what ended up as a night session.  Unfortunately, we had an issue with
the car that let an opportunity slip away, which you hate to see happen

 

"We know this ACDelco Cavalier is capable of running in the 6.62-3
second range, and have identified where the problem is, so we'll take a
different approach tomorrow.  Fortunately, our time should guarantee us
a spot in the show, so we can focus on developing the consistency we
need to win."