NHRA Kurt Johnson Chicago Pre Race: KJ is Ready for a
Clutch Performance in Chicago
Contact:
Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Ph: (704) 662-3121
jgknapp@tmgsports.net
Kurt Johnson is Ready for a Clutch Performance in Chicago
ACDelco crew preps their Cobalt for double duty at Route 66 Raceway
Sugar Hill, Ga., June 6, 2005 - As ACDelco Cobalt driver Kurt Johnson
will readily tell you, the formula for winning an NHRA Pro Stock race in
the POWERade Drag Racing Series is a combination of many elements
involving every member of the team. It starts even before they even
leave their shop, as they mix between-race maintenance with research and
development, while simultaneously studying their notes from previous
races in order to formulate a plan of attack for the upcoming event.
Once at the track, the condition of the racing surface becomes another
variable, with adjustments made to compensate for any changes. In
addition, information is gathered on every run, including the on-board
data acquisition system as well as videotapes, leading to further
fine-tuning. Finally, the driver must do his job, making sure to leave
the starting line on time, hitting the shift points and keeping the car
in the groove. With the difference between winning and losing often
measured in ten-thousandths of a second, any lapse in this procedure is
crucial.
Entering this weekend's Carquest Auto Parts Nationals in Joliet, IL,
Johnson acknowledges the complexity of the assignment, but is confident
in his team's ability to meet the challenge.
"As close as the competition has gotten, everything has to be perfect in
order to win an NHRA Pro Stock race," explained Johnson. "For example,
some days you do your job and the car lets you down, while other times,
the car is on its game but the driver isn't. To put yourself in a
position to get the trophy, you have to have it all.
"Obviously, if you leave the starting line first, you have a better
chance of winning. Quite honestly, so far this year, we've been
inconsistent. For example, in Atlanta, we were right on, while in
Topeka we couldn't buy a light. It's an area we continue to work on.
"Of course, we've had to adjust to two different race cars and four
different clutch combinations, which hasn't made it any easier,
especially when you're facing people who have been using the same
package for two years. We know we have the performance under the hood
to get the job done, so we keep working on dialing in our ACDelco
Cobalt, and I think we'll have something for them this weekend in
Chicago."
As if the potential of scoring their 29th career national event win was
not motivation enough for Johnson and his crew, this weekend's race
offers additional incentive, as the Pro Stock King Demon Crown will be
included in the weekend's activities at Route 66 Raceway. This all-star
event, which pits the eight top qualifying "factory hot rods" from the
last year in a three-round race for $50,000, will be held on Saturday as
part of qualifying. With three previous wins in this dash for cash, and
armed with an extremely fast race car, KJ is more than ready for the
weekend to begin.
"I feel optimistic about our chances at Route 66 Raceway," said Johnson.
"Our ACDelco Cobalt has been running extremely well, and with a few
minor exceptions, we've been doing a good job as a team. We know what
this car needs, and have some good notes on the race track, having won
there in the past. We know we should be able to get into the winner's
circle - it's just a matter of doing it.
"Our game plan is to get the car solidly in the show on Friday, so we
can concentrate on winning the Demon on Saturday. We've won it in the
past with the Cutlass, the Camaro and the Cavalier, so it's time to
complete the set with this new Cobalt. After that, we'll set our sights
on doubling up on Sunday and taking home the money and the trophies.
We're pretty confident that we can do some damage, so we're looking
forward to our weekend in Chicago."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering
the Carquest Auto Parts Nationals:
* KJ in Chicago: This will be Kurt's 12th appearance at Route 66
Raceway, where he has one win in 2003, and two No. 1 qualifying
performances in 1999 & 2001.
* Kurt in the King Demon: This will be KJ's 12th appearance in
the King Demon Crown, where he has three victories in 1994, 1998 and
2003, tying him with his father, Warren Johnson and Larry Morgan for the
most wins in the event's 20-year history.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified 14th with an elapsed time of
6.864 seconds and a top speed of 202.61 mph and advanced to the
quarterfinals.
* Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.671 sec., Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
* Career best top speed: 207.13 mph, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Event Schedule:
Friday, June 10 - Two qualifying
sessions at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 11 - First round of the
King Demon Crown at 11:30 a.m.
Two
qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. & 3:05 p.m.
King Demon
Crown final at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 12 - Pre-race ceremonies
begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by
the first
round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, June 11 -
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, June 12 -
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Monday, June 13 -
2:00 - 4:30 a.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, June 12 -
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is
subject to change.)
# # # #
