NHRA Kurt Johnson Chicago Pre Race: KJ is Ready for a Clutch
Performance in Chicago
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.)
