NHRA Kurt Johnson Englishtown Wrap Up: A Familiar Foe Edges KJ in the Englishtown Semifinals

 

A Familiar Foe Edges KJ in the Englishtown Semifinals

 

Event:  36th Annual NHRA SuperNationals 

Day/Date: Sunday, June 19, 2005

Location:  Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey

 

After qualifying first for Sunday's final eliminations of the NHRA
SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ, ACDelco Cobalt pilot Kurt Johnson
seemed ready to score his first win at the legendary quarter-mile.  In
the first two rounds, Johnson posted successive 6.6-second, 206 mph
passes to defeat veterans Ron Krisher and Rickie Smith.  

 

The final obstacle between KJ and his third Raceway Park final round was
a familiar opponent - his father, Warren Johnson.  Unfortunately, the
contest was over almost immediately, as shortly after launching, the
younger Johnson's car suffered extreme tire shake, forcing him to shut
off early and allow his father to drive on for the win.

 

"Throughout qualifying the ACDelco Cobalt ran as straight as a string,
and we thought we had something for them today.  Unfortunately, this new
car is a totally different set-up from what we ran before, and, as we
saw today, we still have a few things to learn.

 

"After spinning the tires in the first round, we made some changes and
it picked up in the second round against Rickie.  We then made further
adjustments for the semis against Dad, but, even though the track
temperature was the same as it was in the second round, with sunshine
having replaced the clouds, the composition of the racing surface was
completely different.  As a result, it just shook and spun so hard that
I had to shut off.

 

"The performance is there - we just have to get a better handle on our
race car.  Realistically, making it to the semifinals is a good day, but
we are never completely satisfied unless we win.  Fortunately, we have a
short week before we get the chance to get that win in St. Louis."