NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: KJ & Crew Work to Continue the
ACDelco Cobalt's Charge in Colorado
Sugar Hill, Ga., July 13, 2005 - Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing
team opened the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season with the same race
car they had used throughout the 2004 campaign. It was a solid piece,
one that had carried them to a win in Phoenix and a fifth place finish
in the championship standings. As such, it allowed them to make a
representative start, highlighted by a semifinal performance at the
season-opening Winternationals.
However, once the team unveiled their sleek new ACDelco Cobalt at the
sixth event of the year in Bristol, TN, their performance truly hit the
fast track. After scoring an impressive semifinal finish in the new
car's debut event, the Sugar Hill-based team powered through the
learning curve, culminating with their historic win in Madison, IL two
weeks ago.
Overall, in seven races they have posted one win in two final round
appearances, two No. 1 qualifying performances and six starts in the Top
Three, allowing them to advance five positions in the POWERade
standings. It is a positive trend that Johnson and his close-knit crew
will look to continue at next weekend's Mile-High Nationals in Denver,
CO.
"There was really nothing wrong with our old car," stated Johnson. "It
was more of a situation where we started the year with several new
pieces in our combination, and it took us a few races to establish the
performance parameters. In fact, we incorporated some of the lessons we
learned with the old car into the set-up for the new one.
"Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay this new ACDelco Cobalt is
that although it might not have shown it in the results, we did have to
go through somewhat of a learning curve with it. Fortunately, it now
seems to be pretty happy, making good runs, telling us what it needs and
responding to the changes we make to it.
"Everything seems to be going in the right direction. From the car, the
clutch and the crew, it's all jelling. The momentum is definitely going
in a positive direction, and hopefully, we can use that to put a few
more wins together, make a move in the points, and see if we can do
something by the end of the year."
In order to maintain their winning ways, the team will have to master
the unique conditions at Bandimere Speedway. Nestled in the side of a
mountain overlooking Denver, it is arguably one of the most picturesque
locations on the POWERade tour. However, located at an altitude of over
5,000 feet, the thin air robs the naturally aspirated Pro Stock engines
of horsepower, putting a premium on hitting the right set-up.
Fortunately the team will arrive at the Colorado quarter-mile armed with
a record of previous success and with their confidence bolstered by
their most recent win.
"Denver is always a bit different," said Johnson. "You never really
know what to expect until you get there. Hopefully, Mother Nature will
cooperate and allow us to get four runs in qualifying so we can put a
package together for race day. Although we did not test, Dad (six-time
NHRA Pro Stock Champion and four-time Bandimere winner Warren Johnson)
was up there last week with his car, so we can use his information, as
well as our notes from the past to get an idea of where we will want to
start on Friday.
"Obviously, you want to be quicker and faster than everyone else each
time out, but if we can be close on the first run and fine-tune it from
there, making sure we qualify, we'll be pretty happy. It all comes
down to adapting to the air. We've had some decent success on the
mountain, winning in 1995 and again in 2000, so I guess it's time for us
to win another race in Denver.
"I think the team is pretty pumped up after our win in St. Louis. It
had been a while, and it's a good feeling to know you're the baddest hot
rod out there, which made getting ready for Denver a little easier.
However, that race is behind us now, and it's time for us to do it all
over again at Bandimere."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering
the Mile-High Nationals:
* KJ's Record at Bandimere: This will be Kurt's 13th appearance
at Bandimere Speedway, where he has two wins in 1995 and 2000 and one
No. 1 qualifying performance in 2000. Overall, KJ has a 24-10
elimination round record on the mountain.
* Trying to go back-to-back: Kurt will be looking to win
consecutive races for the fifth time in his career, having last done so
at the 2003 Houston and Bristol races.
* Potential KJ milestone: Having been the No. 1 qualifier at the
last two NHRA national events in Englishtown, NJ and Madison, IL, Kurt
will be gunning to be the No. 1 qualifier in three consecutive races for
the first time in his career. Kurt has now been the No. 1 qualifier at
consecutive races three times in his career.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified fourteenth with an elapsed time
of 7.215 seconds and a top speed of 192.22 mph, and advanced to the
semi-finals.
* 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, July 15 - Two qualifying
sessions at 4:15 & 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 - Two qualifying
sessions at 10: 15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 - Pre-race ceremonies
begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by
the first
round of eliminations at 12:00 noon
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, July 16 -
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, July 17 -
3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, July 17 -
9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
(Repeat) Monday, July 18 -
3:00 - 4:30 a.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, July 17 -
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is
subject to change.)
