NHRA Kurt Johnson Friday Update: KJ Sits Second on Friday in Seattle

 

Event:  18th Annual Carquest Auto Parts Nationals 

Day/Date: Friday, July 22, 2005

Location:  Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA
 

The start of the first day of qualifying at the Carquest Auto Parts
Nationals was delayed by early morning showers that passed through the
area.  However, by the time the Pro Stock category lined up for their
second attempt on Friday evening, the cool conditions were tailor-made
for the naturally aspirated "factory hot rods".   Kurt Johnson and the
ACDelco Cobalt Racing team were among those taking advantage, posting a
6.688-second elapsed time with a top speed of 206.42 mph to sit second
midway through qualifying. 

"It wasn't too bad of a day, although it looks as though we'll need to
change the gearing around a little bit to get this thing to run a little
quicker in the first 60 feet.  It made a little bit of a funny move
tonight, which threw me off a little bit. As a result, I put it in
second about 400 rpm too early, which also cost us a few thousandths. 
 

"We were the quickest car in the last eighth of a mile, so we know we
have the power, and everything looks good under the hood.  Assuming we
have the same track and atmospheric conditions tomorrow and with a
little bit of luck, we'll see if we can squeeze this ACDelco Cobalt on
to the pole."