NHRA Kurt Johnson Memphis Update: KJ Captures the No. 1 Starting Position in Memphis

Contact:  Jon Knapp   

TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

 Ph: (704) 662-3121

jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ Captures the No. 1 Starting Position in Memphis

 

Event:  18th Annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals 

Day/Date: Saturday, August 20, 2005

Location:  Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, TN

 

On the basis of a 6.787-second, 202.85 mph pass made during Friday
evening's qualifying session, Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing
team captured the No. 1 starting position for Sunday's final
eliminations of the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis, TN.  It was
his fourth No. 1 qualifying performance of the season, 27th of his
career, and second at Memphis Motorsports Park.

 

Although the higher temperatures on Saturday prevented any real
challenges for the top spot, Johnson showed he was ready for race day by
posting one of the quickest passes in each of the two sessions,
displaying the consistency needed to go rounds in this highly
competitive category.

 

"Running so much earlier in the day today than we did yesterday, we felt
comfortable concentrating on our set-up for race day.  However, we did
get a little scare in the last session when some cloud cover moved in
just before we ran, dropping the track temperature from 138 to 118
degrees, so we have to be prepared tomorrow to watch what happens, as
the track temperature will play a major role. 

 

"Fortunately, we were able to make good runs in both lanes with our
ACDelco Cobalt, running the low elapsed time in each session yesterday,
and then being among the top three in both runs today.  The big thing
will be making sure we make it from the starting line to the 330-foot
mark in good shape.  

 

"It's shaping up to be similar to the race in St. Louis earlier this
year.  You just have to shoot from the hip, not being scared to go for
it, relying on your experience to make it pay off.  Basically you have
to know your race car and know what it's going to do under those
circumstances.  As long as it does what you want it to, you're going to
be fine, and lately, our ACDelco Cobalt has been cooperating quite
nicely.  Hopefully, it will keep doing so tomorrow."

 

 

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