NHRA Kurt Johnson Columbus Pre Race: KJ & Crew Work to Continue Their Charge in Columbus

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ & Crew Work to Continue Their Charge in Columbus

ACDelco Cobalt crew looks to improve on 2005 runner-up finish at
National Trail

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., May 16, 2006 -  Kurt Johnson is a man on the move.
After an uncharacteristically slow start, Johnson and his ACDelco Cobalt
Racing team have come to life in the last three races, with a win, a
semifinal round appearance and a total of seven elimination round wins.
This performance has allowed the second-generation racer to catapult
nine spots in the POWERade championship standings from seventeenth to
eighth, progress he looks to continue this weekend at the Pontiac
Performance NHRA Nationals in Columbus, OH.

 

"We've had to overcome our share of challenges this year, but this
ACDelco Cobalt crew is back on track," stated Johnson.  "From having the
truck break down, or experiencing unusual mechanical problems with the
race car and issues with race track preparation to the tragic loss of
one of my best buddies in Scott Geoffrion one week ago, so far it's been
an uphill battle, but we're hanging in there and starting to make up
ground."

 

The team's recent strong showing has also prompted a change in the
team's competitive strategy, as their new race car will remain parked at
the team's headquarters in Sugar Hill as they continue to campaign the
tried, proven and winning ACDelco Cobalt with which they started the
season. 

 

"The competition in Pro Stock is as tight as it has ever been, making it
extremely important to be consistent in every run," said Johnson.
"That's why we're not in a hurry to bring out the new car.  We know what
this ACDelco Cobalt wants and needs to run, so we'll use it for the next
few races.  We have other things that we need to test at the moment, and
eliminating the variable of brand new tubing is just more productive at
this time.  It'll be on the track when it's ready.  For now, we're
looking to stay focused and consistent, making sure we have good parts
underneath us, and keep moving forward."

 

The site of this weekend's race presents some added incentive for
Johnson, as National Trail Raceway is one of only five tracks on the
2006 POWERade schedule where he has yet to reach the winner's circle.
Having come close with a runner-up finish one year ago, he enters this
event determined to complete the picture and add a Buckeye State win to
his trophy case.

 

"We certainly want to win in Columbus and add it to our resume,"
explained Johnson.  "However, it's not like we're going to try any
harder because we have yet to win there.  We put the same maximum effort
into every race, whether we have ten wins at that track or none.

 

"What we might do differently is look at our notes from previous years
at National Trail and see if we can determine why we didn't win, looking
even further into the details.  For example, we feel like we let one
slip away from us in the final here a year ago.  It was a race we
believe we could have won but didn't, which is something we don't want
to let happen again.  We've been to the final round there twice in my
career, so it's time we step it up a notch and get this ACDelco Cobalt
into the winner's circle." 

 

 

Quick Notes on Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering

The Pontiac Performance Nationals:

 

National Trail Raceway has been a challenge for KJ:  This will be KJ's
14th career appearance at National Trail Raceway, where he has two final
round appearances in 1993 & 2005, and a 13-12 elimination round record
for a .520 win percentage.

 

KJ's Qualifying Stats in Ohio:  In his 12 previous career starts in
Columbus, Kurt has one No. 1 qualifying performance in 1998, nine starts
in the top half of the field, and an average starting position of 6.75.

 

One year ago:  Kurt qualified second with an elapsed time of 6.724
seconds and a top speed of 205.01 mph, and was the runner-up in the
first final-round appearance of the Chevrolet Cobalt in NHRA Pro Stock
competition.

 

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.663 sec., Dallas, TX, 10/7/05

 

Career best top speed:  207.72 mph, Pomona, CA, 2/12/06

 

Event Schedule:

Friday, May 19:                Two qualifying sessions at 4:30 & 7:00
p.m.

            Saturday, May 20:           Two qualifying sessions at 12
noon & 2:30 p.m.

            Sunday, May 21:               Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 10:00 a.m.

                                                     First Round of
Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, May 20:    10:00 - 12:00 midnight

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, May 21:      8:00 - 11:00 p.m.

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, May 21:      11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

 

(All times Eastern.  Please check your local listings for exact
broadcast times in your area.)

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