NHRA Kurt Johnson Race Wrap Up: KJ's Madison Night Race Ends in the Quarterfinals

Contact:  Jon Knapp   

TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

 Ph: (704) 662-3121

jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ's Madison Night Race Ends in the Quarterfinals

 

Event:  10th Annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals

Day/Date: Sunday, June 25, 2006

Location:  Gateway International Raceway, Madison, IL

 

After qualifying second and being one of the quickest and most
consistent cars in qualifying, Kurt Johnson looked to successfully
defend his Pro Stock win at Sunday's final eliminations of the O'Reilly
NHRA Midwest Nationals in Madison, IL.  In the first round, things went
according to plan, as he eliminated Mark Pawuk.

 

However, his assignment grew tougher in the second round, as he would
face David Connolly.  Johnson posted a strong challenge, combining a
solid .31 reaction time with the second quickest run of the round at
6.728-seconds, 205.54 mph.  Unfortunately, it fell five thousandths of a
second shy of overcoming his opponent's starting line advantage, gained
through a .014 reaction time, putting a premature end to Johnson's day.

 

 "It was a good, close drag race, but close in the wrong direction.  We
knew he (Connolly) would be tough, and I had my best light of the
weekend at a .031, but he was .014.  Looking at his 60-foot time, he did
go in a little deep, which hurt his e.t.

 

"Our ACDelco Cobalt was pretty decent this weekend. We had some engine
issues which we were able to solve, qualified second, and finished
fifth. That wasn't what we ultimately wanted to do, but it could have
been worse.  On the positive side, we did gain a little ground on the
points leader (Greg Anderson, who lost in the first round), and had a
car capable of winning the race. We just came up five thousandths shy at
the finish line.  We'll lick our wounds, get back to work and go on to
Denver."

 

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