NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: KJ Will Be Swatting and Swinging in Brainerd

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ Will Be Swatting and Swinging in Brainerd

ACDelco Cobalt crew ready to take on mosquitoes and the competition in
Minnesota

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., August 9, 2006 - Located a couple of hours north of the
Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Brainerd, MN is one of the state's favorite
vacation spots.  Nestled among the woods and the lakes for which the
state is known, it offers visitors a chance to relax and get away from
the rigors of their daily grind.  However, when Kurt Johnson and the
ACDelco Cobalt Racing team arrive in the Brainerd Lakes area this
weekend for the Lucas Oil Nationals, recreation will be the last thing
on their mind as they look to successfully defend their North Star state
win from a year ago.  Even so, there is one activity they will most
probably be sharing with the many campers in the infield.

 

"At this time of year, the mosquitoes can get pretty thick up there, so
we'll probably be putting on insect repellant and doing a lot of
swatting," joked Johnson.  "As far as our racing is concerned, in the
last few races we've lost by an average of less than four thousandths of
a second, which comes out to less than twelve inches at the finish line.
We can attribute that to many things, including bad luck, but we're not
going to worry about things we can't change. 

 

"Instead, we're going to look to the future.  I figure if we win the
next eight races, we might have a shot at things in the end, so that's
what we're going to concentrate on - winning races.  From here on out,
this ACDelco Cobalt crew is going to be swinging for the fences.  That's
our game plan for the weekend - swatting and swinging in Brainerd."

 

Aiding the Johnson crew in their efforts to reach the winner's circle
for the third time in 2006 will be an all-new chassis.  Although
somewhat reluctant to park a race car with which you have won six races
in ten final round appearances, as well as four No. 1 qualifying
performances and new personal bests in both elapsed time and top speed,
there are numerous benefits making the move an easy one for the
second-generation racer.

 

"We'll be finishing the new car this week, and will make a couple test
runs in Commerce (Georgia, site of Atlanta Dragway) before heading to
Minnesota," said Johnson.  "As long as she goes straight and true to the
330 (foot mark), we should be fine.  Our last car was really good in the
first sixty feet, which we hope to carry over into the new one, as well
as making it better in the back half.  

 

"Our biggest concern with a new car is figuring out its tuning window.
There are a couple areas that are different with this new ACDelco
Cobalt, so we're not 100% sure as to how it will react.  However, new
tubing is usually more consistent, so if we figure out how to make it go
fast, we should be in great shape."

 

One final factor fueling the team's pre-race optimism is the location of
this weekend's race. The NHRA's annual trip to Brainerd not only marks a
homecoming for native Minnesotan Johnson, but is also a track where he
has excelled, with three wins in four final round appearances, a record
he is prepared to embellish even further in the next few days.

 

"We're really looking forward to racing in Minnesota which, of course,
is my home state," stated Johnson.  "I'm sure we'll have a lot of
relatives and a few faces from school at the track to cheer us on, but
they all know we're there to work. In fact, my high school class in
Fridley is having their reunion this weekend, which I will have to miss
since we'll be racing.  

 

"BIR has been good to us in the past, including our win there a year
ago, and we'd like to get back to the winner's circle.  If we can get a
handle on this new car's performance right off the bat, we should be
able to once again leave Brainerd with the trophy."

 

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

The Lucas Oil Nationals:

 

KJ has felt right at home racing in Minnesota:  This will be KJ's 14th
career appearance at Brainerd International Raceway, where he has three
wins (including one year ago) in four final round appearances and a
26-10 elimination round record for a .722 win percentage.  

 

KJ's Brainerd Qualifying Stats:  In his 13 previous career starts at
Brainerd International Raceway, Kurt has one No. 1 qualifying
performances (in 2003), 11 starts in the top half of the field, and an
average starting position of 4.85.

 

One year ago - Defending Champion:  Kurt was the No. 3 qualifier with an
elapsed time of 6.721 seconds and top speed of 205.13 mph, and defeated
Kenny Koretsky, David Howard, Greg Anderson and Greg Stanfield en route
to the 31st national event win of his career.

 

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.646 sec., Joliet, IL, 6/11/06

 

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

 

Event Schedule:

Friday, August 11:           Two qualifying sessions at 2:45 & 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 12:      Two qualifying sessions at 11:15 a.m. & 2:15
P.M.

            Sunday, August 13:         Pre-race ceremonies starting at
10:00 a.m.

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

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, August 12:    8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, August 13:      8:00 - 11:00 p.m.

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, August 13:      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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