NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: KJ Aims High in Reading Return

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ Aims High in Reading Return

ACDelco Cobalt crew targets Reading winner's circle

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., September 27, 2006 - After a two-week postponement due
to heavy rain that soaked the grounds at Maple Grove Raceway, the stars
of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) return to Reading, PA this
weekend for the rescheduled Toyo Tires Nationals.  Although this
unfortunate set of events deprives the racers of some well-deserved time
away from the pressure of national event competition, it is simply a
part of doing business in the POWERade Drag Racing Series.  Therefore,
as Kurt Johnson and his ACDelco Cobalt Racing team make their way back
to the Keystone State, they are prepared to make the most of the
opportunity.

 

"These back-to-back races are tough on everybody, and it's an
inconvenience to come back, but you can't control Mother Nature, so
we're headed back to Maple Grove," said Johnson.  "Naturally our first
concern will be with the forecast, hoping that we will have four good
days without any precipitation so we can get the race in and put on a
good show for the fans.  It was supposed to be an off weekend, but we
had better be on this weekend in Reading.

 

"We're going there for the win, and I think we're going to be pretty
fast. It looks like the air is going to be really good to the point that
I believe the national record is going to get hit, and hopefully our
ACDelco Cobalt will be the one to do it, leaving on Sunday night with
the trophy."

 

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

The Toyo Tires Nationals:

 

Kurt's Record at Reading:  This will be KJ's 14th career appearance at
Maple Grove Raceway, where he has three wins (in 1993, 1998 & 2000) and
a 19-8 elimination round record for a .704 win percentage.  

 

KJ's Reading Qualifying Stats:  In his 11 previous career starts at the
'Grove, Kurt has nine starts in the top half of the field, and an
average starting position of 4.82.

 

One year ago:  Kurt qualified third with an elapsed time of 6.739
seconds and top speed of 204.54 mph, and advanced to the semifinals.

 

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, September 29:            Two qualifying sessions at 1:00 & 4:00
p.m.

Saturday, September 30:        Two qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m. &
2:00 p.m.

            Sunday, October 1:                 Pre-race ceremonies
starting at 10:00 a.m.

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

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, September 30:    4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, October 1:      7:00  - 10:00 p.m.

            NHRA2Day:

                        Sunday, October 1:      12:30  - 1:00 p.m.

 

 

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

 

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