NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: KJ Ready to Author a Championship Title in Three Chapters

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net



*KJ Ready to Author a Championship Title in Three Chapters*

*ACDelco Cobalt crew kicks off 2007 season in Pomona *

* *

*Sugar Hill**, Ga.**, February 5, 2007 – *At this weekend's Carquest Auto
Parts Winternationals, Kurt Johnson will kick off his 15th year as a
full-time competitor in the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series.  Since
making his competitive debut with a semifinal finish at the 1993
Winternationals, the popular driver of the ACDelco Cobalt has accomplished
almost everything one could in the sport, from being the 1993 Rookie of the
Year and the first Pro Stock racer to record an elapsed time in the
six-second range to Top Ten finishes in every year of competition and an
unmatched streak of twelve consistent years with at least one national event
win, including consecutive U.S. Nationals titles in 1996 & 1997.



However, as Johnson arrives in the Golden State this weekend for the NHRA's
season-opener, one element remains missing from his racing resume – the
POWERade Pro Stock championship.  Having finished in the runner-up position
four times in his career (in 1993, 2000, 2003 and 2005), KJ knows it will
take a near-perfect effort to capture this elusive goal, and despite a few
new added variables, remains resolute in ending the season in the top
position.



"Our ACDelco Cobalt may look the same as it did last year, but we've made a
few changes to it, trying to go quicker and faster," said Johnson.  "The
crew is also a little different with Nate Allbritain joining Justin Belfance
and myself, as well as Terry (crew chief Adams) coming on board to help
Dad's (six-time champion Warren) and my teams.



"So far, the changes are working out well and our attitude couldn't be
better.  We're expecting to go out and win our share of races.  Certainly
our ultimate goal is the POWERade championship, but we've got a long season
ahead of us and, on top of everything else, a new championship format to
contend with.  It's going to be interesting, but we're determined to do it
better than everyone else."



The revised format Johnson refers to is titled the "Countdown to the
Championship," giving the fight for the POWERade Championship a completely
new look in 2007.  Under rules announced last fall, this year's title chase
will be separated into three segments, with contenders whittled down to
eight following the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and four following the
Richmond race before coming to an end at the final race of the season in
Pomona.



Although this radical redesign of the championship format has been the
subject of great debate over the last few months, Johnson and his ACDelco
crew have chosen to focus instead on preparing themselves and their race car
for the nine-month, 23-race odyssey that lies ahead, ensuring every detail
is addressed.



"Whether you like it or not, the Countdown to the Championship is here, and
it's up to us to adapt to it as best as possible," stated Johnson.  "Basically,
it's three seasons wrapped into one, and our game plan is simple.  In the
first 17 races, we do whatever's necessary to be in the top eight.  After
that, we have four races to guarantee we're one of the top four.  Finally,
we'll have two races to win the championship.



"It all comes down to not letting anything slip by from the very start this
weekend in Pomona.  From the first qualifying session on Thursday, we have
to attack, making the most of every opportunity, staying at or near the top.
The trick is to be consistent, making sure you qualify well and get lane
choice whenever possible.  If we do that, we'll put ourselves in a position
to come out on top, no matter what format is used.  This season is a book
with three chapters, and this ACDelco Cobalt crew is determined to give it a
happy ending."

* *

*Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team *

*By the Numbers - Carquest Auto Parts Winternationals edition:*

*2 – *KJ Winternationals final round appearances



*6.613 –* KJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October
2006 in Richmond, VA

* *

*14 – *Previous KJ Winternationals starts, dating back to his rookie debut
in 1993.



*22 – *KJ Winternationals round wins, versus 13 losses for a .629 win
percentage



*209.26 -* KJ's career best top speed (in mph) recorded in October 2006 in
Richmond, VA



*2000 –* Year of KJ's only Winternationals win to date, when he qualified
fifth and defeated Mark Osborne, Mike Edwards, Bruce Allen and Darrell
Alderman.



*Personal Appearance:*

Kurt & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team will be greeting the fans and signing
autographs at *Mark Christopher Chevrolet*,  *2131 Convention Center Way*, *
Ontario**, CA* from *5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7*. For further
information, please call (909) 390-2900.



*Event Schedule:*

*            *Thursday & Friday, February 8-9:  Single qualifying session at
2:00 p.m.

            Saturday, February 10:  Two qualifying sessions at 12 noon &
3:00 p.m.

            Sunday, February 11:     Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00
a.m.

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



*Television Coverage:*

*            *Qualifying:

*                        *Saturday, February 10:  10:00 p.m. -12:00 midnight

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, February 11:     8:00 – 11:00 p.m.

            NHRA RaceDay:

                        Sunday, February 11:       11:00  - 11:30 a.m.



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