NHRA Kurt Johnson Qualifyig Wrap Up: KJ Qualifies Seventh in Topeka

Contact:  Jon Knapp   

TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

 Ph: (704) 662-3121

jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ Qualifies Seventh in Topeka

 

Event:  19th Annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals

Day/Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007

Location:  Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, KS

 

On the strength of a 6.740-second, 204.91 mph pass made on his third
attempt on Saturday morning, Kurt Johnson qualified his ACDelco Cobalt
in the seventh position for Sunday's final eliminations of the O'Reilly
NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, KS.  Although limited to only three
qualifying attempts by Friday night's rain, Johnson made the most of his
runs on the tricky Heartland Park Topeka track, recording consecutive
6.74-second times before using his final attempt as a high-speed test
session.

 

Having secured a top-half starting spot, KJ now turned his attention
towards race day, where, after three runner-up finishes in the last four
years, he hopes to score his first national event win on the Kansas
quarter-mile.

 

"We're in the show, and that's what really matters on Saturday night.
Naturally, we would have liked to be higher on the page, but for
starters we're happy to have lane choice for the first round, which has
played a significant role in recent races.

 

"Overall, we made three runs in qualifying, and were pretty decent in
the left, while still learning how to deal with the right lane, just
like everybody else.  We ran a couple 6.74s, which I would consider
average, but far from showing our complete potential.  

 

"Our ACDelco Cobalt is running strong in the back half of the track, so
if we can make clean, smooth straight runs, we should be right up front
tomorrow.  I'm pretty pleased with my performance on the tree, so I'd
have to say things are coming together nicely.  We're looking forward to
having a long day tomorrow."

 

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