NHRA Kurt Johnson Bristol Pre Race: KJ Is Confident of a Turnaround in Thunder Valley

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

KJ Is Confident of a Turnaround in Thunder Valley

ACDelco Cobalt crew returns to proven set-up for rescheduled race at
Bristol Dragway

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., July 4, 2007 - The 2007 POWERade Drag Racing Series has
taken on a new complexion in 2007 under the Countdown to the
Championship format installed by the NHRA, with the original 23-race
championship chase now divided into a three-tiered title fight.  As
teams head to the Tennessee mountains for this weekend's O'Reilly
Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, 11 of the first segment's 17 races
have been completed, with teams jockeying at every turn for one of only
eight positions in the second stanza.  Sitting in the seventh position
heading into this weekend, Kurt Johnson knows a strong showing is
critical to his championship chances, and will therefore return his
ACDelco Cobalt to a proven set-up.

 

"We had been using certain components in our ACDelco Cobalt that
originally showed some potential, but any benefit has been offset by
their inconsistent performance, making the car harder to tune," stated
Johnson.  "What's puzzling is that they are the same pieces Dad
(six-time champion Warren) is using in his GM Performance Parts GTO with
completely different results.  Therefore, we are going to get them out
of the car before Bristol, and go back to where we run decent 60-foot
times and run fast.

 

"The good news is that we know what the problem is and we can fix it.
We're not worried about the driving, and we're making good power.  It's
all a matter of making good runs, going from A to B.  It's been jumping,
spinning and out of control, but it's not shaking the tires, which is a
big thing.  We believe that once we change the offending pieces, we'll
calm it down and get back to qualifying in the top half and going rounds
on Sunday, putting ourselves in a good position for the end of the year.
I feel comfortable with the direction we're heading and know we should
be in good shape very soon."

 

Having a consistent car with a reliable tune-up will be of utmost
importance this weekend, as the racing surface at Bristol Dragway will
be a completely unknown quantity, with the 700-foot concrete launching
pad having been completely redone in the last month. 

 

"I've always enjoyed going to Bristol," said Johnson.  "Of course, my
first experience in Thunder Valley came back in the 70's when we went
with Dad to the IHRA races, but for the last six years, we've been there
with our ACDelco Chevy, and done pretty well.  We've qualified in the
top half most of the time, gone rounds, and won in 2003.  On top of
that, the facility is one of the best on the circuit.

 

"Of course, this year the surface is something of a question mark, but
it will be new to everybody.  I expect it will pretty rough, as I don't
believe they've had time to grind and level it since pouring the new
concrete.   We'll find out when we get there, and maybe we'll even be
pleasantly surprised.  It is, after all, one of Bruton Smith's tracks,
which are the very best we race on, and I'm sure Jeff Byrd and his
entire staff will have it ready to go.  Our job will be to have our
ACDelco Cobalt ready to handle whatever is thrown at us, and, as far as
that goes, I'm not concerned.  We'll be ready."

 

This year, ACDelco is teaming with Kurt Johnson to produce the "ACDelco
Drive to Win" Sweepstakes, where entrants can win awards, racing trips
and prizes, including the grand prize: a 2007 Cobalt SS complete with
Genuine Chevrolet Accessories.  For more information on Kurt Johnson,
ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit
http://www.acdelco.com/promotions/drivetowin/
<http://www.emipowered.com/acdelco/drivetowin/register/?c=source_tmgpr> 

 

Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team 

By the Numbers - O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals edition:

 

1 - Career KJ wins at Bristol Dragway, which came in 2003, when he
qualified fifth and defeated Barry Grant, Bruce Allen, his father Warren
Johnson and Mike Edwards.

 

4 - Top half qualifying starts for KJ in his six prior Bristol races.

 

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

 

8 - Average starting position for KJ in his six prior Bristol starts.

 

13 - Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national
event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.

 

11 -  KJ elimination round wins at Bristol Dragway, versus 5 losses for
a .688 win percentage

 

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

 

Event Schedule:

            Friday, July 6:     Two qualifying sessions at 5:00 & 7:30
p.m.

            Saturday, July 7:            Two qualifying sessions at
12:30  & 3:00 p.m.

            Sunday, July 8:                Pre-race ceremonies starting
at 11:00 a.m.

                                                    First Round of
Eliminations at 12:00 noon

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, July 7:            4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

            Eliminations:

                        Sunday, July 8:              9:30 p.m. - 12:30
a.m.

            NHRA RaceDay:

                        Sunday, July 8:               11:00  - 11:30 a.m

 

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