NHRA Kurt Johnson Pre Race: Facing a Clear-Cut Challenge, KJ is Resolute Heading to Richmond

Contact:

     Jon G. Knapp

     TMG Sports Marketing

     (704) 662-3121

     jgknapp@tmgsports.net

 

Facing a Clear-Cut Challenge, KJ is Resolute Heading to Richmond

ACDelco Cobalt Racer Determined to Qualify for the Countdown to One

 

Sugar Hill, Ga., October 3, 2007 - Kurt Johnson has a clearly defined
mission entering this weekend's Torco Racing Fuels Nationals in
Richmond, VA.  With only one race remaining before the Countdown to One,
the final stage of the three-tiered POWERade Championship format
installed this year, the ACDelco Cobalt racer must ascend two positions
in the points standings in order to be among those still vying for this
season's title.  Although this objective is certainly within his reach,
Johnson knows he will need a flawless performance as well as a little
luck to get the job done.

 

"This weekend, we have to be both perfect and lucky," stated Johnson.
"First and foremost, we have to win the race with our ACDelco Cobalt.
If we do that, hopefully the rest of the cards will fall into place.
Certainly, as the last race of the Countdown to Four, there's some
pressure, but not any more than there is trying to win any place we
race.  Besides, we're not going to worry about things we can't control.
Going into Richmond, we're focused on running fast, qualifying well and
getting the trophy on Sunday."

 

In order to reach his goal, Johnson must accomplish two things.  First,
he and his crew must overcome the slight lapses that have plagued them
in the last two races, leading to early elimination round exits.  In
addition, they must find a way to tame a tricky Virginia Motorsports
Park surface that has held them out of the winner's circle in seven
previous visits.  Energized by the twin challenges that lay before him,
the popular Georgia-based driver heads to the Old Dominion state
determined to deliver a winning performance.

 

"We've gotten the performance of our ACDelco Cobalt where it needs to
be, and I believe we're ready to roll," said Johnson.  "Over the last
two races there was a concern with my reaction times falling off, and we
hadn't been able to get the car to react as well as we'd like.  However,
we discovered some issues with the clutch linkage, which I think we've
fixed, and have gone over the rest of the car with a fine-toothed comb
to make sure everything is working to perfection.

 

"It would be nice to 'double up" this weekend, getting into the next
stage of the Countdown, as well as scoring our first win at Virginia
Motorsports Park.  From what I understand, the track should be better
than it was last year, when the texture was way too coarse.
Fortunately, they've ground it from one end to the other, so it should
be pretty decent.  However, we won't really know until we get there, and
even then, it will be the same for everyone, so it's going to come down
to a matter of execution.  The opportunity is there - we just have to
make sure and take advantage of it."

 

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 -  Torco Racing Fuels Nationals Edition:

 

1 - a) Career No. 1 qualifying performances by Kurt in Richmond, which
came in 1999

      b) Virginia Motorsports Park final round appearances by KJ, coming
in 1997

 

4 - Tracks on the 2007 POWERade Drag Racing Series Schedule where KJ has
yet to win (Topeka, KS, Englishtown, NJ, Norwalk, Ohio and Richmond, VA)

 

5 - Top half qualifying starts for KJ in his 7 prior starts at VMP.

 

5.29 - Average starting position for KJ in his seven prior Virginia
starts.

 

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

 

10 -  KJ elimination round wins in Richmond, versus 7 losses for a .588
win percentage

 

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

 

7 - Total Pro Stock appearances by Kurt Johnson at Virginia Motorsports
Park coming into 2007, dating back to 1995, when he qualified sixth and
advanced to the semifinals.

 

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

 

Event Schedule:

            Friday, October 5:                   Two qualifying sessions
at 3:30 & 6:00 p.m.

            Saturday, October 6:              Two qualifying sessions at
12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.

            Sunday, October 7:                 Pre-race ceremonies
starting at 10:00 a.m.

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

Television Coverage:

            Qualifying:

                        Saturday, October 6:              7:00 - 8:00
p.m.

            Eliminations:

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

            NHRA RaceDay:

                        Sunday, October 7:                11:00 - 11:30
a.m

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