Kurt Johnson Starts Ninth in Columbus

Kurt Johnson completed a solid qualifying effort on Saturday at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Improving with each pass, Johnson's ACDelco Cavalier powered down the quarter-mile on his fourth and final qualifying attempt at National Trail Raceway in 6.833 seconds with a top speed of 201.49 mph to earn the ninth starting position, as the second-generation driver seeks his second win of the 2004 POWERade Drag Racing season.

"We're pretty pleased, having made four decent runs so far this weekend. The clutch is still a little light, but this car continues to feel good going down the track. That 6.83 we ran in the last session is the run we needed this morning, when the atmospheric conditions were about 500 feet better. That would have worked out to a 6.81, which would have moved us up in the show, giving us lane choice and a better draw, but we will be fine starting where we qualified.

"We know we're No. 9, and don't have lane choice, but the ACDelco Cavalier has won from the back before, so we'll come out in the morning, let the clutch out, and see what happens."

Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing