Kurt Johnson Likes His Odds in Las Vegas
ACDelco Cavalier Racing team looks to capture the win at their sponsor's race
Sugar Hill, Ga., October 25, 2004 - Every participant in the POWERade Drag Racing Series has certain events among the twenty three on the schedule which, for one reason or another, take on added significance. For example, it could be an event where a driver has experienced success in the past, or a track that is located close to the team's shop.
For Pro Stock standout Kurt Johnson, this weekend's stop at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is such a race, as he will have the unique distinction of racing his ACDelco Pro Stock Cavalier at his sponsor's event.
"I always look forward to the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals," said Johnson. "First of all, it's encouraging to see ACDelco put such an effort into drag racing, not only with our racing team, but with their sponsorship of this race. Every year they work extremely hard to make this a great event. For example, this year we'll have Boyd Coddington as the Grand Marshal and a hot rod show on Sunday.
"In addition, they always bring a big group of customers to the track, giving us our own personal cheering section, which is pretty cool. Of course, that does add some pressure, starting with that crucial Friday night run, when you want to make sure and get a spot for Sunday. In that situation, it's up to us to rise to the occasion."
Even though the Nevada quarter-mile is located several thousand miles away from the Johnson's team headquarters in Sugar Hill, GA, a review of the second-generation racer's performance shows he has adapted quite well to racing in the desert. With three final round appearances in the last three races there, he has come within mere thousandths of a second of reaching the winner's circle. Realizing the significance of capturing the victory at their sponsor's event, Johnson and his talented crew have worked tirelessly over the last two and a half weeks to make sure their race car is in peak condition.
"Naturally, our primary goal at this race is to reward the people who have supported us by putting the ACDelco Cavalier in the winner's circle," stated Johnson. "We feel we have a pretty good handle on the track in Las Vegas, having run well there in the past, including pre-season testing and the spring race.
"We've come close to winning a couple times, but for one reason or another, just missed closing the deal. I'm not saying The Strip owes us one, but I feel we're overdue. One thing is certain, however. If we do win, we'll be in the best place in the world to celebrate.
"However, we know it takes the complete package to win. From the race car to the driver and the crew, everyone has to do their job to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, we won't know until Sunday afternoon if we've been successful, but I certainly wouldn't go betting against us. After all, we have a lot of people counting on us, and we're not about to disappoint them."
Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals:
* KJ Is a High Roller in Las Vegas: This will be Kurt's 9th appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has three final round appearances (at the last three races in Las Vegas), a No. 1 qualifying performance at the 2002 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, and an 11-7 elimination round record for a .611 win percentage.
* Will KJ Reverse his Vegas "Curse"?: KJ has advanced to the final round in each of the last three races run in Las Vegas, but has yet to capture the win.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .645 elimination round winning percentage (372-207) ranks 10th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* National event wins: Kurt's 28 national event victories ties him for 14th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and tie him for fourth on the all-time Pro Stock win list. Kurt's most recent win came at this year's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals in Phoenix, AZ.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
Sugar Hill, Ga., October 25, 2004 - Every participant in the POWERade Drag Racing Series has certain events among the twenty three on the schedule which, for one reason or another, take on added significance. For example, it could be an event where a driver has experienced success in the past, or a track that is located close to the team's shop.
For Pro Stock standout Kurt Johnson, this weekend's stop at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is such a race, as he will have the unique distinction of racing his ACDelco Pro Stock Cavalier at his sponsor's event.
"I always look forward to the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals," said Johnson. "First of all, it's encouraging to see ACDelco put such an effort into drag racing, not only with our racing team, but with their sponsorship of this race. Every year they work extremely hard to make this a great event. For example, this year we'll have Boyd Coddington as the Grand Marshal and a hot rod show on Sunday.
"In addition, they always bring a big group of customers to the track, giving us our own personal cheering section, which is pretty cool. Of course, that does add some pressure, starting with that crucial Friday night run, when you want to make sure and get a spot for Sunday. In that situation, it's up to us to rise to the occasion."
Even though the Nevada quarter-mile is located several thousand miles away from the Johnson's team headquarters in Sugar Hill, GA, a review of the second-generation racer's performance shows he has adapted quite well to racing in the desert. With three final round appearances in the last three races there, he has come within mere thousandths of a second of reaching the winner's circle. Realizing the significance of capturing the victory at their sponsor's event, Johnson and his talented crew have worked tirelessly over the last two and a half weeks to make sure their race car is in peak condition.
"Naturally, our primary goal at this race is to reward the people who have supported us by putting the ACDelco Cavalier in the winner's circle," stated Johnson. "We feel we have a pretty good handle on the track in Las Vegas, having run well there in the past, including pre-season testing and the spring race.
"We've come close to winning a couple times, but for one reason or another, just missed closing the deal. I'm not saying The Strip owes us one, but I feel we're overdue. One thing is certain, however. If we do win, we'll be in the best place in the world to celebrate.
"However, we know it takes the complete package to win. From the race car to the driver and the crew, everyone has to do their job to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, we won't know until Sunday afternoon if we've been successful, but I certainly wouldn't go betting against us. After all, we have a lot of people counting on us, and we're not about to disappoint them."
Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals:
* KJ Is a High Roller in Las Vegas: This will be Kurt's 9th appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has three final round appearances (at the last three races in Las Vegas), a No. 1 qualifying performance at the 2002 ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, and an 11-7 elimination round record for a .611 win percentage.
* Will KJ Reverse his Vegas "Curse"?: KJ has advanced to the final round in each of the last three races run in Las Vegas, but has yet to capture the win.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .645 elimination round winning percentage (372-207) ranks 10th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* National event wins: Kurt's 28 national event victories ties him for 14th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and tie him for fourth on the all-time Pro Stock win list. Kurt's most recent win came at this year's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals in Phoenix, AZ.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
posted by David @ 1:50 AM
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