KJ Looks to Complete the Puzzle in Topeka
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Strong start has ACDelco Cobalt crew targeting win at O'Reilly Summer Nationals
Sugar Hill, Ga., May 25, 2005 - This weekend's O'Reilly Summer Nationals in Topeka, KS will mark Pro Stock standout Kurt Johnson's fourth race with his ACDelco Cobalt. By all accounts, this combination has been both historic and productive, as the second-generation became the first to qualify, score elimination round wins and advance to a final round with the latest member of the Pro Stock Bow Tie Brigade. This performance has also catapulted Johnson into fifth place in the POWERade Championship standings as he chases his first title, giving the hard-working team's confidence a welcome boost.
"The performance of this ACDelco Cobalt has definitely headed us in the right direction," said Johnson. "With two semifinals and a runner-up in its first three races, it's been pretty good, and it's only going to get better. We've gone to the semis and the final with it, so now, anything less than a win will be a bit of a disappointment.
"We battled some clutch issues at the last race in Columbus, so we'll go back to the set-up we used in the past. After all, we won Phoenix last year with that combination, and were the runners-up in Topeka, so we know it works. We're not here to just go a few rounds - we're here to win all four."
Armed with their new race car, the Johnson crew will head west to Heartland Park Topeka to compete for the third consecutive weekend. KJ has attended every NHRA national event held at this multipurpose motorsports facility since 1989, and although he has reached the winner's circle as a member of his father's crew, he has yet to make that trip with his own race car. Having come close with runner-up finishes in his last two visits to the Kansas quarter-mile, he returns this weekend ready to seal the deal.
"We've been going to Topeka for sixteen years, and the two things that stand out in my mind are the long ride up to the starting line and the winds that blast you as you come through the tower," said Johnson. "I remember when we first went there in 1989, because it was the same year we moved into this shop. It may have a little age on it, but it's still a good track.
"Most importantly, it's one of the places we have yet to win. We've come close the last two years, but we really want that Topeka 'Wally'. It won't be easy, and there are plenty of other guys looking to grab the same brass ring. Fortunately, we're coming in off a runner-up finish in Columbus one week ago with a race car that we know is fast. We were the runner-up last week both in qualifying and eliminations, so we're coming to Heartland Park ready to do whatever it takes to climb that last step."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering the O'Reilly Summer Nationals:
KJ in Topeka: This will be Kurt's 18th appearance at Heartland Park Topeka, where he has two final round appearances in the last two years, and one No. 1 qualifying performance in 1995.
One year ago: Kurt qualified fifth with an elapsed time of 6.871 seconds and a top speed of 200.56 mph and defeated Bruce Allen, Kenny Koretsky and No. 1 qualifier Steve Johns en route to a runner-up finish.
Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.671 sec., Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Career best top speed: 207.13 mph, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
TMG Sports Marketing
Strong start has ACDelco Cobalt crew targeting win at O'Reilly Summer Nationals
Sugar Hill, Ga., May 25, 2005 - This weekend's O'Reilly Summer Nationals in Topeka, KS will mark Pro Stock standout Kurt Johnson's fourth race with his ACDelco Cobalt. By all accounts, this combination has been both historic and productive, as the second-generation became the first to qualify, score elimination round wins and advance to a final round with the latest member of the Pro Stock Bow Tie Brigade. This performance has also catapulted Johnson into fifth place in the POWERade Championship standings as he chases his first title, giving the hard-working team's confidence a welcome boost.
"The performance of this ACDelco Cobalt has definitely headed us in the right direction," said Johnson. "With two semifinals and a runner-up in its first three races, it's been pretty good, and it's only going to get better. We've gone to the semis and the final with it, so now, anything less than a win will be a bit of a disappointment.
"We battled some clutch issues at the last race in Columbus, so we'll go back to the set-up we used in the past. After all, we won Phoenix last year with that combination, and were the runners-up in Topeka, so we know it works. We're not here to just go a few rounds - we're here to win all four."
Armed with their new race car, the Johnson crew will head west to Heartland Park Topeka to compete for the third consecutive weekend. KJ has attended every NHRA national event held at this multipurpose motorsports facility since 1989, and although he has reached the winner's circle as a member of his father's crew, he has yet to make that trip with his own race car. Having come close with runner-up finishes in his last two visits to the Kansas quarter-mile, he returns this weekend ready to seal the deal.
"We've been going to Topeka for sixteen years, and the two things that stand out in my mind are the long ride up to the starting line and the winds that blast you as you come through the tower," said Johnson. "I remember when we first went there in 1989, because it was the same year we moved into this shop. It may have a little age on it, but it's still a good track.
"Most importantly, it's one of the places we have yet to win. We've come close the last two years, but we really want that Topeka 'Wally'. It won't be easy, and there are plenty of other guys looking to grab the same brass ring. Fortunately, we're coming in off a runner-up finish in Columbus one week ago with a race car that we know is fast. We were the runner-up last week both in qualifying and eliminations, so we're coming to Heartland Park ready to do whatever it takes to climb that last step."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering the O'Reilly Summer Nationals:
KJ in Topeka: This will be Kurt's 18th appearance at Heartland Park Topeka, where he has two final round appearances in the last two years, and one No. 1 qualifying performance in 1995.
One year ago: Kurt qualified fifth with an elapsed time of 6.871 seconds and a top speed of 200.56 mph and defeated Bruce Allen, Kenny Koretsky and No. 1 qualifier Steve Johns en route to a runner-up finish.
Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.671 sec., Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Career best top speed: 207.13 mph, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
posted by David @ 4:03 PM
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