KJ & Crew Work to Continue the ACDelco Cobalt's Charge in Colorado
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Second Generation Racer Looks for Third Mile-High Nationals Win
Sugar Hill, Ga., July 13, 2005 - Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing team opened the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season with the same race car they had used throughout the 2004 campaign. It was a solid piece, one that had carried them to a win in Phoenix and a fifth place finish in the championship standings. As such, it allowed them to make a representative start, highlighted by a semifinal performance at thes eason-opening Winternationals.
However, once the team unveiled their sleek new ACDelco Cobalt at the sixth event of the year in Bristol, TN, their performance truly hit the fast track. After scoring an impressive semifinal finish in the new car's debut event, the Sugar Hill-based team powered through the learning curve, culminating with their historic win in Madison, IL two weeks ago.
Overall, in seven races they have posted one win in two final round appearances, two No. 1 qualifying performances and six starts in the Top Three, allowing them to advance five positions in the POWERade standings. It is a positive trend that Johnson and his close-knit crewwill look to continue at next weekend's Mile-High Nationals in Denver,CO.
"There was really nothing wrong with our old car," stated Johnson. "It was more of a situation where we started the year with several new pieces in our combination, and it took us a few races to establish the performance parameters. In fact, we incorporated some of the lessons we learned with the old car into the set-up for the new one.
"Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay this new ACDelco Cobalt is that although it might not have shown it in the results, we did have to go through somewhat of a learning curve with it. Fortunately, it now seems to be pretty happy, making good runs, telling us what it needs and responding to the changes we make to it.
"Everything seems to be going in the right direction. From the car, the clutch and the crew, it's all jelling. The momentum is definitely going in a positive direction, and hopefully, we can use that to put a few more wins together, make a move in the points, and see if we can do something by the end of the year."
In order to maintain their winning ways, the team will have to master the unique conditions at Bandimere Speedway. Nestled in the side of a mountain overlooking Denver, it is arguably one of the most picturesque locations on the POWERade tour. However, located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet, the thin air robs the naturally aspirated Pro Stock engines of horsepower, putting a premium on hitting the right set-up.Fortunately the team will arrive at the Colorado quarter-mile armed with a record of previous success and with their confidence bolstered by their most recent win.
"Denver is always a bit different," said Johnson. "You never really know what to expect until you get there. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and allow us to get four runs in qualifying so we can put a package together for race day. Although we did not test, Dad (six-time NHRA Pro Stock Champion and four-time Bandimere winner Warren Johnson) was up there last week with his car, so we can use his information, as well as our notes from the past to get an idea of where we will want to start on Friday.
"Obviously, you want to be quicker and faster than everyone else each time out, but if we can be close on the first run and fine-tune it from there, making sure we qualify, we'll be pretty happy. It all comes down to adapting to the air. We've had some decent success on the mountain, winning in 1995 and again in 2000, so I guess it's time for us to win another race in Denver.
"I think the team is pretty pumped up after our win in St. Louis. It had been a while, and it's a good feeling to know you're the baddest hotrod out there, which made getting ready for Denver a little easier. However, that race is behind us now, and it's time for us to do it all over again at Bandimere."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering the Mile-High Nationals:
* KJ's Record at Bandimere: This will be Kurt's 13th appearanceat Bandimere Speedway, where he has two wins in 1995 and 2000 and oneNo. 1 qualifying performance in 2000. Overall, KJ has a 24-10 elimination round record on the mountain.
* Trying to go back-to-back: Kurt will be looking to win consecutive races for the fifth time in his career, having last done so at the 2003 Houston and Bristol races.
* Potential KJ milestone: Having been the No. 1 qualifier at the last two NHRA national events in Englishtown, NJ and Madison, IL, Kurt will be gunning to be the No. 1 qualifier in three consecutive races forthe first time in his career. Kurt has now been the No. 1 qualifier at consecutive races three times in his career.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified fourteenth with an elapsed timeof 7.215 seconds and a top speed of 192.22 mph, and advanced to the semi-finals.
* Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.671 sec., Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
* Career best top speed: 207.13 mph, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Event Schedule:
Friday, July 15 - Two qualifying sessions at 4:15 & 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 - Two qualifying sessions at 10: 15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 - Pre-race ceremonies begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by the first round of eliminations at 12:00 noon
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, July 16 -8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, July 17 -3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, July 17 -9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
(Repeat) Monday, July 18 -3:00 - 4:30 a.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, July 17 -11:30 a.m. - 12 noon.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)
TMG Sports Marketing
Second Generation Racer Looks for Third Mile-High Nationals Win
Sugar Hill, Ga., July 13, 2005 - Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing team opened the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season with the same race car they had used throughout the 2004 campaign. It was a solid piece, one that had carried them to a win in Phoenix and a fifth place finish in the championship standings. As such, it allowed them to make a representative start, highlighted by a semifinal performance at thes eason-opening Winternationals.
However, once the team unveiled their sleek new ACDelco Cobalt at the sixth event of the year in Bristol, TN, their performance truly hit the fast track. After scoring an impressive semifinal finish in the new car's debut event, the Sugar Hill-based team powered through the learning curve, culminating with their historic win in Madison, IL two weeks ago.
Overall, in seven races they have posted one win in two final round appearances, two No. 1 qualifying performances and six starts in the Top Three, allowing them to advance five positions in the POWERade standings. It is a positive trend that Johnson and his close-knit crewwill look to continue at next weekend's Mile-High Nationals in Denver,CO.
"There was really nothing wrong with our old car," stated Johnson. "It was more of a situation where we started the year with several new pieces in our combination, and it took us a few races to establish the performance parameters. In fact, we incorporated some of the lessons we learned with the old car into the set-up for the new one.
"Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay this new ACDelco Cobalt is that although it might not have shown it in the results, we did have to go through somewhat of a learning curve with it. Fortunately, it now seems to be pretty happy, making good runs, telling us what it needs and responding to the changes we make to it.
"Everything seems to be going in the right direction. From the car, the clutch and the crew, it's all jelling. The momentum is definitely going in a positive direction, and hopefully, we can use that to put a few more wins together, make a move in the points, and see if we can do something by the end of the year."
In order to maintain their winning ways, the team will have to master the unique conditions at Bandimere Speedway. Nestled in the side of a mountain overlooking Denver, it is arguably one of the most picturesque locations on the POWERade tour. However, located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet, the thin air robs the naturally aspirated Pro Stock engines of horsepower, putting a premium on hitting the right set-up.Fortunately the team will arrive at the Colorado quarter-mile armed with a record of previous success and with their confidence bolstered by their most recent win.
"Denver is always a bit different," said Johnson. "You never really know what to expect until you get there. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and allow us to get four runs in qualifying so we can put a package together for race day. Although we did not test, Dad (six-time NHRA Pro Stock Champion and four-time Bandimere winner Warren Johnson) was up there last week with his car, so we can use his information, as well as our notes from the past to get an idea of where we will want to start on Friday.
"Obviously, you want to be quicker and faster than everyone else each time out, but if we can be close on the first run and fine-tune it from there, making sure we qualify, we'll be pretty happy. It all comes down to adapting to the air. We've had some decent success on the mountain, winning in 1995 and again in 2000, so I guess it's time for us to win another race in Denver.
"I think the team is pretty pumped up after our win in St. Louis. It had been a while, and it's a good feeling to know you're the baddest hotrod out there, which made getting ready for Denver a little easier. However, that race is behind us now, and it's time for us to do it all over again at Bandimere."
Notes on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering the Mile-High Nationals:
* KJ's Record at Bandimere: This will be Kurt's 13th appearanceat Bandimere Speedway, where he has two wins in 1995 and 2000 and oneNo. 1 qualifying performance in 2000. Overall, KJ has a 24-10 elimination round record on the mountain.
* Trying to go back-to-back: Kurt will be looking to win consecutive races for the fifth time in his career, having last done so at the 2003 Houston and Bristol races.
* Potential KJ milestone: Having been the No. 1 qualifier at the last two NHRA national events in Englishtown, NJ and Madison, IL, Kurt will be gunning to be the No. 1 qualifier in three consecutive races forthe first time in his career. Kurt has now been the No. 1 qualifier at consecutive races three times in his career.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified fourteenth with an elapsed timeof 7.215 seconds and a top speed of 192.22 mph, and advanced to the semi-finals.
* Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.671 sec., Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
* Career best top speed: 207.13 mph, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Event Schedule:
Friday, July 15 - Two qualifying sessions at 4:15 & 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 - Two qualifying sessions at 10: 15 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 - Pre-race ceremonies begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by the first round of eliminations at 12:00 noon
Television Schedule:
Qualifying: Saturday, July 16 -8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(Repeat) Sunday, July 17 -3:00 - 5:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, July 17 -9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
(Repeat) Monday, July 18 -3:00 - 4:30 a.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, July 17 -11:30 a.m. - 12 noon.
(Please consult your local listings for exact times, as the schedule is subject to change.)
posted by David @ 11:09 PM
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