Fueled by his Win in Phoenix, KJ is Ready to Tackle the Gators
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco Cobalt crew determined to build on their success at sponsor's race
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 14, 2007 - Winning is an experience that impacts teams in a variety of ways. Although the universal reaction immediately following a victory is naturally one of great elation, the difference occurs in the days and weeks that follow. The teams' mindset can cover a wide spectrum, from those who elect to remain in the moment, almost as if expecting to never duplicate their success, to others who proceed as if it were the conclusion to a normal business transaction. If approached sensibly, it is in this time period where long-term benefits can take root, propelling those involved to even greater accomplishments.
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team are among those not content to rest on their laurels. In fact, their competitive fires have been stoked even higher by their dramatic win in Phoenix two weeks ago. Therefore, they enter this weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL determined to maintain their forward movement in the POWERade championship standings.
"Two years ago, our win in Phoenix turned out to be our only one for the year, and this entire ACDelco Cobalt crew is committed to not repeating that performance," stated Johnson. "The way we see it, if you win once, you should be able to do it again, even in a category as tough as Pro Stock. It's certainly great to have won, and we definitely enjoyed taking home the trophy, but that's not where we want to stop. That win is driving me even harder, and we're going to do everything we can to keep it going in Gainesville."
As the traditional East Coast drag racing season-opener, the ACDelco Gatornationals draws fans from all over the country, filling the stands to capacity and creating an atmosphere unlike any other on the circuit. In addition, Gainesville Raceway, site of this weekend's event, has been the site of some of the sport's most dramatic moments, with a racing surface fully capable of delivering record performances. It is truly a dynamic combination, making it a win every driver wants on his or her racing resume. For the Johnson-led crew, the stakes are raised even higher by the fact that the name on the side of their race car matches that of the event’s title sponsor.
"The Gators have always been one of the premiere races on the NHRA POWERade tour, and having ACDelco as the title sponsor only adds to that," said Johnson. "As they do at every race they sponsor, ACDelco has numerous activities going on throughout the weekend, including the start of their Drive to Win sweepstakes where fans can enter at acdelco.com to win prizes whenever we win a race, so we'd like nothing better than to be in the winner's circle on Sunday night.
"Gainesville Raceway is a fun place to race. When you roll through the gates, you can feel the electricity. We have one win there in 2003, and were the runners-up in 1999, but the biggest thrill comes from the thousands of fans who pack the place.
"As long as the temperatures stay down and the sun doesn't attack the track, the racing surface isn't too bad. If Mother Nature cooperates, it should be a fast track this weekend, so we'll have to be on our game. Fortunately, we have a good mix of people on both my dad's GM Performance Parts and my ACDelco teams at the moment, with absolutely no bad apples. Everyone is working together really well, and having fun doing it. Hopefully, we can keep things going our way."
For more information on Kurt Johnson, ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit www.acdelco.com.
Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals edition:
1 – KJ Gainesville Raceway wins, which came in 2003
2 – Gatornationals Final Round Appearances, coming in 1999 & 2003
5 – Different types of car that KJ has raced at Firebird Raceway (Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Firebird, Chevrolet Camaro, Cavalier & Cobalt)
6.613 – KJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
11 – Top half qualifying starts for Kurt in Gainesville, where his average starting position is 7.0
13 – a) Previous KJ Gainesville Raceway starts, dating back to his rookie debut in 1993.
b) Consecutive years in which KJ has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
18 – KJ Gainesville round wins, versus 12 losses for a .600 win percentage
209.26 - KJ's career best top speed (in mph) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
2003 – Year of KJ's only Gainesville Raceway win, when he qualified third and defeated Mike Edwards, Mark Whisnant, Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin.
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 16: Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 17: Two qualifying sessions at 12 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 18: Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage:
Qualifying: Sunday, March 18: 1:00 – 3:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 18: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
NHRA Race Day: Sunday, March 18: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco Cobalt crew determined to build on their success at sponsor's race
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 14, 2007 - Winning is an experience that impacts teams in a variety of ways. Although the universal reaction immediately following a victory is naturally one of great elation, the difference occurs in the days and weeks that follow. The teams' mindset can cover a wide spectrum, from those who elect to remain in the moment, almost as if expecting to never duplicate their success, to others who proceed as if it were the conclusion to a normal business transaction. If approached sensibly, it is in this time period where long-term benefits can take root, propelling those involved to even greater accomplishments.
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team are among those not content to rest on their laurels. In fact, their competitive fires have been stoked even higher by their dramatic win in Phoenix two weeks ago. Therefore, they enter this weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL determined to maintain their forward movement in the POWERade championship standings.
"Two years ago, our win in Phoenix turned out to be our only one for the year, and this entire ACDelco Cobalt crew is committed to not repeating that performance," stated Johnson. "The way we see it, if you win once, you should be able to do it again, even in a category as tough as Pro Stock. It's certainly great to have won, and we definitely enjoyed taking home the trophy, but that's not where we want to stop. That win is driving me even harder, and we're going to do everything we can to keep it going in Gainesville."
As the traditional East Coast drag racing season-opener, the ACDelco Gatornationals draws fans from all over the country, filling the stands to capacity and creating an atmosphere unlike any other on the circuit. In addition, Gainesville Raceway, site of this weekend's event, has been the site of some of the sport's most dramatic moments, with a racing surface fully capable of delivering record performances. It is truly a dynamic combination, making it a win every driver wants on his or her racing resume. For the Johnson-led crew, the stakes are raised even higher by the fact that the name on the side of their race car matches that of the event’s title sponsor.
"The Gators have always been one of the premiere races on the NHRA POWERade tour, and having ACDelco as the title sponsor only adds to that," said Johnson. "As they do at every race they sponsor, ACDelco has numerous activities going on throughout the weekend, including the start of their Drive to Win sweepstakes where fans can enter at acdelco.com to win prizes whenever we win a race, so we'd like nothing better than to be in the winner's circle on Sunday night.
"Gainesville Raceway is a fun place to race. When you roll through the gates, you can feel the electricity. We have one win there in 2003, and were the runners-up in 1999, but the biggest thrill comes from the thousands of fans who pack the place.
"As long as the temperatures stay down and the sun doesn't attack the track, the racing surface isn't too bad. If Mother Nature cooperates, it should be a fast track this weekend, so we'll have to be on our game. Fortunately, we have a good mix of people on both my dad's GM Performance Parts and my ACDelco teams at the moment, with absolutely no bad apples. Everyone is working together really well, and having fun doing it. Hopefully, we can keep things going our way."
For more information on Kurt Johnson, ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit www.acdelco.com.
Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals edition:
1 – KJ Gainesville Raceway wins, which came in 2003
2 – Gatornationals Final Round Appearances, coming in 1999 & 2003
5 – Different types of car that KJ has raced at Firebird Raceway (Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Firebird, Chevrolet Camaro, Cavalier & Cobalt)
6.613 – KJ's career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
11 – Top half qualifying starts for Kurt in Gainesville, where his average starting position is 7.0
13 – a) Previous KJ Gainesville Raceway starts, dating back to his rookie debut in 1993.
b) Consecutive years in which KJ has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
18 – KJ Gainesville round wins, versus 12 losses for a .600 win percentage
209.26 - KJ's career best top speed (in mph) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond, VA
2003 – Year of KJ's only Gainesville Raceway win, when he qualified third and defeated Mike Edwards, Mark Whisnant, Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin.
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 16: Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 17: Two qualifying sessions at 12 noon & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 18: Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage:
Qualifying: Sunday, March 18: 1:00 – 3:00 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 18: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
NHRA Race Day: Sunday, March 18: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
posted by David @ 12:02 AM
<< Home