KJ is Ready to Double Up in Reading
ACDelco Cobalt crew targets back-to-back wins
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/k_johnson.jpg" alt="k_johnson" align="right"borders="0"/>
Sugar Hill, Ga. , August 13, 2008 – Less than a week after claiming his 39th career victory in Brainerd , MN , ACDelco Cobalt racer Kurt Johnson will be back on the track in Reading , PA , tackling another tough Pro Stock field at the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals. With two thirds of the 2008 campaign in the books, it has been a productive season for the blue crew, with three wins in four final round appearances, a constant presence at or near the top of the points standings, and a secured position in the Countdown to One championship playoff.
However, as the straight-line set heads to southeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson knows there is still plenty of work to be done, starting with scoring consecutive wins for the fifth time in his career and reclaiming the top spot on the Pro Stock leaderboard.
“The entire ACDelco Cobalt crew is pumped up heading to Reading ,” said Johnson. “We’re looking to pick up right where we left off in Brainerd. It’s always good to have a shot at back-to-back wins, because it means you’ve already made it to the winner’s circle. We’ve already had two shots at it this year and each we’ve come up a bit shy. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but we have a really fast hot rod right now, and with everyone on the team doing their jobs, I like our chances for doubling up.”
Further fueling Johnson’s optimistic attitude is his record at Maple Grove Raceway, site of this weekend’s event. From his very first experience at the Berks County quarter-mile in 1993, when he qualified second and defeated his father Warren Johnson in the final round for his second NHRA national event win, KJ has been a solid performer in the Keystone State . Even when dealt a seemingly staggering blow at the ‘Grove, the team has responded.
For example, in 2006 a parachute failure sent KJ hurtling off the top end of the track, requiring substantial repairs prior to final eliminations. Undaunted, the Johnson-led crew worked tirelessly to make it to the line in time for the first round, coming back to record a competitive quarter-final finish. With such history in their favor, they are quietly confident about a return trip to the Reading winner’s circle.
“Historically, the ACDelco crew has had some great performances at Maple Grove ,” said Johnson. “There have been a couple of times where we had to do more work that we wanted, but even then, things have worked out fairly well. As long as we stay out of the sand, and the rain stays away, we should be fine.
“We’re excited to go to Reading . It’s a good place to race, with a decent track, and it’s surrounded by all those trees that help these 500 cubic-inch engines breathe and create that distinctive echo every time a car makes a run.
“The best thing, however, is how enthusiastic the fans are about Pro Stock. They’re excited to see these naturally-aspirated, gas-burning monsters fly down the quarter-mile side by side, and we really enjoy putting on a show for them. Hopefully, we can reward them by staying headed in the right direction, qualifying well, going four rounds so we can keep working on regaining the top spot. That’s our goal.”
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Chevy Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – Toyo Tire Nationals edition:
3 - KJ career Reading wins entering this weekend, most recently in 2000.
4 – a) Times that KJ has won back-to-back races in his career, which he most recently accomplished in 2003, winning in Houston , TX and Bristol , TN.
b) Career final round appearances by KJ at the Pennsylvania quarter-mile coming into this weekend, with his most recent coming last year, when he was the runner-up to David Connolly.
5.846 – KJ’s average starting position in Reading in his previous 13 starts.
6 – Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by Kurt in his previous 13 Maple Grove starts.
6.581 – KJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded this past May in Madison , IL .
9 – Top half starts by Kurt at Maple Grove Raceway (in 13 prior starts)
10 – Number of times in his career that KJ had advanced to at least the final round in the race following a win.
14 - Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
15 – KJ Reading appearances coming into this event, dating back to his rookie season in 1993.
23 – KJ Maple Grove Raceway round wins in his 13 prior starts, versus 10 losses for a .697 win percentage
209.92 - KJ’s career best top speed (in mph) recorded last month in Seattle , WA .
ACDelco Cobalt crew targets back-to-back wins
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/k_johnson.jpg" alt="k_johnson" align="right"borders="0"/>
Sugar Hill, Ga. , August 13, 2008 – Less than a week after claiming his 39th career victory in Brainerd , MN , ACDelco Cobalt racer Kurt Johnson will be back on the track in Reading , PA , tackling another tough Pro Stock field at the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals. With two thirds of the 2008 campaign in the books, it has been a productive season for the blue crew, with three wins in four final round appearances, a constant presence at or near the top of the points standings, and a secured position in the Countdown to One championship playoff.
However, as the straight-line set heads to southeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson knows there is still plenty of work to be done, starting with scoring consecutive wins for the fifth time in his career and reclaiming the top spot on the Pro Stock leaderboard.
“The entire ACDelco Cobalt crew is pumped up heading to Reading ,” said Johnson. “We’re looking to pick up right where we left off in Brainerd. It’s always good to have a shot at back-to-back wins, because it means you’ve already made it to the winner’s circle. We’ve already had two shots at it this year and each we’ve come up a bit shy. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but we have a really fast hot rod right now, and with everyone on the team doing their jobs, I like our chances for doubling up.”
Further fueling Johnson’s optimistic attitude is his record at Maple Grove Raceway, site of this weekend’s event. From his very first experience at the Berks County quarter-mile in 1993, when he qualified second and defeated his father Warren Johnson in the final round for his second NHRA national event win, KJ has been a solid performer in the Keystone State . Even when dealt a seemingly staggering blow at the ‘Grove, the team has responded.
For example, in 2006 a parachute failure sent KJ hurtling off the top end of the track, requiring substantial repairs prior to final eliminations. Undaunted, the Johnson-led crew worked tirelessly to make it to the line in time for the first round, coming back to record a competitive quarter-final finish. With such history in their favor, they are quietly confident about a return trip to the Reading winner’s circle.
“Historically, the ACDelco crew has had some great performances at Maple Grove ,” said Johnson. “There have been a couple of times where we had to do more work that we wanted, but even then, things have worked out fairly well. As long as we stay out of the sand, and the rain stays away, we should be fine.
“We’re excited to go to Reading . It’s a good place to race, with a decent track, and it’s surrounded by all those trees that help these 500 cubic-inch engines breathe and create that distinctive echo every time a car makes a run.
“The best thing, however, is how enthusiastic the fans are about Pro Stock. They’re excited to see these naturally-aspirated, gas-burning monsters fly down the quarter-mile side by side, and we really enjoy putting on a show for them. Hopefully, we can reward them by staying headed in the right direction, qualifying well, going four rounds so we can keep working on regaining the top spot. That’s our goal.”
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Chevy Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – Toyo Tire Nationals edition:
3 - KJ career Reading wins entering this weekend, most recently in 2000.
4 – a) Times that KJ has won back-to-back races in his career, which he most recently accomplished in 2003, winning in Houston , TX and Bristol , TN.
b) Career final round appearances by KJ at the Pennsylvania quarter-mile coming into this weekend, with his most recent coming last year, when he was the runner-up to David Connolly.
5.846 – KJ’s average starting position in Reading in his previous 13 starts.
6 – Number of finishes in the semifinals or better by Kurt in his previous 13 Maple Grove starts.
6.581 – KJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded this past May in Madison , IL .
9 – Top half starts by Kurt at Maple Grove Raceway (in 13 prior starts)
10 – Number of times in his career that KJ had advanced to at least the final round in the race following a win.
14 - Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
15 – KJ Reading appearances coming into this event, dating back to his rookie season in 1993.
23 – KJ Maple Grove Raceway round wins in his 13 prior starts, versus 10 losses for a .697 win percentage
209.92 - KJ’s career best top speed (in mph) recorded last month in Seattle , WA .
