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Sugar Hill, Ga., March 28, 2007 – By its very nature, the racing world is at its best when there are cars on the track. Whether making laps at Martinsville or rocketing down the quarter-mile at Houston Raceway Park both racers and fans alike will be happiest when competition resumes this weekend. However, for those involved in the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston , TX , there will be a natural reticence due to the tragic events of a week ago, where a testing accident claimed the life of young Funny Car star Eric Medlen.
Although acknowledging a sense of reluctance while preparing for this weekend’s event, Kurt Johnson noted an equally strong motivation based the ACDelco Cobalt crew’s responsibility to their sponsors, the fans, and even their departed comrade’s memory to ensure that the fourth stop on the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule proceed as planned.
“Our sport has suffered a tremendous loss, and I’m sure there are a few of us who would rather not be racing this weekend,” said Johnson. “There is no doubt that Eric Medlen will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him, and we will be keeping his family as well as the John Force Racing team in our thoughts.
“However, I believe it would be a disservice to his memory if this weekend’s race was not contested as planned. Drag racing is not only a sport, it is also a business, the way we earn a living. There are many people who are depending on us to be in Houston , from sponsors who will be hosting hospitality events to the fans who have planned their vacations around this race.
“Therefore, our ACDelco Cobalt crew will be at Houston Raceway Park on Friday ready to race. Our hearts may be heavy, but the best way I can see to honor Eric is to go out and put on a great display of the sport he loved.”
For more information on Kurt Johnson, ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit Redirecting.
Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals edition:
2 – KJ Houston Raceway Park wins, which came in 1999 & 2003
3 – HRP Final Round Appearances, coming in 1999, 2002 & 2003
6.613 – KJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond , VA
13 – Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
15 – Top half qualifying starts for KJ in Baytown , where his average starting position is 5.47
18 – KJ Baytown starts, dating back to his rookie season in 1993
24 – KJ elimination round wins at HRP, versus 16 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 most recent Houston Raceway Park win, when he qualified second and defeated Terry Adams, Ron Krisher, Jim Yates and Scott Geoffrion.
KJ Sees Racing as Best Way to Honor Fallen Star
ACDelco Cobalt crew head to Houston Raceway Park saddened yet motivated
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 28, 2007 – By its very nature, the racing world is at its best when there are cars on the track. Whether making laps at Martinsville or rocketing down the quarter-mile at Houston Raceway Park both racers and fans alike will be happiest when competition resumes this weekend. However, for those involved in the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston , TX , there will be a natural reticence due to the tragic events of a week ago, where a testing accident claimed the life of young Funny Car star Eric Medlen.
Although acknowledging a sense of reluctance while preparing for this weekend’s event, Kurt Johnson noted an equally strong motivation based the ACDelco Cobalt crew’s responsibility to their sponsors, the fans, and even their departed comrade’s memory to ensure that the fourth stop on the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule proceed as planned.
“Our sport has suffered a tremendous loss, and I’m sure there are a few of us who would rather not be racing this weekend,” said Johnson. “There is no doubt that Eric Medlen will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him, and we will be keeping his family as well as the John Force Racing team in our thoughts.
“However, I believe it would be a disservice to his memory if this weekend’s race was not contested as planned. Drag racing is not only a sport, it is also a business, the way we earn a living. There are many people who are depending on us to be in Houston , from sponsors who will be hosting hospitality events to the fans who have planned their vacations around this race.
“Therefore, our ACDelco Cobalt crew will be at Houston Raceway Park on Friday ready to race. Our hearts may be heavy, but the best way I can see to honor Eric is to go out and put on a great display of the sport he loved.”
For more information on Kurt Johnson, ACDelco and the Drive to Win Sweepstakes, please visit Redirecting.
Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team By the Numbers – O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals edition:
2 – KJ Houston Raceway Park wins, which came in 1999 & 2003
3 – HRP Final Round Appearances, coming in 1999, 2002 & 2003
6.613 – KJ’s career best elapsed time (in seconds) recorded in October 2006 in Richmond , VA
13 – Consecutive years in which Kurt has won at least one national event, the longest active streak in Pro Stock.
15 – Top half qualifying starts for KJ in Baytown , where his average starting position is 5.47
18 – KJ Baytown starts, dating back to his rookie season in 1993
24 – KJ elimination round wins at HRP, versus 16 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 most recent Houston Raceway Park win, when he qualified second and defeated Terry Adams, Ron Krisher, Jim Yates and Scott Geoffrion.
