[coverattach=1]KENT, Wash., July 18, 2009 – Qualifying for the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals was completed today at Pacific Raceways. Kurt Johnson will start tomorrow's race in the No. 14 spot after driving his ACDelco Chevrolet to a 6.707 e.t. at 208.26 mph.
"We have a combination in the car that's been down this track for the last two years," Johnson said. "Our setup is just not liking it right now. That, along with a new motor combination – it shows being so much better on the dyno. Maybe it's so much better that we can't control it yet. Obviously the tires are on fire so we're going to have to make some major changes going into tomorrow. You hate to back up, but in situations like this, maybe that's what we need to do, back pedal a little bit."
Johnson has three victories at the Northwest Nationals including the first of his 39 career victories in 1993. Johnson also won here in 1999 and 2005, and he was runner-up in 1996 and '98.
The ACDelco driver will race No. 3 qualifier Greg Anderson in round one of eliminations on Sunday.
The 22nd annual Northwest Nationals on July 17 – 19 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., is the 14th race on the 24-event NHRA Full Throttle Series tour. ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, July 18. NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, will air at 11 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 19, on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature three hours of eliminations coverage beginning at 9 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 19.
"We have a combination in the car that's been down this track for the last two years," Johnson said. "Our setup is just not liking it right now. That, along with a new motor combination – it shows being so much better on the dyno. Maybe it's so much better that we can't control it yet. Obviously the tires are on fire so we're going to have to make some major changes going into tomorrow. You hate to back up, but in situations like this, maybe that's what we need to do, back pedal a little bit."
Johnson has three victories at the Northwest Nationals including the first of his 39 career victories in 1993. Johnson also won here in 1999 and 2005, and he was runner-up in 1996 and '98.
The ACDelco driver will race No. 3 qualifier Greg Anderson in round one of eliminations on Sunday.
The 22nd annual Northwest Nationals on July 17 – 19 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., is the 14th race on the 24-event NHRA Full Throttle Series tour. ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, July 18. NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, will air at 11 a.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 19, on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature three hours of eliminations coverage beginning at 9 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 19.
