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Sugar Hill, Ga., April 5, 2008 – The NHRA’s Pro Stock category is arguably the most competitive in all of motorsports. Every race, the “factory hot rods” represent the largest contingent of the four professional classes, where an average of 25 cars compete for one of sixteen starting spots with entire fields often covered by a few hundredths of a second. These razor-thin battles continue in final eliminations, featuring cars racing as if welded together with the difference between winning and losing measured in ten thousandths of a second.
Therefore, every team knows that in order to be successful, every aspect of their operation must perform at its very best, from the race car to the crew and driver. As one of the top contenders in Pro Stock throughout his 16-year career, ACDelco Cobalt racer Kurt Johnson is well aware of the demands of competition, and includes a strict physical regimen as part of his racing routine.
“With the competition as tight as it is in Pro Stock, everything comes into play, making the driver’s performance just as important as that of the engine,” said Johnson. “We may only be in the car for a few minutes at a time, but there are other demands put on us. For example, since we work on our cars, this includes dealing with a variety of weather conditions, from the cold in the early part of the season to the extreme heat of summer.
“There’s also a lot of physical labor involved back at the shop getting both my ACDelco Cobalt and Dad’s (six-time champion Warren Johnson) GM Performance Parts GXP ready to race, from building motors and transmissions to working on the chassis. You’re always on your feet, and there are no assembly lines or conveyor belts to get things like cylinder heads or intake manifolds from one end of the shop to the other, so everyone on the team has to be in pretty good shape.
“That’s why I include an extensive workout as part of my routine, whether we’re racing or not. After all, if you can’t stay sharp both physically and mentally, you’re just opening the door for someone else, and I’m not about to do that.”
Any questions as to KJ’s commitment to physical fitness are quickly answered by a look at the lower level in his Buford, GA home. Featuring a complete assortment of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment to rival that of any gym, it allows the second-generation racer to easily tailor his workouts to fit his hectic schedule. In addition, just as a teammate on the track helps to elevate one’s performance, Johnson’s efforts benefit from the presence of a training partner – his wife, Kathy, who also ensures the family maintains a healthy diet. As KJ sees it, just like finding horsepower or hitting the right set-up, it’s all part of building a winning program.
“We have everything at the house we need when it comes to working out,” said Johnson. “From an elliptical trainer and Lifecycle to a Pacific Fitness full weight gym set, we are ready to go. Three to four times a week, I’ll start off with about 40 minutes of cardiovascular exercise to get going before moving over to my weight training routine.
“I’m also fortunate that my wife Kathy is into physical fitness, and keeps herself in great shape. She makes sure we eat right, with a low-fat diet that includes plenty of protein and vegetables. She also has an incredible workout routine, to where I really have to work just to keep up with her. As anyone will tell you, it helps to have a workout partner. I guess you could call her my inspiration.
“Still, even though I stay fit for myself as much as I do for our racing program, there is no denying it helps me stay focused. After all, just like the race car, a body is a machine that needs to be properly maintained. If that one extra repetition I do during my workout helps us put our ACDelco Cobalt in the winner’s circle, it’s well worth it.”
Physical Fitness a Key Element in KJ’s Race Program
ACDelco Cobalt racer maintains strict regimen throughout the year
Sugar Hill, Ga., April 5, 2008 – The NHRA’s Pro Stock category is arguably the most competitive in all of motorsports. Every race, the “factory hot rods” represent the largest contingent of the four professional classes, where an average of 25 cars compete for one of sixteen starting spots with entire fields often covered by a few hundredths of a second. These razor-thin battles continue in final eliminations, featuring cars racing as if welded together with the difference between winning and losing measured in ten thousandths of a second.
Therefore, every team knows that in order to be successful, every aspect of their operation must perform at its very best, from the race car to the crew and driver. As one of the top contenders in Pro Stock throughout his 16-year career, ACDelco Cobalt racer Kurt Johnson is well aware of the demands of competition, and includes a strict physical regimen as part of his racing routine.
“With the competition as tight as it is in Pro Stock, everything comes into play, making the driver’s performance just as important as that of the engine,” said Johnson. “We may only be in the car for a few minutes at a time, but there are other demands put on us. For example, since we work on our cars, this includes dealing with a variety of weather conditions, from the cold in the early part of the season to the extreme heat of summer.
“There’s also a lot of physical labor involved back at the shop getting both my ACDelco Cobalt and Dad’s (six-time champion Warren Johnson) GM Performance Parts GXP ready to race, from building motors and transmissions to working on the chassis. You’re always on your feet, and there are no assembly lines or conveyor belts to get things like cylinder heads or intake manifolds from one end of the shop to the other, so everyone on the team has to be in pretty good shape.
“That’s why I include an extensive workout as part of my routine, whether we’re racing or not. After all, if you can’t stay sharp both physically and mentally, you’re just opening the door for someone else, and I’m not about to do that.”
Any questions as to KJ’s commitment to physical fitness are quickly answered by a look at the lower level in his Buford, GA home. Featuring a complete assortment of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment to rival that of any gym, it allows the second-generation racer to easily tailor his workouts to fit his hectic schedule. In addition, just as a teammate on the track helps to elevate one’s performance, Johnson’s efforts benefit from the presence of a training partner – his wife, Kathy, who also ensures the family maintains a healthy diet. As KJ sees it, just like finding horsepower or hitting the right set-up, it’s all part of building a winning program.
“We have everything at the house we need when it comes to working out,” said Johnson. “From an elliptical trainer and Lifecycle to a Pacific Fitness full weight gym set, we are ready to go. Three to four times a week, I’ll start off with about 40 minutes of cardiovascular exercise to get going before moving over to my weight training routine.
“I’m also fortunate that my wife Kathy is into physical fitness, and keeps herself in great shape. She makes sure we eat right, with a low-fat diet that includes plenty of protein and vegetables. She also has an incredible workout routine, to where I really have to work just to keep up with her. As anyone will tell you, it helps to have a workout partner. I guess you could call her my inspiration.
“Still, even though I stay fit for myself as much as I do for our racing program, there is no denying it helps me stay focused. After all, just like the race car, a body is a machine that needs to be properly maintained. If that one extra repetition I do during my workout helps us put our ACDelco Cobalt in the winner’s circle, it’s well worth it.”
