Brainerd: Kurt Johnson Friday notes

Fourth at the Brainerd Qualifying Midpoint, KJ Targets Further Improvement on Saturday

Looking at the results from the first day of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, one would think Kurt Johnson would be pleased by his ACDelco Cobalt's performance at Brainerd International Raceway. After all, he was among the best in each of Friday's twin time trials, with his 6.710-second, 206.39 mph effort in the evening session placing him fourth midway through the qualifying procedure.

However, in a tight race for the top spot in the highly competitive Pro Stock category and with three of his rivals ahead of him, the Minnesota-born racer immediately began working on finding a way to pick up the pace on Saturday, with numerous areas targeted.

"We were consistent today, but just not quick enough. For example, we were two hundredths behind the quickest time to the 330 (foot mark) and three hundredths off at the quarter-mile, so we definitely have our work cut out for us. It all comes down to making the right calls on our ACDelco Cobalt's tune-up.

"We had made numerous changes after the first session, and somehow ended up flipping the problem areas. We were terrible down low tonight, where we had been strong in the first session, and fast at the finish line, which is where we were off earlier. All we need to do is take the strong parts from each run and put them together. We know what we need to do -- all we have to do is execute, so we'll work on it tonight and be ready tomorrow."

-credit: j2r