NHRA
Kurt Johnson Phoenix Review
The Kurt Chronicles: NHRA Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals Results KURT JOHNSON TAKES PRO STOCK POINTS LEAD WITH PHOENIX VICTORY Phoenix; Feb. 28, 1999 - Kurt Johnson followed his father's footsteps to the winner's circle at Firebird ...
Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Kurt Chronicles: NHRA Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals Results
KURT JOHNSON TAKES PRO STOCK POINTS LEAD WITH PHOENIX VICTORY
Phoenix; Feb. 28, 1999 - Kurt Johnson followed his father's footsteps to the winner's circle at Firebird International Raceway today, notching his 13th career national event victory at the CSK Nationals. After defending champion Warren Johnson was upset in the second round of eliminations, Kurt took charge and scored the Johnson family's second consecutive victory at Firebird.
Johnson's first win of the season propelled him to the top spot in the championship standings for the first time in his career. Kurt scored a crucial decision over points-leader Jeg Coughlin, Jr. in the semi-final round. He then handed the Coughlin clan its second defeat of the day when he beat Jeg's older brother, Troy, in the final, 6.970/197.97 mph to 8.095/120.38 mph.
"We tested in Tucson before this race, and what we learned there paid off," Kurt commented. "We had to contend with a hot, slick race track today, and my car was absolutely flawless."
Kurt's ACDelco Camaro was the picture of consistency on the notoriously fickle Arizona asphalt. K.J. was the second quickest qualifier (behind his father) at 6.934/198.79 mph, marks that were quicker and faster than the track records set by the elder Johnson last year. Kurt recorded the quickest elapsed time in all four rounds of eliminations, running 6.95, 6.99, 7.00, and 6.97. He clocked the second fastest speed on race day, stopping the timers at 198.76 mph; only Warren's GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac was faster. The 35-year-old driver was equally impressive, recording reaction times that ranged between .439 and .460 seconds in four rounds of racing.
"The car spun the tires hard in the semi-final, but we didn't overreact," Kurt confided. "We had a winning combination. We changed the clutch to help the car go down a loose race track. I think we have a hot rod that can be a contender for the rest of the season."
The victory helped to erase memories of his 1993 crash at Firebird in his second professional race. "You always remember days like this," Kurt noted, "but I was probably more spectacular in '93!"
KURT JOHNSON RACE RESULTS: Qualifying: Kurt Johnson qualified No. 2 at 6.934/198.79 mph
Eliminations: Round 1: Kurt Johnson (6.957/198.76) defeated Ron Krisher (7.038/195.90) Round 2: Kurt Johnson (6.999/197.45) defeated Steve Schmidt (7.398/151.80) Semi-Final: Kurt Johnson (7.008/197.39) defeated Jeg Coughlin (7.018/197.39) Final Round: Kurt Johnson (6.970/197.97) defeated Troy Coughlin (8.095/120.38)
Low ET: Warren Johnson, 6.920 seconds (track record) Top Speed: Warren Johnson, 199.64 mph (track record)
POINTS RACE: (After 2 of 22 events) Driver Wins Points 1. Kurt Johnson 1 194 2. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. 1 188 3. Troy Coughlin 0 185 4. Warren Johnson 0 116 5. George Marnell 0 111
NEXT RACE: Mac Tools Gatornationals, March 18-21, Gainesville, Fla. TV: ESPN2, March 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Eastern - check local listings
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mission RND One Qualifying F-M Super Stock
Next article Mission Final Qualfying Order F-M Funny Car
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jeg Coughlin
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
NHRA
NHRA
Pomona II
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
Capps, Schumacher score their first wins of 2018
NHRA
NHRA
Bristol
Capps, Schumacher score their first wins of 2018
Can Millican start a winning streak?
NHRA
NHRA
Norwalk
Can Millican start a winning streak?
Latest news
Spy shots of 2027 NASCAR Ford Mustang testing at Charlotte, but what's different?
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
Spy shots of 2027 NASCAR Ford Mustang testing at Charlotte, but what's different?
Five key takeaways from F1's big African Grand Prix reveal in Rwanda
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 3 h
Five key takeaways from F1's big African Grand Prix reveal in Rwanda
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
Indy NXT
IndL Indy NXT 5 h
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 5 h
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe