The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Kurt Johnson Wins Second Straight U.S. Nationals

2 September 1997


        KURT JOHNSON WINS SECOND STRAIGHT U.S. NATIONALS
    K.J. Scores Sixth Consecutive Indy Win for Johnson Family

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis; Sept. 1, 1997 -- Kurt Johnson drove his ACDelco
Pontiac Firebird to his second straight U.S. Nationals Pro Stock
victory today at Indianapolis Raceway Park.  Kurt, the defending
U.S. Nationals champion, scored the sixth consecutive Indy win
for the Johnson family; his father Warren won four straight U.S.
Nationals titles in 1992-1995.

     "It's unbelievable!" Johnson declared.  "Who could think
that Dad would win here four years in a row, and then I would win
the last two.  If you're going to win a race, if you're going to
shine anywhere, this is the place to shine."

     Kurt's ACDelco Pontiac dominated the 43rd annual U.S.
Nationals, the oldest, richest, and most prestigious event on the
NHRA tour.  Kurt qualified No. 1 in Pro Stock, made the first
six-second Pro Stock pass at Indianapolis Raceway Park, set the
track elapsed time and top speed records, and scored his second
straight national event victory after on August 17 in Brainerd,
Minn.

     Kurt tallied his ninth career NHRA national event victory in
his 19th final-round appearance by defeating V. Gaines,
7.046/195.82 to 7.069/194.88.  The margin of victory was 16
thousandths of a second.

     Johnson qualified No. 1 at the U.S. Nationals with a
track-record elapsed time of 6.984 seconds.  Kurt's qualifying
run was the first six-second pass at Indianapolis Raceway Park;
he eclipsed the two-year-old track record set by his father
Warren at 7.040 seconds in 1995.  Kurt also set the IRP speed
mark at 197.49 mph.

     K.J. gained ground in the NHRA championship race, pulling to
within 16 points of his father.  Jim Yates leads with 1404
points, followed by W.J. with 1260 and Kurt with 1244 points.
Kurt will be aiming for his third straight national event victory
at the NHRA Keystone Nationals on September 11-14.

KURT JOHNSON RACE SUMMARY

QUALIFYING:  Kurt Johnson qualified No. 1 at 6.984/196.89

ELIMINATIONS:
Round 1:  Kurt Johnson (7.056/195.27) defeated David Nickens (7.104/194.13)
Round 2:  Kurt Johnson (7.091/195.69) defeated Ron Krisher (7.160/194.51)
Semi-Final:  Kurt Johnson (7.044/195.82) defeated Bruce Allen (7.078/195.01)
Final Round:  Kurt Johnson (7.046/195.82) defeated V. Gaines (7.069/194.88)

LOW ET:  Kurt Johnson  6.984 (track record) 
TOP SPEED:  Kurt Johnson  197.49 mph (track record)

PRO STOCK STANDINGS: 
(after 16 of 22 events)

   Driver         (Wins)  Pts    
-----------------------------
1. Jim Yates       (5)   1404 
2. Warren Johnson  (4)   1260 
3. Kurt Johnson    (2)   1244 
4. Bruce Allen            875 
5. Steve Schmidt          846