Thursday, May 15, 2003 | 9:51 a.m.
Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at [email protected] or (702) 259-4089.
Since he burst onto the racing scene in 1993, Kurt Johnson has distinguished himself as one of the top drivers in the NHRA Pro Stock category.
He finished second in points that season and was the NHRA Rookie of the Year. He since has posted 26 career victories and holds the Pro Stock national speed record at 205.57 mph.
Now, Johnson wants a championship to complete his racing resume.
Johnson, the son of six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, twice has finished second in points and said he believes this season may be his best shot at finally capturing that elusive title.
"This is by far the best overall package I've ever had," Johnson said. "From the car to the crew and everything in between, it just clicks. The team chemistry is the best I've had and it's showing in our performance."
And how. Johnson has won three of the first seven events this season and holds a 53-point lead in the category going into this weekend's K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
"As drivers, we always love the cars that win races," he said. "So in that case, yeah, it's a great car. We can't wait to replace the racecars that can't seem to find their way to winner's circle."
Although he has come close to winning a championship twice, Johnson remains philosophical about his long-awaited title.
"It just hasn't been my time yet," he said. "Maybe it will be my time this year. I figure if I can win some more races where I haven't won in the past, like Gainesville and Bristol, that will go a long way toward the championship.
"I was also runner-up (in April) at Las Vegas, where I hadn't been in a final before. It all adds up."
Neither Johnson advanced to the finals earlier this season at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at Palm Mortuary-Jones. The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Other winners included Alfred Sweeting (pro), Roger Keller (Street), Leo Shaver (Motorcycle) and Bill Dudley (Sport Compact).
In Junior Dragster competition, Kyle Glenn of Kingman, Ariz., won the Thunder Division, Ty Sanders of Las Vegas won the Lightning Division and Nick Marchese captured the Rookies Division.
There will be no racing this weekend at The Strip.
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