Kurt Johnson to Cavalier in 2001

SUGAR HILL, Ga. - Kurt Johnson will carry ACDelco's red, white, and blue colors on a new Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 coupe in his quest to win the 2001 NHRA Pro Stock championship. Johnson has set a personal-best record with four victories in 20 races this season. With a smaller, more aerodynamic race car scheduled to debut at next year's season-opening NHRA AutoZone Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Johnson is confident that he will have the equipment to eclipse that record and capture his first NHRA title. "My 2001 ACDelco Cavalier Z24 should be a real rocketship," said Johnson. "We've been working on this project for almost a year. I'm not going to divulge any secrets, but the data from the GM Aerodynamics Laboratory indicates that the Cavalier will be a very slick race car. "I've enjoyed driving my Camaro Z28 since I joined the Chevrolet team in 1998," Johnson continued. "My ACDelco team and I have won nine NHRA national events and set the national elapsed time record. We've finished third in the championship in the last two years, and we're aiming for the runner-up spot in 2000. Pro Stock is the most competitive category in NHRA drag racing, and I think the new Cavalier Z24 will give us the edge we need to win the championship for ACDelco, GM Service Parts Operations, and Chevrolet." Johnson's 2001 Cavalier Z24 will have a narrower body and a longer wheelbase than the Camaro Z28 he is currently campaigning. "Pro Stock is all about horsepower, and it will take less horsepower to push the Cavalier through the air at 200 mph," Kurt explained. "The Cavalier will be the narrowest car I've driven in my career, and it should be a fun ride." While the body design will be new, Kurt's ACDelco sponsorship will be very familiar to thousands of NHRA drag racing fans. "ACDelco is pleased to be associated with a star like Kurt Johnson," said Bill Fitzgerald, manager of event marketing for GM Service Parts Operations. "Kurt is more than an accomplished driver; he has learned the business of motorsports from the ground up as a machinist, engine builder, and crew chief. He understands the technical side of racing and can help us develop and evaluate new products that will ultimately benefit ACDelco customers." "I'm proud to be part of the ACDelco team," said Johnson, the 37-year-old son of five-time NHRA champion Warren Johnson. "I have confidence in ACDelco products and the people at ACDelco who design, manufacture, and market them. Consistent products and consistent support are what ACDelco is all about." Johnson depends on ACDelco RAPIDFIRE Spark Plugs, ACDelco Oil Filters, and ACDelco Batteries to keep his record-setting GM engines running strong. "I plan to wear out the engine dyno this winter," Kurt declared. "If I can put another ten or 15 horsepower under that ACDelco logo on the hood, we'll be looking good in our new Cavalier."