Anderson Plans to Continue Resurgence with Topeka Win
 
Mooresville, N.C., May 15, 2013 – Greg Anderson and the Summit Racing team continued to exhibit signs of resurgence last weekend at the weather-delayed Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, and with just a short pause in the action before the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, the championship-caliber Pro Stock team plans to stay right on course.
 
This weekend’s event in Topeka, Kan., just six days after leaving Atlanta, marks a return to a facility where the KB Racing crew dominated from 2003 to 2007 with three low-qualifier awards and four event titles. The only Pro Stock competitor to have won more in Topeka is Warren Johnson, who holds the record with five victories.
 
Although Team Summit experienced a dry spell in Kansas for several years, last season was a return to form, and the now 74-time national event winner narrowly missed starting from the No. 1 position and powered his Summit Racing-backed doorslammer all the way to the final round from the No. 2 spot. Although he was stopped just short of the win, Anderson made an impact as he set top speed of the meet at 211.30 mph and his Summit Racing teammate Jason Line recorded low e.t. of the event with a 6.566, both of which were Heartland Park Topeka track records.
 
“We’re obviously hoping to build on what we did there in Topeka last year and take it one round further,” said Anderson, currently tied for eighth in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings. “Last year, the KB Racing team really put our noses to the grindstone and figured out what we were doing wrong, and we ran very well because of that. We should have won the race, but we made a mistake in the final and shook the tires a little bit. We definitely had the strongest cars out there, though, and we feel like we left one on the table.
 
“Thankfully, we know how to run fast there again, and we’re on an upswing with both of our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros this year. We certainly think we should be able to go to Topeka and come away with the trophy.”
 
The vast Heartland Park Topeka facility provides plenty of space for the competitors to comfortably set up camp, and the facility has historically been the site of record-setting performances in some categories. It has also, however, been recognized as a venue where unpredictable weather can be a deciding factor. After a series of rain-plagued events this year, NHRA drivers are hoping to catch a break with a replay of last season’s picture-perfect weekend in Kansas.
 
“Topeka is definitely the King of Crazy Weather,” said Anderson. “You never know what you’ll get there, if you’re going to get twisters or record-setting temperatures, so it’s definitely exciting. We’ve had a little of everything and been able to run well, so we have a lot of confidence that we can play with whatever cards Mother Nature deals us.”
 
At this time last season Anderson had three wins in five final round appearances, and although the 2012 stats comparatively look better on paper, the four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion feels strongly that he is in a much better position now than he was then.
 
“To be honest with you, I have a lot more confidence in my car right now, especially after Atlanta and the test sessions we’ve had,” said Anderson. “I really think we’ve turned a corner. My car is going to be good, and it keeps getting better each weekend. At this time last year, I didn’t feel like we had a complete handle on our racecar, but this Summit Racing Chevy Camaro is adapting to the different conditions that we have to race in, and we’re closer now than we have been in a long time to making good, consistent runs, time after time.
 
“I’m really, really hungry for a win. The win that my teammate Jason Line got a couple of weeks ago in Houston really helped this team. We’ve been working very hard ever since then, and it gave the guys a little more drive. It’s time that I find my way back to victory lane. I believe I still know how to do it, but I need to prove it to myself. I’m overdue, but nobody is going to hand you one of these things. You need to go out and earn it, and that’s what I plan to do this weekend.”