Anderson Makes Final Round, Moves into Top 10 at Northwest Nationals
KENT, Wash., August 3, 2014 – The NHRA Northwest Nationals was a very productive race for Greg Anderson and the Summit Racing team, and the efforts of the group as a whole equated to an all-Summit Racing final round, the first since 2012. For Greg Anderson as a driver, though, the high point was breaking into the top 10 in the NHRA Pro Stock standings for the first time this year with just two races remaining in the regular season.
“There is no pressure relieved, you can’t back off now; I have a very small lead, and we have two races left,” said No. 10 Anderson. “Anything can happen, and I still have to find a way to win a race. I want to win a race before the Countdown to the Championship starts. I want to feel like I’ve earned the position, and I know that this team is very capable of it. I was close today, and I felt like I had a great chance. I didn’t get it done, but there were a lot of positives this weekend. The list is long.”
Anderson qualified in the No. 5 position, already making a statement that he was here in Seattle on business. The 74-time national event winner automatically got the nod in the first round when Deric Kramer fouled out at the starting line. Anderson raced ahead with a 6.556 at 211.63 mph, the fastest speed of the round. With lane choice over Jeg Coughlin in round two, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Anderson and his Rob Downing-led crew made the right decision; it came down to a 6.571 win over Coughlin, whose parachutes came out early on the run. Anderson’s speed was a boisterous 211.30, again the fastest speed of the round.
Loss of lane choice proved inconsequential in the semifinals, as opponent Allen Johnson had mechanical troubles in the opposite lane, allowing Anderson an easy yet powerful win; his 6.586 at 210.90 in the white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was quickest and fastest of the round and good for lane choice over teammate Line in the final.
Line launched first but only by .005-second, and Anderson made the quicker pass but missed the win light by just .002-second. Line’s 6.611 at 210.67 defeated Anderson’s 6.608, 210.54.
“It was a great weekend,” said Anderson. “I have to find a way to do a little bit better, but for the KB Racing team and for Summit Racing, this was a great weekend. I’m disappointed that I didn’t win today, but Jason did his job. He did what we pay him to do – win races. I’ll get over it, and we really feel so positive leaving this race. I just feel good. I have one more hurdle to get over, but that long list of positives outweighs anything negative.”