nderson Continues to Drive with Determination in Search of Victory
Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 2, 2014 – As usual, Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson was on his game in Las Vegas at this weekend’s 14th annual NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The driver of the white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro out of the Ken Black Racing stable of Pro Stockers envisioned a final-round with teammate Jason Line, the incoming points leader, but their plan was curtailed and the championship chase will continue in two weeks at the NHRA Finals in Pomona.
Qualified in the No. 10 position at a racetrack where the KB Racing team has a very strong history of success, Anderson drew rookie contender Jonathan Gray in the first round of eliminations. Their meeting would be the fourth of the season, with Anderson winning their first match and Gray securing the win light in the two that followed. This time, both drivers were dialed in and tuned up, and Anderson launched with a swift and serious .008-second reaction time. Gray challenged with a .002 but could not muster the power, and Anderson crossed the finish line first with a 6.641 at 208.65 mph to his opponent’s 6.855, 198.35.
“That was a good, good race,” said Anderson. “The kid is doing a great job of driving, and for a rookie year, you have to take your hat off to him. You know what you’re in for when you go up against him and you really have to dig down, and we both did. We both left the starting line well, but apparently he had some trouble down track. I got lucky, because he had problems – or he would have probably won.”
Anderson scored an interesting match when he bested young Jonathan as his brother, Shane Gray, was waiting in the second round. Anderson continued his regular routine of leaving the starting line first and clocked a .034 to Gray’s .044. Although he was able to pick up some from the first round, it simply wasn’t quite enough. Gray got the win, 6.611, 208.26 to 6.638, 208.55.
“I just got flat outrun,” said Anderson. “We’re still fighting to find performance in my white car, and we keep pushing, but we aren’t there yet. We’ll go home and then go on to Pomona and keep looking for the performance. We know it’s there; we’re just struggling to bring it out right now. The quest continues. We don’t give up. We don’t quit. We’re still trying to find my win for the year, and there is one race left. It’s been one heck of a battle, and it’s going to be an interesting weekend in Pomona in two weeks. I have some homework to do, but hopefully we’ll show up there and run fast.”