Summit Racing Driver Greg Anderson wins NHRA Summernationals

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J., June 7, 2015 – Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has always been a favored facility for Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson, and this weekend his Englishtown success continued as he pulled off the trifecta. Anderson first powered to the No. 1 qualifier position, went on to take over the points lead with a semifinals victory on Sunday, and finished the weekend by winning the trophy at the 46th annual NHRA Summernationals. It was the sixth win at Raceway Park for Anderson, the Pro Stock driver with the most victories scored at the venerable racetrack.

“It’s been a great weekend,” said Anderson, who earned the 76th No. 1 qualifier award of his career on Saturday before scoring his 76th NHRA Pro Stock win on Sunday. “Our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was great right off the trailer. I mean, I made eight great runs in a row between qualifying and raceday. A chimpanzee could have driven my car today – it was just awesome. It’s been a long time since I’ve won here in Englishtown, and it’s good to be back. I hope to be back many, many times.

“Raceway Park has always been a great track for Pro Stock. The weather is always what we consider to be great conditions for making power for our factory hot rods, and all kinds of records have been set here. I can remember working for Warren and Kurt Johnson when Kurt ran the first six-second run at this place. I can remember exactly where I stood that night, how the weather was, and how I felt. We look forward to coming back here every year because you might get the chance to set a record – that’s just the way it is. This particular racetrack always fit into the KB Racing style. When we get the good power conditions, that’s when we seem to excel. And I have to mention that the support we get up here for Pro Stock, it really makes you feel good. All of the people up here in the Northeast love Pro Stock, and I just can’t thank them enough for it. It makes you feel proud to do what you do.”

Anderson got a .008-second head-start in his first-round meeting with Val Smeland, the 72nd different driver he has raced in eliminations. His powerful 6.493-second pass at 214.28 mph was easily enough to keep ahead of Smeland’s troubled 8.725, and it would hold as low elapsed time of eliminations. With lane choice over fellow KB Racing teammate Bo Butner, Anderson had no trouble making up the difference after Butner left the starting line first by .011. He powered ahead in his red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro for a 6.503, 214.11 to 6.549, 213.43 win.

In the semifinals, Anderson continued to flex the horsepower muscle as he recorded low e.t. of the round for the third consecutive run, clocking a 6.499, 214.14 to send V. Gaines home on a 6.531, 213.43.

With the points lead already in his possession, Mooresville, N.C.-based Anderson was fired up and ready to race Allen Johnson, a driver he has raced many times in the past and against whom he held a 39-18 advantage. In previous final rounds Johnson was 3-2 against Anderson, but on Sunday in Englishtown, the score was evened as Anderson grabbed a .031 to .041 starting line edge and never looked back. The win light flashed in Anderson’s lane with a 6.504, 214.31 to his opponent’s 6.537, 213.87.

“I say it all the time, and I’ll say it again – there is no win more important than the last win,” said Anderson. “Every win I find a way to get is the most important one I’ve ever had. That win is why we do this. It’s a great feeling when you’re able to accomplish it because it’s just so darn competitive in this class. It’s so hard to win, but that’s why you feel so fantastic when you are able to do it. We work so hard for it, and when you find your way to the winner’s circle – well, that’s everything you live for. I’m never trying to fake a smile when I get out there. Every win feels like the first. I hope I never lose that feeling or the gratitude I feel when I win.”

This season is shaping up to be one of Anderson’s best in a very long time. In addition to the monumental victory, the No. 1 qualifier award earned in Englishtown ended a dry spell that began after his most recent previous No. 1 earned at the Seattle race in 2011. Taking over the top spot in the Mello Yello Series standings was also something that the KB Racing-powered driver had long been missing; the last time Anderson held the points lead was midyear in 2012 at the Summit Racing NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.

“It’s going to be a great battle as we go forward, and I feel very good about our chances and our future – but it certainly isn’t going to be easy,” said Anderson. “The best part is that I truly believe I’ll be part of the championship chase this year, that I’ll be fighting at the end. I look forward to the battle.”