Anderson Secures Berth in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2015 – Raceday at the 28th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals was very productive for Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson. Although he did not see as many win lights as he had hoped, the driver of the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro accomplished something mighty in the first round when he reeled in enough points to clinch a spot in the 2015 Countdown to the Championship. The six-race playoffs will begin in Charlotte in September.
The position is even more treasured for Anderson as he missed the Countdown last year after sitting out the first five races as he recovered from heart surgery. This season the four-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion is in a far better position and is leading the points as the tour leaves Sonoma.
Anderson took over the points lead in Norwalk when he won the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, and he has held it ever since. He continued to prove that he has a powerful racecar with his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro in the Sonoma first round with a wicked 6.502-second pass at 211.99 that would stand as low elapsed time of raceday. In the other lane for his powerful run was Pro Stock newcomer Alex Laughlin, who was 6.556, 211.76 at the finish line.
In the second round, Anderson again proved the power of his Summit Racing Camaro with the second-best run of the round, a 6.518, 211.86. Unfortunately, his starting line reaction time was an uncharacteristic .052 to opponent Jonathan Gray’s .016. Gray got the win on a holeshot with a 6.533, 210.54.
“I just didn’t do my job, and you can’t have that in this class,” said Anderson. “But the great news is that we did clinch our spot in the Countdown to the Championship. That’s a big difference from last year. There is no question about it. We’re having a great year with our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros, and we are thrilled.”
Since winning in Gainesville, Anderson has been a regular in the final round, and he looks to return next weekend in Seattle as the strenuous Western Swing winds down.
“My car seems to get better every weekend, and I have an opportunity to win every race,” said Anderson, who has four wins in seven final rounds already on his 2015 scorecard. “I need to get to Seattle quick to make amends for this weekend, because I know I have a good car and it’s up to me to match my car’s performance. There are so many positives right now with our program, and if you only have one thing to work on in Pro Stock, well you’re doing pretty good. It’s a tough category, but that’s why we love it. We love the challenge.”