Anderson Determined to Turn First Round Victory for Summit Racing into Win
Event: 7th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Location: Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
Day/Date: Saturday, July 6, 2013
Qualifying for the 7th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals has concluded and Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is prepared to make his 303rd raceday start at an event that is very special to the entire team. The race in Norwalk, the 13th of 24 on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, bears the name of their title sponsor, and it takes place at one of the finest facilities on the tour, Summit Motorsports Park. Flying the Summit Racing banner on the door of his sleek white Chevrolet Camaro is an honor that Anderson does not take lightly.
“We want to do well here; we always come to Norwalk with the hope of really making the great folks at Summit Racing Equipment proud,” said Anderson, the No. 8 qualifier. “We’ve got both the Summit Racing Camaros in the field here, and now tomorrow we’ll take on the task of getting one of them to the winner’s circle.”
The first round will determine which of the two Team Summit steeds will have a shot at running for the trophy as Anderson and his teammate, Jason Line, will square off in the opening act for only the fifth time in a decade of racing together. Although it isn’t an ideal scenario – the perfect outcome at a Summit Racing-sponsored event is, of course, an all-Summit Racing final round and a guaranteed trophy for the group that has collectively amassed 104 national event wins – but the team is ready to make the most of what lies ahead. The outcome of the first round will determine who will face the No. 1 qualifier, Allen Johnson, who has a first-round bye in the 15-car field.
“We don’t care which car goes forward, as long as we learn something for second round,” said Anderson. “It’s going to be a tough one, so we need to learn all that we can first round so that we have a chance. We need to be sure that we go into that round and give the No. 1 qualifier something for his money.”
During qualifying, Anderson’s Summit Chevy was consistently a top-half car as he clicked off a 6.638, 6.644, 6.652 and a 6.667, each at over 208 mph. Although Anderson was solidly in the field throughout the first two days of the event in a car that is relatively new (he debuted the white Camaro in Bristol just last month), the Mooresville, N.C.-based driver had hoped for a loftier position from which to start.
“There is a certain level of frustration because even though we’re making gains, they’re just not happening fast enough for our comfort,” said Anderson. “But this is where we have to take a deep breath, calm down, and keep pecking away at it. The Summit Racing team has very high expectations for ourselves and there is a very good reason for that – we know just what we’re capable of.
“Tomorrow, we will make the most of that first round. The goal from there will be to get the best Summit Racing Camaro to the winner’s circle.”
