Anderson Enjoys Best Qualifying Performance of the Year in Brainerd
BRAINERD, Minn., August 17, 2013 – Qualifying is complete at Brainerd International Raceway and Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is enthusiastic and ready for raceday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals following the best string of qualifying passes he has made all season. Anderson, of nearby Duluth, Minn., will start from the No. 2 position – his best start since the Topeka race in mid-2012.
In the first session of qualifying, Anderson was a speedy 6.600 at 209.01 mph at the finish line and was second quickest for the session. The expeditious journey down the quarter-mile was just .007-second behind the No. 1 qualifier and was good for a pair of bonus qualifying points. After closing out the first day of the event with a 6.609 at 209.17 mph, Anderson came to the table on day two loaded for a remarkable 6.588 at 209.10 mph that was quickest of the round to generate three more bonus points. In the final session, Anderson was again among the quickest of the factory hot rods with a strong and solid 6.604, 208.97 that brought in another coveted bonus qualifying point.
“I think I’ve gotten more bonus points this weekend than I have all year,” said Anderson, who will race with Deric Kramer in the first round of eliminations. “We’ve had good qualifying sessions and made four really nice runs, so I’m excited and happy. We definitely made some ground. We had a good test this week and obviously that is showing. I think everyone on the Summit Racing team is happy that we are finally able to see some fruits of our labor. We’ve been working hard and haven’t had much to show for it, but we are doing a better job.
“We could have a great chance tomorrow of winning the race, and that means a lot to both Jason [Line, Summit Racing teammate] and I, to perform well at this racetrack that we love and to have a chance to win. If we continue to race smart and do the things we’re doing, we’ll have that chance. This was definitely the best group of four qualifying runs I’ve had all year, without a doubt.”
Anderson is no stranger to quick times in Brainerd; he was the No. 1 qualifier in 2004, 2006 and 2008. However, coming so close to grabbing the No. 1 spot this time around doesn’t leave the 74-time national event winner disappointed.
“I don’t look at it that way,” said Anderson, currently seventh in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings. “I’m more pleased than disappointed because we’ve gained so much, and I would accept this as a major step forward. If we can make gains in the next few weeks like we made this week, before we get to Indy and the Countdown, then we should be a serious player. The positive way outweighs that negative. We’re excited about tomorrow. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”