Anderson Sees Opportunity in Seattle’s Northwest Nationals
Mooresville, N.C., July 30, 2014 – Greg Anderson entered the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season at a disadvantage after missing the first five races of the season, but he has steadily chipped away at the distance separating him from a position in the prestigious top 10. This weekend, as the tour hits Seattle for the 27th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, Anderson is closer than ever and less than one round outside of 10th with three races to go before the Countdown to the Championship field is set.
Anderson’s Summit Racing teammate Jason Line secured a berth in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs last week to complement his Sonoma victory, and the power of the KB Racing team is evident. Line set low elapsed time and top speed of the meet, and Anderson qualified a season-high fourth. On raceday, Anderson used one of the quickest runs of the round to advance, and he missed the win light by just .007-second in round two. There is no denying the determination of the Summit Racing team.
“Right now the battle is really between Jonathan Gray and us, because last week V. Gaines did his job and moved up in the points, and we have fairly even cars. It’s going to come down to the end,” said Anderson. “There is really only one spot up for grabs right now, and he sure wants it – but so do we. Badly. The whole team wants it, and we didn’t want to go home and rest between last race and this one coming up, we wanted to get right back out there and fight for it. We’re glad to have another opportunity this week in Seattle, and the Summit Racing Camaros are running very, very well. Jason’s win last weekend was very good for us as a team, and the best thing that could happen now is to get back to the winner’s circle with my car and put this points deal behind us.”
Returning to the sea level Pacific Raceways places Anderson in a position to achieve; he has a good record in Seattle with three victories in four final round appearances, and last season he logged a top half qualifying effort and a semifinals finish there. Heading into this season’s Northwest Nationals, Anderson has a respectable scorecard that includes two trips to the final round and one of the best driving reputations in the category as a racer who regularly leaves the starting line first.
“We like all of those trees in Seattle because they provide oxygen for these naturally aspirated engines we run in our hot rods,” said Anderson. “The racing surface can be a challenge when the sun comes out, but it’s certainly one that we’ve mastered before and one that we’re up for as a team. I look to Seattle to be a good race for Team Summit, and I hope it’s the place where we can get into the top 10 and have a fighting chance for that big trophy at the end of the season.”
Prior to the trip to Seattle, Anderson and Line are spending two days in Reno, Nev., for Hot August Nights, a tremendous event that brings thousands of vintage cars together with a classic rock and roll soundtrack. The annual nostalgic festivities are a favored destination point for sponsor Summit Racing Equipment, and the timing is finally perfect for their Pro Stock drivers to take in the activities, meet fans, and soak up the car culture that resides at the heart of their respective racing careers.
“Hot August Nights is something Jason and I have both been looking forward to, and it’s a really neat deal to be part of. It’s something we’ve never been able to do, and to go down there and represent Summit Racing is going to be a very good time,” said Anderson. “We have had a lot of really neat opportunities over the years being associated with Summit Racing, and this is another one for us. I’m sure we’ll bring back some good stories and make some memories. It’s a great start to what will hopefully be a really great weekend for us.”