Points leader Anderson wins two in a row with NHRA New England Nationals victory

EPPING, N.H., June 14, 2015 – There is certainly no denying that Greg Anderson is back, and this weekend at the 3rd annual NHRA New England Nationals, the four-time Pro Stock world champion and current points leader powered his red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to his second consecutive victory and the 77th win of his career. It was his third win of the season in his 122nd final round.

“We’re definitely on the upswing,” said Anderson, who lengthened his points lead with the win to 70 points over his nearest competitor. “It’s been awesome the last few months, ever since we brought this little red Summit Racing Chevy Camaro out at Gainesville. We took her all the way to victory circle there, and the performance of the car has gotten better every race we’ve gone to. Looking back at today and last weekend in Englishtown, I have made 16 so-close-to-perfect runs in a row. It’s awesome. This car is fun to drive. This is what you work for, what you push for. Our team has it going on right now, and I’m absolutely having a ball.”

In the first round of eliminations, No. 2 qualifier Anderson clocked a 6.515-second pass at 214.38 mph to Val Smeland’s 6.982, 158.84. With lane choice, Anderson advanced to a quarterfinals match with Drew Skillman and moved first with a .013-second reaction time that he carried to a 6.519, 214.11 win over his opponent’s 6.533, 213.84. The victory sent Anderson ahead to a semifinals match with Summit Racing teammate Jason Line. Anderson was again first to launch and first to the finish with a strong 6.516 at a powerful 214.42 to Line’s 6.533, 212.39.

The final round was a rematch of last week in Englishtown, and this time around the outcome was the same. Anderson and Allen Johnson came to the starting line to run for the money, and it was Anderson with the win light at the top end in his Summit Racing Camaro, 6.512 at a track-record setting 214.72 mph. Johnson clocked a 6.530, 213.50.

“I was very scared going into the final because AJ had gotten better every round today,” said Anderson. “And the final was the best run he made all day. You worry every time, but when you cross that finish line and that little light comes on, you want to jump right out of the seat, you want to put your fist through the windshield because you’re just so happy. It’s an incredible feeling to win. I just love it.

“I had a few tough years, but this year feels great. This trophy is why we do this. We devote our lives to this, we work so hard every day, we’re ‘ate up’ with it. We want to race, and we want to win – that’s everything to the Summit Racing team. I can’t thank my family enough for the support they give me and letting me go out and fulfill my dreams. This is a wonderful feeling, and it will never get old for me.”

With the win, Anderson claimed the 100th win for a Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro. The first win was scored by Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins in 1970, the first year of NHRA Pro Stock. Jenkins won the first two events of the season in a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro.

“That’s really something, and we’re honored to have that. This year feels like one of the most special of my career,” said Anderson. “I’ve had a good career and a lot of good fortune along the way with a lot of people who are responsible for the wins that I have. But personally, this just feels so good after the drought I’ve had the last few years. I couldn’t win a race, but now I have a second lease on life, and I realize how special it is to be racing at this level. I realize how important it is to make the most of this opportunity.

“I’m a lucky guy, and I have a great team behind me. Everyone is doing a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to go to the next race, and the next, and the next. The Summit Racing team is giving me the best racecar I’ve had in forever.”