Anderson sets track record, nabs provisional pole on Friday at Midwest Nationals
MADISON, Ill., September 25, 2015 – The first day of qualifying for the 4th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals ended on a very bright note for Summit Racing Pro Stock campaigner Greg Anderson, but the whole day was an exceptional display of power and performance for the KB Racing driver. Anderson ended the day at the top of the qualifying order and picked up six valuable bonus points along the way.
In the first session of qualifying, Mooresville, N.C.-based Anderson blasted to a speedy 6.513-second pass at 213.27 mph to score three bonus marks as the quickest of the lot. He came back in the later session on Friday with a brilliant 6.492 at 213.20 mph that reset the Gateway Motorsports Park track record for elapsed time – a record previously held by his Summit Racing teammate, Jason Line. Three more bonus points were in Anderson’s hands. If the provisional pole is finalized by Anderson on Saturday, it will be the 79th No. 1 of his career and third in a row.
“It’s been a great day in St. Louis, and I’ll tell you what – I’ve always liked this racetrack,” said Anderson, a four-time finalist who has one previous win at the facility, which was earned in 2004. “This racetrack is great, and it seems to be right up Pro Stock’s alley. I’ve had a great car lately, and the crew is doing a fantastic job with my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro. It’s almost silly how fast it is, and wow, it’s sure enjoyable to drive. I’m having a ball; I just need to apply that to Sunday. I need to get some round wins and do a better job on raceday, but as far as qualifying goes, I couldn’t be happier.”
Anderson entered the NHRA Midwest Nationals in the No. 2 position in the Pro Stock points, and as the event is the second in the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs, the Summit Racing team is more focused than ever on making up the ground between second and first. So far, they are on a very positive course.
“It’s great that my little red Summit Racing Chevy is such a good car, but you still have to keep your head clear. You have to think straight,” said Anderson, who has three times before been No. 1 in St. Louis. “You can’t think that just because you have a fast car you’re going to win. You have to do a good job on the starting line, too, otherwise you’re going to lose. This is a tough class. The cars are so evenly matched that every inch matters and you can be sent home no matter how fast your car is. You have to be perfect every time. I’d love to be the world champion again, and I have five races left to prove I can do it.”