Anderson Back in the Seat of Summit Racing Hot Rod in Houston

NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson is back in the saddle of his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, competing for the first time this season at the 27th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals at Houston's Royal Purple Raceway.

Doctors officially cleared Anderson to return to racing this past Monday, Missing the first five events of the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series was a necessary evil as Anderson recovered from heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. He worked hard to return to form and returned to competition one race earlier than expected.

"It was very difficult to sit out those first five races," admitted Anderson. "We racers tend to think that everything in life is all about drag racing. Nothing is more important. We live it, breath it, eat it, sleep it. And sometimes we think we're invincible, but I found out firsthand that we're not.

"In the beginning, I thought the surgery and recovery would be a simple deal, a piece of cake, that I would bounce right back,” Anderson continued. “It turns out it was a huge deal. They fixed me up, but there was still a challenge ahead and a lot of pain to go through. You have to learn to be patient, take your time, go slow and follow the doctor's orders, and that's a whole new game for a guy like me. I healed up in the proper amount of time, and now it's time to go racing again. I couldn't be more excited to get back behind the wheel of my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro."

Returning to racing at the SpringNationals is favorable for Anderson in more ways than one. The four-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion earned two of his 74 national event wins at Royal Purple Raceway. His teammate Jason Line piloted his blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to victory at the SpringNationals last year. To sweeten the deal, Anderson is driving the very same car that Jimmy Alund, the European Pro Stock champion who took Anderson’s place while he recuperated, put in winner's circle just a week and a half ago at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.

"I'm excited to get back in the same car that Jimmy won with in Charlotte," said Anderson. "Jimmy has done a fantastic job of driving the car and also of helping the guys find a happy spot for that race car to run in," said Anderson. "My hat's off to the entire team and Jimmy. That car is working very, very nicely, and I found that out firsthand yesterday when we made a few test runs. It's like it's on autopilot. It's smooth as glass.

"To be honest with you, I can't remember ever going to a race this happy, this positive and feeling this good,” Anderson explained. “I guess it's kind of a new lease on life for me. Now it's time to get back to racing. That's what we love, that's where we feel at home."

Anderson begins his racing season today with two rounds of qualifying at 4 pm and 6:30 pm. You can check on his progress and the rest of the SpringNationals action at www.DragRaceCentral.com.

Greg Anderson By the Numbers, SpringNationals Edition
2: Wins by Anderson, most recently in 2008.
7: Top Three starts by Anderson in 14 prior races.
16: Elimination round wins in 14 starts.

Event Schedule
Friday, April 25: Two qualifying sessions at 4 and 6:30 pm
Saturday, April 26: Two qualifying sessions at 12:30 an 3 pm
Sunday, April 27:  Final eliminations starting at 11 am 

Television Coverage on ESPN2 (All Times Eastern)
Qualifying: Saturday, April 26, 6-8 pm
Eliminations: Sunday, April 27, 7-10 pm