Anderson Looks for Strong Season Finish After Vegas Race

Greg Anderson came into the NHRA Toyota Nationals with a longshot on his mind: winning the 2015 Pro Stock Championship. While the cards did not come up in his favor, Anderson left Las Vegas determined to finish the 2015 season on a high note.

Anderson qualified second with a 6.584 second, 209.52 MPH run, his best showing since qualifying Number One at Indianapolis, Charlotte, and St. Louis. Anderson met up with Matt Hartford in Round One and took the win with the second-quickest pass of the round, 6.598/209.14 to 6.676/207.53.

Anderson needed to continue to win rounds to keep in the hunt for the championship. In Round Two, Anderson cut a solid .026 second reaction time to Vincent Nobile's .036, but his 6.630/209.04 pass fell short to hold off Nobile’s 6.615/208.75.

“There were definitely some positives this weekend,” said Anderson. “I did a better job of driving than I have lately, so we’re making gains on that. We missed the setup in the second round and it cost us. But we’re not going to complain about it. All we can do is pick our heads up, go to the next race, and finish with a bang.”

Anderson remains in second place in the Countdown to the Championship points standings.

Line Prepares for Season Finale after Las Vegas
Jason Line came to Las Vegas intent on capitalizing on previous success at one of the Summit Racing team’s favorite facilities. The driver of the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro qualified fourth with a 6.593/209.39 pass, and drew Kenny Delco for the first round of eliminations. Line took the win with a 6.600/208.78 to Delco’s 7.108/155.65. Line had lane choice over Drew Skillman in Round Two, but it was Skillman taking the win with 6.605/209.04 to Line’s 6.622/208.55.

“We did not run as well today as we had planned,” said Line. “We slowed down, and that certainly was not what we wanted to happen. But to be honest, it’s just kind of a reflection of how our season has been. We’re just going to move on. We’ve got one race left, and we’re going to go to Pomona for the Finals and do a better job.”

Line is currently seventh in the Countdown to the Championship points standings.

2015 Championships Decided at Las Vegas
Three pro class championships were clinched at the NHRA Toyota Nationals:
• Antron Brown won the 2015 Top Fuel championship in Round Two of eliminations when he defeated Dave Connolly and rival Tony Schumacher lost to Larry Dixon
• Erica Enders won the 2015 Pro Stock championship when she advanced to the semi-finals and rival Greg Anderson fell to Vincent Nobile in Round Two
• Troy Coughlin won the 2015 Pro Mod championship after winning in the semi-finals over Sidnei Frigo

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified 13th (3.839/315.49). He defeated Steve Torrence, Richie Crampton, and Antron Brown in the semis to reach the final round, where he defeated Larry Dixon for the win. Kalitta is currently sixth in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified seventh (3.770/327.51) but lost to Tony Schumacher in Round One of eliminations. He is currently 10th in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified 10th (3.992/315.05) but lost to Chad Head in Round One. He is currently 10th in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified sixth (3.969/325.92). He defeated beat Matt Hagan in Round One, but lost to Robert Hight in Round Two. Worsham is currently Number One in the points standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified ninth (3.984/319.22). She defeated John Force in Round One, but lost to Tommy Johnson, Jr. in Round Two. DeJoria is currently eighth in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Pro Mod
Kenny Lang did not qualify (6.036/240.55).

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Doug Kalitta defeated Larry Dixon, 4.239/207.59 to 8.110/73.95.
Funny Car: Robert Hight defeated Tommy Johnson, Jr., 3.955/323.97 to 8.279/85.02.
Pro Stock: Erica Enders defeated Bo Butner, 6.595/208.97 to 6.610/209.33.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Andrew Hines defeated Jerry Savoie, 6.920/193.05 to 6.911/193.13.
Pro Mod: Kahlid alBalooshi defeated Pete Farber, 5.854/245.76 to 5.942/244.43.

Next Race
The next event is the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, November 13-15 in Pomona, California. Visit Drag Race Central for more news and in-depth results from the NHRA Toyota Nationals.