Anderson Number One Qualifier at Fallen Patriots Route 66 Nationals

Greg Anderson was the Number One qualifier and posted the lowest ET and top speed of eliminations at the Fallen Patriots Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, Illinois. Teammate Jason Line advanced to the semifinals.

“The Summit Racing Chevy Camaro did its job today, but unfortunately the driver didn’t,” said Anderson, who clocked the best time of the day in the opening round with a 6.595-second pass against a troubled Val Smeland. In round two, his 6.614/209.59 set top speed of eliminations, but Erica Enders took the holeshot and the win over the quicker Anderson. “The way the competition is these days, the car and driver have to be perfect or you’re not going to win.”

Anderson remains second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Jason Line beat Alan Prusiensky in round one of eliminations with a 6.617/209.62 pass to Prusiensky’s 8.300/118.12. In round two he advanced on a 6.637/209.33 pass as Kenny Delco fouled out. Line’s run ended against Erica Enders, in the semifinals, clocking a 6.654/ 208.88 to Ender’s 6.649/208.46.

“Today was not the day we hoped for, that’s for sure,” said Line. “But we’re looking forward to to the next race.”

Line is currently tied for fourth in the Pro Stock points standings.

Bo Butner’s 211.06 MPH pass in qualifying held as top speed of the meet. His KB Racing-powered Chevrolet made it to the semifinals, where he lost a very close race to Drew Skillman, 6.625/209.14 to 6.621/209.69.

“You can see that you have to be perfect,” said Butner. “It’s tough. A lot of people have caught up to us. But overall, it was still a good weekend.”

There was a new chassis beneath the carbon fiber body of Tim Wilkerson’s Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang this weekend. Wilkerson was all business working out any new-car kinks. He qualified with one of the top times in a tough session and made it to Sunday’s semifinals.

Wilkerson won against Brian Stewart in the first round on a hot and sticky racetrack with a 4.361/222.29 to Stewart’s 4.825/176.70. He had the third-quickest pass of the second round as the heat increased, clocking a 4.107/314.61 to beat Jack Beckman’s tire-smoking 5.061/172.65.

But in the semifinals, Wilkerson overpowered the racetrack, slowing to a 7.734/117.15 to Tommy Johnson Jr.’s winning 4.015/317.87.

“The new car threw me some curves, but it’s coming around,” said Wilkerson. “I have the new car, new parts, and a great team. We all want to get back to the winner’s circle.”

Wilkerson leaves Chicago eighth in the Funny Car points standings.

Final Round Results

Top Fuel—Steve Torrence (3.779/326.08) defeated Antron Brown (3.786/326.71)

Funny Car—Ron Capps (4.026/319.67) defeated Tommy Johnson Jr., (4.047/319.90)

Pro Stock—Drew Skillman (6.627/209.23) defeated Erica Enders (6.655/207.37)

Pro Stock Motorcycle—LE Tonglet (6.835/195.99) defeated Hector Arana Jr., (6.878/193.29)

What’s Next
The next event on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is the Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado, July 21-23.

For more information and complete race results visit DragRaceCentral.com.