Anderson Powers to Final Round

Greg Anderson showed intense determination at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. After missing the first five races of the season due to heart surgery, the 74-time national event winner left nothing to chance to make up valuable points for the Countdown to the Championship.

The weather was unkind to the competitors as they pressed on, with numerous rain delays postponing eliminations until Monday. Anderson’s best time of 6.541 seconds at 212.66 mph put him in the Number 10 qualifying position and earned him a first-round matchup against Vincent Nobile on race day.

Anderson was determined to get the win. His .014-second reaction time combined with the second-quickest pass of the opening round would have likely been enough, but Nobile left the starting line .005-second too early and illuminated the red light, handing Anderson an automatic win.

The second round pitted Anderson against veteran drag racer Warren Johnson. Again, Anderson made the better move at the starting line. His swift .012-second reaction time and 6.561/211.89 run down the quarter-mile track was more than enough to best Johnson’s 6.771/179.92.

Anderson was fired up for the semifinals. He cut a stellar .007-second light against Shane Gray to secure a holeshot win, 6.568/211.83 to 6.553/212.79. The win allowed Anderson to compete in his first final round since the Chicago race in 2013.

With Jeg Coughlin in the opposite lane, Anderson was at peak mental performance. He left the starting line with his best reaction time of the weekend, a psychic .003-second launch, but Anderson came up just a tiny bit short. Coughlin was .010-second at the tree and clocked a 6.558/211.63 to win over Anderson’s 6.588/212.13.

“I had a good day behind the wheel of my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro this weekend,” admitted Anderson, who participated in the 114th final round of his career. “I’m disappointed because I wanted that win, needed that win, but I’m happy because my health is fine and I can still drive these things. That’s good news. I know that I can win again; it’s just a matter of time.”

Anderson’s performance took him from 20th to 16th place in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points standings.

Line Shows Off Fast Race Car
Jason Line set the track speed record in his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro during qualifying and consistently proved to have one of the fastest cars on the property on race day.

Despite the frequent weather delays, Line’s qualifying efforts were excellent. He recorded a best time of 6.514 seconds and a track record top speed of 213.00 mph. Line also earned the privilege to start from the Number 4 position, his best start since the Phoenix race.

In Round One, Line used a .008-second reaction time and third-best of the round 6.549/211.76 to put Larry Morgan on the trailer. In Round Two, Line used another third-best pass of the round to end Rodger Brogdon’s day. That win set Line up for a semifinals match against Jeg Coughlin. The duo left the starting line nearly in unison but Coughlin took the win, 6.548/211.33 to 6.554/212.16.

“We made some improvements this weekend,” Line said. “We definitely went the right way with my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, and even though we didn’t do as well as we wanted to in the semifinals, the team as a whole did a really good job. I wish we could have done better for Summit Racing, and hopefully we’ll make them happy in Topeka next weekend. We’re just getting warmed up.”

Line is currently second in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified Number One (3.732/328.86). He bested Chris Karamesines, Shawn Langdon, and Steve Torrence before losing to Spencer Massey in the final. Kalitta is currently Number One in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified seventh (3.777/323.66). He was defeated by Spencer Massey in the opening round of eliminations. Todd is currently tied for ninth in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified 11th (4.158/303.30). He beat John Force in Round One but lost to Robert Hight in Round 2. Wilkerson is currently 10th in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified second (4.014/320.05). He lost his first round matchup against Chad Head. Worsham is currently fifth in the points standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified Number One (4.012/313.95). She lost her first round matchup against Tony Pedregon. DeJoria is currently third in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Pro Modified
Kenny Lang did not qualify for the event.

FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Top Fuel: Spencer Massey defeated Doug Kalitta, 4.269/245.85 to 4.413/218.48.
Funny Car: Robert Hight defeated Courtney Force, 4.049/315.05 to 4.117/316.01.
Pro Stock: Jeg Coughlin defeated Greg Anderson, 6.558/211.63 to 6.588/212.13.
Pro Modified: Rickie Smith defeated Von Smith, 5.828/249.21 to 15.228/54.74.

NEXT RACE
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues May 23-25 with the NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas. For more news and in-depth results from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, go to http://www.dragracecentral.com/.