Anderson Ready for Route 66 Nationals

NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is right in the middle of four races in a row as the tour hits Chicago for the 17th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend. For Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson, the furious pace is actually welcomed.

"I know it's going to be hard to believe, but we actually like racing every weekend," admitted Anderson. "We're racers, and we feel we can learn more on the race track than off of it. The trick is just to make sure that you keep your battery charged."

Anderson's took some time off on the Monday following last week's Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire. But on Tuesday morning he was back at the shop with the rest of the team, focused on gaining horsepower and fine-tuning an already strong program. The Route 66 NHRA Nationals would be an ideal setting for getting his 75th career victory.

The Summit Racing crew has a strong history at Route 66 Raceway. He won the event in 2011, and has a total of seven final-round appearances to his credit, including last season. Summit Racing teammate Jason Line holds a record of three wins in five final rounds at the event.

"Jason and I both really like racing there in Chicago," said Anderson. "It's a great race track, just for some reason it took me a long time to close the door and win. We like it because you don't have to tiptoe down the track; you can put all the power to the ground. We love racing there.”

"We struggled with the first 10 feet of the race track last weekend in Epping, but that will not be an issue in Chicago,” Anderson continued.” The starting line is great, and we're making up ground and getting better. Everything should play into our hands."

Greg Anderson By the Numbers, Route 66 Nationals
1: Win by Anderson at Route 66 Raceway (2011)
7: Final round appearances at Joliet
6: Number One qualifying performances by Anderson
9: Top Three qualifiers in 18 previous starts
30: Elimination round wins by in 18 previous starts

Event Schedule (All Times CST)
Friday, June 27: Two qualifying sessions at 4:30 and 7:15 pm
Saturday, June 28: Two qualifying sessions at 4:15 and 7:15 pm
Sunday, June 29:  Final eliminations start at 11:00 am

Television Coverage on ESPN2 (All Times EST)
Qualifying: Saturday, June 28, 7-9 pm
Eliminations: Sunday, June 29, 3-6 pm