Anderson Wins at Sonoma Nationals

Greg Anderson won his second race in a row, and the second of the Western Swing, at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, California. Anderson is the only driver now with a chance to “sweep the Swing” and is the only Pro Stock driver to ever have accomplished that feat in 2004.

“I’ll go into Seattle with a smile on my face, eager to race, and see if the cards fall the right way again,” said Anderson.

In Round One of eliminations, Anderson defeated Kenny Delco with a 6.570 second/209.52 MPH pass to 6.594/209.69. In Round Two, he faced Jeg Coughlin Jr., who broke before staging and did not run. Anderson clocked his single pass at 6.568/211.10.

It was an all-Summit Racing semifinal round against teammate Jason Line. Anderson got the win on the holeshot, with a .022 reaction time and 6.625/209.52 pass to Line’s .064 RT, 6.593/208.71 pass.

In the final, Anderson defeated Number One qualifier Alex Laughlin. Laughlin was first off the line, but suffered car trouble. Anderson clocked a 6.602/208.71 run to Laughlin’s 7.203/175.68.

“This feels great,” said Anderson. “It’s been a long time since I’ve won two races in a row. Sonoma has always been one of my favorite tracks on the circuit. I love where the cars run fast and I think that’s why I’ve had a lot of success here.”

Anderson is second in the Pro Stock points standings.

It’s tough to lose against a teammate. It’s even tougher when you run quicker and faster, and you’re just one round away from making the final. That sums up Jason Line’s Sunday.

In Round One of eliminations, Line defeated Richard Freeman. 6.570/210.08 to 6.585/210.01. In Round Two it was close, but Line beat Deric Kramer with a 6.574/209.85 pass to Kramer’s 6.578/210.41.

In the all-Summit Racing semifinal Line had the quicker run, but Anderson won on the holeshot.

Line is currently fourth in the Pro Stock points standings.

Bo Butner, Pro Stock driver and current leader in Pro Stock points, debuted in the Sportsman class Super Gas category.  Driving a recently acquired ’63 Corvette roadster, Butner won his first event in this class.

"I knew coming into this that the car was good. I'm very happy with it, and I'm entered for next week in Seattle”, said Butner. “It's a lot of fun, and believe it or not it keeps my mind off other stuff. I always race better with two cars.”

Tim Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car, qualified 10th and picked up a bonus qualifying point with one of the quickest cars of the final session.

In Round One of eliminations Wilk faced John Force. Although he had the better .084 RT, Wilk had a little trouble down track, giving Force the win 3.917/327.11 to 4.216/228.89.

“We had a lot of wheel speed leaving the line and it washed out, bad,” explained Wilkerson. “I was way out of the groove. I have to concentrate on steering better. We’ll try again in Seattle.”

Wilkerson is currently 10th in the Funny Car points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Billy Torrence (3.804/320.20) defeated Clay Millican (3.842/321.64)

Funny Car—Robert Hight (3.973/325.45) defeated Matt Hagan (4.030/316.60)

Pro Stock—Greg Anderson (6.602/208.71) defeated Alex Laughlin (7.203/175.68)

Pro Stock Motorcycle—Andrew Hines (6.790/198.00) defeated Matt Smith (6.822/197.36)

Low ET: Alex Laughlin, 6.520 seconds
Top Speed: Erica Enders, 211.46 MPH

What’s Next
The next race on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, in Kent Washington, August 2-4.

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