Final-Round Finish for Greg Anderson at the U.S. Nationals

Greg Anderson made it to the final round at the 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Brownsburg, Indiana. Anderson had a runner-up finish in what he would call one of the toughest losses of his career.

“I really thought I was going to win today,” said Anderson, who has more Indy wins than any other Pro Stock driver currently competing. “It meant so much to me. I had all the confidence in the world and the best racecar out here. This one hurts.”

The four-time Pro Stock world champion had the car to beat at Lucas Oil Raceway. Anderson had the quickest times in three of five qualifying rounds and earned the 90th Number One Qualifier award of his career.

Anderson beat Kenny Delco in Round One of eliminations with a 6.630 second, 208.04 MPH pass to Delco’s 11.441/77.96. The pass would stand as the quickest of the day, and gave Anderson lane choice over Summit Racing teammate Jason Line in Round Two. Only .002-second separated the two drivers at launch, but Anderson took the round win with a 6.633/208.23 to Line’s 6.664/207.34. Anderson had the low elapsed time of that round, and top speed of the day.

In the semifinals, Anderson beat Alex Laughlin, 6.664/207.82 to 6.691/207.46. Anderson had lane choice in the final, facing Drew Skillman for the title. In the end, it was Skillman by just .012 second. Skillman took the holeshot and the win with 6.676/206.61 to Anderson’s 6.660/208.01.

“That was my toughest loss, said Anderson. “But, I go into the Countdown with a lot of confidence in my Summit Racing Chevy Camaro.”

Anderson enters the Countdown to the Championship tied with Tanner Gray as the Number Two seed.

Jason Line defeated Matt Hartford in Round One of eliminations with a 6.656/206.86 run to Hartford’s 6.688/207.15.  Line lost to Anderson in Round Two, but his performance provides a surge of encouragement as the regular season concludes and the Countdown begins.

“I think we made some strides with my Summit Racing Camaro, for sure,” said Line.  “We have a great team, and that’s one of the most important things to have when you’re fighting for a championship.”

KB Racing-powered Bo Butner was ousted in the second round of eliminations when he fouled out .129 second too soon. He maintains the number one spot entering the Countdown.

Tim Wilkerson and his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car won a close race against Jonnie Lindberg in Round One of eliminations. Wilk took the holeshot and win with a 3.915/326.71 pass over Lindberg’s 3.914/325.14.

In Round Two, Wilkerson was quicker off line again, beating Robert Hight, 3.940/326.79 to 4.102/286.50.

In the semifinals, Wilkerson faced J.R. Todd. Then, Wilkerson’s car moved towards the center line and knocked out a timing block—an immediate disqualification, giving Todd the win.

“I had a good car all day, but for some reason, it went out there about 600 feet and picked up the front end a little bit,” said Wilkerson. “When it hit the ground, it started spinning the tires and put two holes (cylinders) out on the left side. I couldn’t steer it. But that’s just the way it goes. We’ll get ready for Charlotte and the Countdown. We feel like we’ve got a pretty good chance.”

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Steve Torrence (3.757/322.96) defeated Kebin Kinsley (10.82/48.47)

Funny Car—J.R. Todd (3.923/325.61) defeated Ron Capps (3.949/325.53)

Pro Stock—Drew Skillman (6.676/206.61) defeated Greg Anderson (6.660/208.01)

Pro Stock Motorcycle—Eddie Krawiec (6.858/196.90) defeated Hector Arana Jr. (6.886/195.48)

What’s Next
The next race on the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule is the six-race playoffs known as the Countdown to the Championship. The Countdown begins in Charlotte, North Carolina at zMAX Dragway at the NHRA Carolina Nationals, September 15-17.

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