Greg Anderson Makes Final Round, Takes Pro Stock Points Lead

Greg Anderson not only made the final round at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, he set Low ET of the Event, earned his 98th Number One Qualifier award, and took the lead in the Pro Stock points standings.

In Round One of eliminations, Anderson’s 6.579 second/210.93 MPH pass defeated Dave River's 6.897/97.59.

Anderson faced KB Racing teammate Deric Kramer in Round Two. Anderson won on the holeshot with a .010 second reaction time and 6.618/210.54 pass to Kramer's 6.595/210.01 (.055 RT).

In the semifinals, Vincent Nobile had lane choice over Anderson, but Anderson took the win with a 6.604/209.85 over Nobile’s tire-chattering 12.390/70.57 pass.

Unfortunately, in the final round, Anderson caught the red light ( -0.038 foul),
giving Jeg Coughlin Jr. the win with a 6.574/210.67.

“We were flawless in qualifying, but our Achilles heel still seems to be racetrack management on Sunday," said Anderson. “We made the final round, we took the points lead—It's hard to be unhappy with that.”

Jason Line defeated Tim Freeman in Round One of eliminations with a 6.574/210.44 pass to Freeman’s 7.414/135.61.

In Round Two, Vincent Nobile got the win with a 6.582/210.21 to Line’s 6.595/210.70 pass.

“We're going to test before Richmond next week and try to apply what we're doing to Greg's car to mine,” said Line. “Overall, we're going in a good direction.”

Tim Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car qualified 11th. In Round One of eliminations, Wilkerson faced John Force, but had an early exit thanks to the Windy City living up to its nickname.

A large gust of wind ripped off Wilkerson's roof hatch while in the burnout box. Wilkerson was allowed to make the pass, but with physics working against him, Force took the win 4.059/318.77 to Wilk’s 4.670/175.68 pass.

“High winds here caught the hatch and blew it right off,” said Wilkerson. “That's a serious downforce issue. With the hatch missing, that wind goes right in the car.”

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Clay Millican (3.894/289.32) defeated Leah Pritchett (4.501/192.08)

Funny Car—Robert Hight (4.073/310.63) defeated Ron Capps (4.310/230.21)

Pro Stock—Jeg Coughlin (6.574/310.67) defeated Greg Anderson (Foul, Red Light)

Pro Stock Motorcycle—Matt Smith (6.816/195.87) defeated LE Tonglet (6.862/193.24)

What’s next:
The next event on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Virginia, June 8-10.

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