Greg Anderson Wins Lucky Number 13 for Team Summit Racing

Greg Anderson won the K&N Filters NHRA Route 66 Nationals this past weekend, making it the 13th win in a row for Team Summit Racing in 2016.

“Rob Downing and our crew keep getting the job done. They are right on the money and don’t make mistakes. It’s an honor to drive this Summit Racing Chevy. We had the pressure put to us this weekend and we came out on top,” Anderson said.

Anderson qualified Number Four with a 6.610 second, 209.30 MPH pass. He defeated David River in Round One of eliminations (6.596/210.24 to 6.797/204.01); Allen Johnson in Round Two (6.615/208.78 to 6.647/208.97); and Shane Gray in the semifinals (6.631/209.14 to 21.336/36.96).

Anderson faced KB Racing teammate Bo Butner in the final round. Anderson had the starting line advantage with a .020 second reaction time and defeated Butner, 6.644/209.01 to 6.667/209.17.

“We had beautiful runs all day long and basically outraced the competition,” Anderson said. “We didn’t outpower anybody, but we found a way to win each round we raced, and that’s what it’s all about.”

“When the chips are down you have to find something extra, and we did that today,” Anderson continued. “I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. It certainly was our hardest-fought victory of the year, but it makes you feel good. I’m looking forward to the battle coming up.”

Anderson remains second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Line Makes Semifinals
Jason Line qualified third with a 6.598/209.95 pass. He took the win in Round One when Mark Hogan broke during the burnout, then defeated Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Round Two, 6.615/209.62 to 6.663/207.85. KB Racing teammate Bo Butner used a .039 second starting line advantage to take the win over Line, 6.631/209.23 to Line’s quicker and faster 6.616/209.56.

Line notes that Pro Stock competitors are improving and making big gains. This is only the second NHRA race of 2016 where a Summit Chevrolet Camaro did not clinch the Number One qualifying position.

“Everybody is catching up; there are some other fast Chevys out there,” Line said. “Everybody made gains this weekend. A couple weeks off did the class good, but we still managed to put one of our Camaros in the winner’s circle so that’s all that matters.”

Line retains his Number One spot in the Pro Stock points standings.

Wilkerson Sets Track Speed Record
Tim Wilkerson qualified fifth with a 3.894/330.23 run, setting a new track Top Speed record. He lost to Bob Tasca III in Round One of eliminations when he smoked the tires (3.990/316.23 to 11.327/75.19).

On Saturday afternoon the Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang body was damaged, forcing the team to run a backup body for the final qualifying session.

“I think I just ran so low on fuel up there waiting for (Matt) Hagan to get off the track that it went through and burned the piston up and hit the pan pressure switch,” Wilkerson said. “It had to do it just perfect, because when it did it crashed the nose on the ground and folded the nose off of it. This breaking bodies is really hard on my crew and it’s wearing us out. Hopefully Murf (McKinney) gets our second car done and we can take it with us on the Western Swing.”

Wilkerson leaves Joliet eighth in the Funny Car points standings.

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified third (3.732/330.55), resetting the Top Speed record for Route 66 Raceway. He defeated Kyle Wurtzel in Round One of eliminations but lost to Tony Schumacher in Round Two. Kalitta remains first in the points standings.

"We just ran up against the wrong person in the second round, Kalitta said. "The Mac Tools guys worked hard this weekend and are continuing to be focused on what our goal is. We will go home, get ready for the Western Swing and look to continue to make gains.

J.R. Todd qualified seventh (3.748/320.43). He defeated T.J. Zizzo, Steve Torrence, and Tony Schumacher to reach the final round, where he lost to Antron Brown. Todd is currently seventh in the points standings. 

"It stings to lose another close final," Todd said. "Iwant to a win bad, and we have been so close. However, we are running strong and if we can continue to run like this the wins will come soon."

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Del Worsham qualified tenth (3.930/324.20), but lost to Courtney Force in Round One. He is seventh in the points standings.

"Rough, rough weekend for this DHL team," Worsham said. "Definitely not something we are used to. We have an off week next week, so the guys will work hard and I am confident that we will have it right for the Western Swing."

Alexis DeJoria qualified third (3.887/327.11). She defeated Brian Stewart in Round One, but lost to Robert Hight in the semi-finals. DeJoria is currently tenth in the points standings. 

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Antron Brown (3.777/321.19) defeated J.R. Todd (3.798/ 322.11).
Funny Car: Jack Beckman (3.955/ 324.05) defeated Ron Capps (4.522/194.74).
Pro Stock: Greg Anderson (6.644/209.01) defeated Bo Butner (6.667/209.17).
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Andrew Hines (6.858/194.91) defeated Angelle Sampey (6.893/193.40).

Next Race
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series starts the Western Swing with the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 22-24 at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, Colorado. Visit Drag Race Central for more results from the K&N Filters NHRA Route 66 Nationals.