KB Racing Looks for Double Win in Las Vegas

Summit Racing Pro Stock drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line have not one, but two chances to win this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway—the K&N Horsepower Challenge and the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals.

First up is the 32nd Annual K&N Horsepower Challenge on Saturday. Eight Pro Stock drivers will compete to take home $50,000 in prize money along with a trophy. Each driver is paired up with a lucky fan; if their driver becomes champion, the fan wins a 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

“I love this race, it’s great for the Pro Stock class,” said Anderson. “We aren’t competing for points, just a big payday. It’s also great if you can hand over the keys to a new truck to one lucky fan.”

This is Anderson’s 12th appearance in the K&N Horsepower Challenge; he has won four of them, the most of any Pro Stock driver. Teammate Jason Line is competing for his first K&N Horsepower Challenge win.

“I’ll be honest, I want to win the K&N Horsepower Challenge.” said Line. “Doing it at Ken Black’s home track would be an even bigger bonus.”

Both drivers have done well at DENSO NHRA Nationals. Anderson has three wins and a runner-up finish, and Line scored one win and one runner-up.

Anderson and Line have won all three races run to date in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Anderson took wins in Pomona and Gainesville, and Line earned a Wally in Phoenix. Anderson attributes this year’s success to the KB team and its work ethic.

“We have gotten where we are this season with hard work,” he said. “I’m thankful the guys we have around us kept an open mind about the change to EFI, and we continue to work on making the Summit Racing Equipment Camaros faster and produce more power.”

Event sponsor DENSO Spark Plugs is an associate sponsor of the KB Racing team. The company will announce an expansion of that sponsorship this weekend.

“Greg and Jason have had great success with DENSO spark plugs,” said Larry Fidance, DENSO Manager of Marketing. “We are really excited to build on the relationship we've established this year with KB Racing.”

Anderson Closing in On Record
The DENSO Nationals is also Anderson's chance to make the record books. By qualifying for the race, Anderson can tie Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson for the most consecutive qualified races without a DNQ. Johnson That mark for Pro Stock is currently at 303. Anderson enters the race with 302 consecutive qualified races, the most among active drivers and third on NHRA's all-time list behind lace Johnson and Funny Car icon John Force, who tops the list with 395 starts without a DNQ. 

Wilkerson to Debut New Car in Las Vegas
Tim Wilkerson will debut a new chassis under the Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Mustang body at the Denso Spark Plug NHRA Nationals. The new chassis was designed by renowned race car builder, Murf McKinney.

Wilkerson and his crew stayed an extra day at Gainesville Raceway to test the new car following the Gatornationals, something that proved to be very helpful for the team.

“This is a completely different car for us. I’m glad we tested it before bringing it to Las Vegas,” Wilkerson said. “We learned a lot of important information from just a few test laps. It is a lighter frame than my previous car and we are trying a different fuel system setup. The whole crew has been working their tails off the last couple weeks to get this car ready for its Vegas debut.”

Wilkerson comes into the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals seventh in the Funny Car points standings and has won one race to date. Wilkerson won in Las Vegas in 2008 and is eager to raise the Wally here again.

DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals Schedule
Friday April 1: Qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 pm
Saturday April 2: K&N Horsepower Challenge at 1, 4 and 5 pm
Sunday April 3: Eliminations begin at noon

Television Coverage on Fox Sports 1 (All Times EST)
April 1: Qualifying highlights at 11 pm
April 2: Qualifying highlights at 9 pm
April 3: Live finals coverage beginning at 5 pm