Points Leader Anderson Takes Team Summit to the Final at Gatornationals

Seven-time Gainesville finalist Greg Anderson narrowly missed scoring his fifth Gainesville trophy at the NHRA Gatornationals. Anderson fought his way to the 141st final of his career and remained the Pro Stock points leader.

“I didn't feel like I was driving my best today," said Anderson. "I scraped and clawed, and once I got to the final round, I had a car that could win, but it didn't work out that way.”

Anderson entered eliminations as the No. 5 seed after qualifying second at the first two events this season. In the first round of eliminations Anderson easily knocked out Matt Hartford with a crisp and quick 6.502-second pass at 213.91 mph to Hartford’s
6.551/ 211.96.

In the second round, Anderson and Jeg Coughlin clocked identical .051-second reaction times. But Coughlin's tires rattled and broke loose from the racing surface as Anderson raced to the finish line with a 6.565/212.90 victory.

Anderson faced KB Racing teammate Jason Line in the Semifinals. It was a tight race to the finish line; Line had the quicker elapsed time, but Anderson won on the holeshot with a .022 second reaction time to Line's .071, 6.543/212.90 to 6.542/213.37.

“I've said it before, you can make one mistake—maybe. But you definitely can't make two,” said Line, the reigning Pro Stock champion and currently No. 2 in the Pro Stock standings. “You'll have days like this. I've had plenty of them. That’s what makes you strive to do better next time. I believe I still have the best. My Summit Racing Chevy Camaro is one bad hot rod.”

In the final round, Anderson had lane choice over Shane Gray. The two were nearly identical off the starting line, with Gray having a tiny, .001 second advantage. Anderson was on a tear, but ran into trouble and slowed to a 6.560/213.43 to Gray’s 6.535/212.96.

Despite the loss, Anderson leaves Gainesville with the points lead and is the only Pro Stock driver to have reached the all three final rounds of the season.

“I had a chance to win today, but that’s just the way it goes,” said Anderson, an 87-time NHRA Pro Stock event winner. “I’m going to get back to work and get ready for the next race. Today is a learning experience and, let me tell you, I can't wait to get to Las Vegas and have another shot at this. One win and three final rounds in the first three races for my Summit Racing Chevy Camaro isn’t bad, but I want more.”

Jason Line earned his third pole this weekend, the fourth consecutive since the 2016 NHRA Finals. He also solidified his position for the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The K&N Pro Stock shootout will take place at the upcoming NHRA DENSO Nationals in Las Vegas. Drivers earn their position in the special bonus event based on qualifying points accumulated over the course of one year. Only seven drivers can earn a position, with an eighth driver awarded a spot based on a fan vote. Line enters the shootout in the top spot, with five-time Challenge winner Anderson just behind in second place and KB Racing teammate Bo Butner occupying the No. 3 position.

“I love getting the green hat,” said Line, referring to the unmistakable green hat given to the No. 1 qualifier and each member of their team at NHRA events. “I’d really like to get the big trophy, so maybe this is the year. But it’s a big honor to qualify No. 1, and hopefully we can parlay that into a win.”

Tim Wilkerson and the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang had a tough time during qualifying this weekend, but in Round One of Eliminations on Sunday the struggles appeared to be in the rearview mirror.

Wilkerson piloted the Team LRS Mustang to its best pass of the weekend in the opening round, and did so on the side of the racetrack that had been giving the competition trouble.

“We made a darn good run for that lane,” said Wilkerson, recording a strong 3.906 second pass at 327.66 mph. But it was opponent Jack Beckman who clocked a 3.899/329.83 to nab the win. The margin of victory was just .022-second.

“Richard [Hartman, of Team LRS] and I talked about it and we changed the car around a little bit to get it through those bumpy transitions in that lane,” continued Wilkerson. “A lot of people were not able to get down it, so we were pretty proud of that. We just needed to be a little faster.”

Wilkerson has had a strong start to the season, resetting his career best three times. The driver, who also wears the hat of team owner and tuner, is optimistic as he leaves Gainesville.

“Today was a little bittersweet, but the car seems like it’s okay. It just took me a few runs to get back to where we needed to be,” said the 20-time NHRA Funny Car victor. “We're going to the next race with our head held high. I’m proud of my guys. They did a really good job on the car. It’s running flawlessly."

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Tony Schumacher (3.703/329.26) defeated Antron Brown
(3.764/322.65 mph).

Funny Car—John Force (3.928/328.14) defeated Jonnie Lindberg (3.971/314.83).

Pro Stock— Shane Gray (6.535/212.96) defeated Greg Anderson (6.560/213.43).

Next Race
The next race in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 31-April 2, 2017.

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