Greg Anderson is in full-fledged beast mode.
The Summit Racing Pro Stock driver captured his fourth Wally of the 2012 NHRA Pro Stock racing season Sunday at the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ, his 74th career win, and the 100th for owner Ken Black and the KB Racing team.
Anderson defeated Jason Line in an all-Summit Racing team final, capping off a dream weekend for the debut of Anderson’s new Chevrolet Camaro, and a disappointing one for Line who was hoping to retire his Pontiac GXP with a win.
Line plans to break out his new Camaro for the next race June 15-17 in Bristol, TN.
The Summit Racing duo has historically had some of the closest races in the category’s history, and Sunday’s encounter was shaping up to be yet another as the two left the starting line as if welded together. Although Line seemed to be gaining an edge as the two rocketed down the quarter-mile, his progress was suddenly slowed by a rare mechanical malfunction, allowing Anderson to use a 6.560-second, 212.03-mile-per-hour pass to gain the historic win, an occasion made even more special by the presence of team owners Ken and Judy Black. It was Anderson’s fifth win at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, making him the most successful Pro Stock driver in that track’s storied history.
“Once we both won in the semifinals, we were assured of KB Racing’s 100th win, so it was just a matter of which one of us would do it,” Anderson said. “It was something we both really wanted to accomplish, and to be honest, Jason was ahead of me by two hundredths when he broke a valve spring or else he certainly would have won. It was unfortunate for him, and it’s a sad deal any time we hurt a motor, but it was a great day for Ken and Judy Black and everyone on the team.
“Winning an NHRA national event is not an easy task under any circumstance, so for a brand new car to come out and win in its very first race as we did today with our Summit Racing Camaro is a testament to the talent of the people on this KB Racing team. They’re an incredible group of guys, and it’s a great feeling to share the winner’s circle and take pictures with Ken and the entire crew, especially those who have been here for all 100 wins. It’s just a very special day for me.”
Naturally disappointed with the results, Line took some consolation in the team victory while also looking forward to the debut of his own Camaro.
“Although I am certainly pleased that we were able to get KB Racing’s 100th win with Ken and Judy (Black) here in attendance, the racer in me is not happy,” Line said. “We knew going into the final that we were going to get it, and I really wanted to be the one that did it.
“My Summit Racing Pontiac had performed beautifully all weekend, and I thought I was going to send it out a winner. Unfortunately, just before the finish line, we had a problem with the motor and Greg was able get around me. So even though I am personally disappointed, it was good day for the team. I’m happy for everyone on the crew and glad we could get the Camaro a win in its first race back.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my own Summit Racing Camaro out at the next race. We’ll spend the next few days getting it finished and tested before heading up to Bristol and seeing if we can give my Chevrolet an equally successful debut there.”
NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock Championship Points Standings
(After 9 of 23 races)
1. Greg Anderson 869
2. Jason Line 770
3. Allen Johnson 710
4. Vincent Nobile 598
5. Mike Edwards 586
NHRA SuperNationals Results
Top Fuel – Steve Torrence, 3.800 seconds, 323.66 miles per hour def. Brandon Bernstein, 3.807 seconds, 321.04 mph.
Funny Car – Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.078, 314.39 def. Ron Capps, Charger, 5.358, 160.71.
Pro Stock – Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.560, 212.03 def. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.588, 200.98.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.921, 171.45 def. Hector Arana, Buell, foul.
Competition Eliminator – Arnie Martel, Pontiac GTO, 7.574, 170.17 def. Dan Fletcher, Chevy Cobalt, 7.808, 157.06.
Super Stock – Brian Martel, Cobalt, broke def. James Antonette, Pontiac Grand Am, foul.
Stock Eliminator – Joe Santangelo, Camaro, 10.866, 119.79 def. Eric Cabral, Pontiac Firebird, foul.
Super Comp – Franklin Di Bartolomeo, Dragster, 8.883, 170.34 def. Dave Heuwetter, Dragster, 8.879, 170.43.
Super Gas – Ray Sawyer, Chevy Camaro, 9.888, 167.74 def. Marc-Andre Piche-Nadeau, Camaro, 9.882, 131.36.
Super Street – Pete Biondo, Chevy Nova, 10.887, 146.29 def. Chris Butcher, Ford Mustang, 10.883, 146.40.
Pro Mod – Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.910, 239.57 def. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 5.964, 229.51
Comments