{"id":2323,"date":"2016-04-21T07:55:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-21T12:55:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=2323"},"modified":"2016-04-21T10:55:02","modified_gmt":"2016-04-21T15:55:02","slug":"plenty-on-the-line-for-four-time-pro-stock-champion-greg-anderson-at-nhra-four-wide-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/04\/21\/plenty-on-the-line-for-four-time-pro-stock-champion-greg-anderson-at-nhra-four-wide-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Plenty on the line for four-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

CONCORD, N.C. \u2013 It was not the start four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson<\/strong> expected, but it is one he will gladly take.<\/p>\n

\"050-GregAnderson-Sunday-Gainesville-Celebration\"<\/p>\n

There were vast changes in Pro Stock heading into the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> season and the veteran Anderson admitted to at least some trepidation for his KB Racing Summit Racing Equipment team.<\/p>\n

But while Anderson\u2019s Chevrolet Camaro looks much different, with the new look cars featuring fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter, the early results have been very much the same.<\/p>\n

Anderson already has two wins this season \u2013 longtime teammate Jason Line has the other two \u2013 and he will look to make it three at this weekend\u2019s seventh annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods at zMAX Dragway<\/a>. A two-time winner at the unique race, Anderson can also become the first three-time winner at the one-of-a-kind event.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the only noteworthy achievement on the line this weekend, either. By qualifying for Sunday\u2019s eliminations, Anderson will move past the legendary Warren Johnson for the longest career qualifying streak in Pro Stock with 304 straight races, which would put him second in NHRA history behind only John Force\u2019s 395 consecutive qualifying streak from 1988-2007.<\/p>\n

\"049-GregAnderson-Sunday-Gainesville\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re way, way, way pleasantly surprised and not just the fact that we got to Pomona and had a slight edge, but that we\u2019ve been able to hang onto it for four races,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cWhen you shake up the deck like that someone is going to come out with an advantage. We feel very fortunate and lucky for that, and when we\u2019ve had the performance advantage we have parlayed it into race wins. That has been really important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Larry Morgan (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (PSM) were last year\u2019s winners of the distinctive event. The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with qualifying highlights on April 23 at 10 p.m. and finals coverage on April 24 at 4:30 p.m. The event is the fifth of 24 races during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the KB Racing team of Anderson, Line and Bo Butner has had the clear advantage thus far. Line is first in points, Anderson is second and Butner is third, and they have combined to claim the top three spots in qualifying at each race.<\/p>\n

As impressive as that has been, Anderson, who has 80 career wins, knows it took a tremendous amount of work in the off-season to get there. He also knows the advantage won\u2019t last forever in a Pro Stock class loaded with talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we first started we were so far off,\u201d Anderson said of the changes. \u201cWe did a lot of different things and tried a lot of different parts. We have a complete room full of parts that didn\u2019t work out. We made some big gains but we had to. It\u2019s a progressive deal and there are a lot of gains still to be made. I still feel like we\u2019re just scratching the surface and the landscape in the class will look a lot different in a month. We know we have to keep going forward and we know there\u2019s a lot left to be learned.\u201d<\/p>\n

The challenges at the Four-Wide Nationals are completely unique, but Anderson has been able to master it, winning the event in 2011 and 2012, and advancing to the final group of four in two other years. Anderson has also taken advantage of some of the unique nuances of the race, such as advancing in eliminations even when he when he didn\u2019t cross the finish line first.<\/p>\n

In fact, Anderson is one of only two drivers (Robert Hight being the other) to have won the four-wide event with second-place finishes in the first two rounds, only finishing first in the final round.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can remember losing twice before I won and it\u2019s just a crazy scenario,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cYou get two runner-ups and then a win. You almost feel a little guilty that you\u2019re moving on. The whole deal is so different and as a driver, it completely blows your mind. It\u2019s such a challenge and so different. You have three cars that can whip you and no round is easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

But those moments at the KB Racing team\u2019s home track have brought out the best in Anderson, and he will have to rise to the occasion once more this weekend.<\/p>\n

Along with dealing with teammates Line and Butner, Anderson will have to ward off the likes of two-time defending world champion Erica Enders, five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., Drew Skillman, Allen Johnson, Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha, Shane Gray and Alex Laughlin. But as long as his Camaro continues to perform at the level it has all season, Anderson knows he will be a threat to win at every event.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the confidence has been key, just knowing that every time you go up there you\u2019re going to have a great car,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cI\u2019m the guy that loves to have that confidence of knowing my car is going to be great and I just have to do my job. To be able to race more relaxed and not have to do anything I\u2019m not comfortable with, it seems to work best for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Brown, who won the most recent race in Las Vegas, will be looking for his third consecutive victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. J.R. Todd, who set the 3.713-second track record at the race last year, season-opening Winternationals winner Steve Torrence, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher, recent first-time winners Leah Pritchett and Brittany Force, Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican are among the top contenders for the Wally trophy.<\/p>\n

In Funny Car, Beckman ended his 54-race winless streak in Funny Car with his victory last year. The victory provided the momentum he needed to earn seven wins in the season and finish runner-up behind Del Worsham. Winternationals winner Ron Capps, two-time Four-Wide Nationals winner and current points leader Hight, Courtney Force, John Force, Tim Wilkerson and Alexis DeJoria, who won in Las Vegas, will try to prevent Beckman from a second straight victory.<\/p>\n

The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is the second stop on the Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule. Hines, who won the event last year by outrunning three-time world champion Eddie Krawiec, went on to claim the 2015 series title. Krawiec comes in as the points leader after winning the Gatornationals and will face off against the likes of Hector Arana Jr., who was the No. 1 qualifier and also set both ends of the track record at last year\u2019s Four-Wide Nationals, Hector Arana Sr. and two-time world champion Matt Smith.<\/p>\n

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time with their favorite NHRA drivers.<\/p>\n

The 2015 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 23, at 2 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 24.<\/p>\n

Be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $107.\u00a0 Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com<\/a> or call the box office at (800) 455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS FACTS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT:<\/strong> Seventh annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories \u2013 Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle \u2013 earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong> zMAX Dragway- Track is located on Hwy 29 off I-85 at exit 49 (Speedway Blvd.) in the Concord, N.C. area.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong> Friday through Sunday, April 22-24<\/p>\n

COURSE:<\/strong> All-concrete four-wide championship dragstrip at an elevation of 630 feet. Track direction is southwest to northeast.<\/p>\n

FORMAT:<\/strong> Qualifying sessions and elimination rounds will be conducted using four lanes in all Mello Yello Series classes; Lanes will be identified from left to right facing downtrack as 1-4; The standard Friday qualifying procedure of a top 12 format will not be in use; Two Christmas trees will be in use, one between each two lanes; The Compulink Autostart system will continue to be utilized and it will not activate until all four vehicles are pre-staged and one vehicle has staged; The ladder structure will feature Race A: qualifiers 1, 8, 9, 16, Race B: qualifiers 4, 5, 12, 13, Race C: qualifiers 2, 7, 10, 15, and Race D: qualifiers 3, 6, 11, 14; Race A and Race B will be on one side of the ladder, while Race C and Race D will be on the other;\u00a0 Lane choice for eliminations goes to the driver with the quickest E.T., then the second-quickest, and so on; The first two drivers in each elimination round to cross the finish line advance to the second round and final; In the final round, teams will finish in the order they cross the finish line (barring any red-light starts), with winner, runner-up and two semifinalists in that order.<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRIDAY, April 22 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SATURDAY, April 23 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2 and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SUNDAY, April 24 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, April 23, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday, April 24, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 4:30 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2015 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong> Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Jack Beckman, Funny Car; Larry Morgan, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong> Antron Brown, 2, TF; Spencer Massey, 2, TF; Jack Beckman, 2, FC; Robert Hight, 2, FC; Greg Anderson, 2, PS; Mike Edwards, 2, PS; Andrew Hines, 2, PSM.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.713 sec. by J.R. Todd, March \u201915; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April \u201912.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.971 sec. by Tommy Johnson Jr., Sept. \u201915; 322.27 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. \u201911.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March \u201915; 215.48 mph by Greg Anderson, March \u201915.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.794 sec. and 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL RECORDS:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. \u201915, Brainerd, Minn.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.879 sec. by Jack Beckman, March \u201816, Gainesville, Fla.; 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. \u201915, Pomona, Calif.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;\u00a0 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

TICKETS:<\/strong> Order tickets by phone at (800) 455-FANS. Tickets also are available online at www.zmaxdragway.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings following the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

Top Fuel:<\/strong> 1.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 307; 2.\u00a0 Antron Brown, 269; 3.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta, 267; 4.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 249; 5.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 242; 6.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 229; 7.\u00a0 Dave Connolly, 217; 8.\u00a0 Terry McMillen, 209; 9.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 190; 10.\u00a0 Leah Pritchett, 188.<\/p>\n

Funny Car:<\/strong> 1.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 341; 2.\u00a0 John Force, 294; 3.\u00a0 Ron Capps, 289; 4.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 283; 5.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 271; 6.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 265; 7. \u00a0Chad Head, 236; 8. \u00a0Alexis DeJoria, 233; 9. \u00a0Tim Wilkerson, 221; 10.\u00a0 Matt Hagan, 150.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock:<\/strong> 1.\u00a0 Jason Line, 463; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 415; 3.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 331; 4.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 264; 5.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 214; 6.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 212; 7.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 191; 8.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 175; 9.\u00a0 Erica Enders, 171; 10.\u00a0 Alex Laughlin, 154.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle:<\/strong> 1.\u00a0 Eddie Krawiec, 129; 2.\u00a0 Hector Arana, 99; 3.\u00a0 Andrew Hines, 79; 4.\u00a0 LE Tonglet, 74; 5.\u00a0 Chip Ellis, 62; 6.\u00a0 (tie) Michael Ray, 52; Jerry Savoie, 52; Jim Underdahl, 52; 9.\u00a0 Angelle Sampey, 35; 10.\u00a0 (tie) Scotty Pollacheck, 33. Melissa Surber, 33.<\/p>\n

Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CONCORD, N.C. \u2013 It was not the start four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson expected, but it is one he will gladly take. There were vast changes in Pro Stock heading into the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the veteran Anderson admitted to at least some trepidation for his KB […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[179,106,6,178],"class_list":["post-2323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-four-wide-nationals","tag-greg-anderson","tag-nhra","tag-zmax-dragway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/050-GregAnderson-Sunday-Gainesville-Celebration.jpg?fit=2200%2C1684&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-Bt","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2323"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2328,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323\/revisions\/2328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}