Sunday’s NHRA Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park was the third consecutive event in which HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro pilot Greg Anderson saw marked improvement for his program. Anderson, the reigning and five-time Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock champion, claimed the 120th No. 1 of his career and second in a row, then went on to record a final-round finish on Sunday in Topeka.
In the last three events, Anderson has twice finished in the final, with a trip to the semifinals sandwiched between.
"For three races in a row, we've had a chance to win – and we didn't have a chance to do that in the first eight races this year," said Anderson. "We're definitely beginning to see what we've been looking for, and hopefully, we can hang on to that and continue to build as the Countdown to the Championship comes into view."
Anderson's incredible 6.623-second pass in qualifying held as low elapsed time of the event, and as the No. 1 qualifier he earned the first-round bye run. Aiming for lane choice, Anderson came to the starting line loaded and ready – but as he went to shift after leaving the starting line, the transmission dead-headed and he slowed.
"That was a lucky one for us; it was good we had the bye run there," said the 99-time Pro Stock winner.
In the second round, no luck was necessary as opponent Bo Butner fouled out, leaving the starting line .010-second too soon. With lane choice over KB Racing teammate Kyle Koretsky in the semifinals, Anderson laid down a slightly quicker reaction time (.039 to .056) and kept ahead for a 6.693, 204.98 win over a 6.719, 205.44.
From there, he landed a rematch with young Troy Coughlin Jr., who had gotten the best of him at the race prior in the semifinals. It was Coughlin in the limelight again this time around on a 6.680, 206.54 over Anderson's good but not quite enough 6.701, 204.85.
"We didn't get the win today, but it's still encouraging," said Anderson. "We have a chance every weekend to win, and the wins will come. It's frustrating to get so close and not close the deal, but they say there's a reason for everything. Maybe there's a grand plan, a bigger story to be written. I'll look at it that way and move on."
Only one race remains before the six-race Countdown to the Championship commences, with Anderson entering the final regular season event fourth in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings. He is 375 markers behind points leaders Erica Enders after Race No. 12 of 19 of the 2022 season.
The next Pro Stock race for the HendrickCars.com team on the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule will take place Aug. 31 – Sept. 5 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Qualifying results:
Q1: 6.623-second, 205.44 mph (No. 1, +3 bonus qualifying points)
Q2: 6.681, 206.61 (No. 1, +2)
Q3: 6.677, 205.19 (No. 1, +2)
Race day results:
R1: Greg Anderson vs. bye
R2: Anderson def. Bo Butner, (.033) 6.691, 204.63 to (-.010) 6.693, 205.51
R3: Anderson def. Kyle Koretsky, (.039) 6.693, 204.98 to (.056) 6.719, 205.44
R4: Troy Coughlin Jr. def. Anderson, (.038) 6.680, 206.54 to (.044) 6.701, 204.55
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