The third race of the 2022 NHRA Countdown to the Championship left Greg Anderson and the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro team wanting a whole bunch more. Anderson was stellar in qualifying and picked up a slew of bonus points, but come race day, he was halted in the second round. The early exit at such a crucial juncture has only fueled Anderson's fire as the tour next heads to the Dallas.
"I can't wait to get to Dallas," said Anderson. "It's one of our favorite places, and for me, personally, it's been a very special place to race. We're disappointed that we didn't accomplish what we set out to do here this weekend, but we can't dwell on that. We have to look ahead."
Starting from the No. 2 position, 100-time Pro Stock winner Anderson first took on Fernando Cuadra Jr.
Anderson was prepared for whatever the young Pro Stock racer had to offer, and as predicted, second-generation competitor Cuadra brought a strong game. However, Anderson had a stronger horse and wheeled the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.512-second victory at 210.87 mph. Cuadra dealt out a 6.562, 210.41 that wasn't quite enough, and Anderson advanced to the second round.
There, he met KB Racing teammate Matt Hartford, and the two flew side-by-side down the quarter-mile and put up identical 6.529 elapsed times on the scoreboard. The win light flashed in Hartford's lane, however, due to a slightly quicker reaction time. Hartford's .020 topped Anderson's .010.
With the St. Louis results, reigning and five-time Pro Stock champion Anderson ranks fifth in the Pro Stock points -- 160 markets behind leader Erica Enders.
"Well, that's not ideal, is it," said Anderson. "But we'll go on to Dallas, and we'll be as perfect as we can be. There's nothing we want more than to put the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet in the winner's circle."
The next race on the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour will take place October 13 – 16 for the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.
Qualifying results:
Q1: 6.517-second, 210.44 mph (No. 2, +2 bonus points)
Q2: 6.510, 210.97 (No. 2, +2)
Q3: 6.518, 210.83 (No. 2, +3)
Race day results:
R1: Greg Anderson defeated Fernando Cuadra Jr., (.061-second reaction time) 6.512-second at 210.87 mph to (.029) 6.562, 210.41
R2: Matt Hartford def. Anderson, (.010) 6.529, 211.59 to (.020) 6.529, 210.67
AdChoices