Quarterfinals finish for Greg Anderson and the HendrickCars.com Chevy in Phoenix
Greg Anderson and his NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors said goodbye to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park on Sunday on the final day of the 38th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. Anderson had hoped to claim the last Pro Stock trophy up for grabs at the facility that opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983, but a quarterfinals finish was the hand he was dealt.
"I really wanted to get that last trophy and bring it home for the HendrickCars.com guys and Mr. Hendrick," said Anderson, a two-time winner there in Phoenix. "We've struggled some with my car, and we're working very hard to figure out why all the cars in the camp aren't running as fast as some of them. We're heading right to Pomona, and myself and our great group of crew chiefs over here in the KB Titan Racing camp are putting our heads together to come up with the solution."
Anderson, qualified in the No. 10 position, squared off with Troy Coughlin Jr. in the first round of eliminations. Coughlin's -.094-second red-light start sent the five-time NHRA Pro Stock champion ahead to the next round, and he clocked a 6.561, 209.26 mph pass as his win light flashed.
In the semis, Anderson and KB Titan teammate Kyle Koretsky met at the starting line, each with fierce determination to send the other back to their camp empty-handed. Anderson was dialed in for victory as he charged out of the gate in a brisk .011-second next to his friendly challenger's .030, but as his car fell into trouble and slowed, Koretsky surged ahead for a 6.589, 209.20 triumph over a 6.644, 209.43.
Race day Results:
R1: Greg Anderson defeated Troy Coughlin Jr., (.026-second reaction time) 6.561-second at 209.26 mph to (.-094) 23.385, 40.06
R2: Kyle Koretsky def. Anderson, (.030) 6.589, 209.20 to (.011) 6.644, 209.43
"That was certainly not the way I wanted this weekend to end, but I'm very encouraged by the performances of my teammates. We just have to narrow it down to exactly what we're doing right with their cars and distribute it to all of the KB Titan Chevrolets," said Anderson, noting that KB Titan Racing had low elapsed time and top speed of each round between Camrie Caruso and Matt Hartford.
"We're thrilled that Camrie got her first win this weekend – the first of what we hope will be many for KB Titan Racing," he continued. "She drove well and had the car to get it done, and we're very pleased as a group about that. Now the challenge will be getting all of our cars up to speed and getting it done again in Pomona."
Anderson claimed two bonus points as the runner-up in Saturday's bonus race in Phoenix – the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge – and those points will be added to his tally when the Countdown to the Championship begins this fall. For now, he leaves Phoenix No. 6 in the standings, 28 points behind leader Coughlin.
The next Pro Stock event on the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour will be the 63rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, March 30-April 2.
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