Summit Racing Greg Anderson NHRA Pre Race: Motivation Not
an Issue for Anderson in Englishtown
Contact: Jon Knapp
Summit Racing PR
Ph: 704.662.3121
J2Racing@aol.com
Motivation Not an Issue for Anderson in Englishtown
Mooresville, N.C., June 10, 2010 – Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, site of this weekend’s United Association NHRA SuperNationals, is located approximately 600 miles from the Summit Racing team’s headquarters in Mooresville, NC. However, despite the distance, a look at the results from the last few years shows that Pro Stock standout Greg Anderson and his teammate Jason Line have made themselves quite at home in the Garden State, with seven wins in the last eight races, with Anderson logging a best-in-class four victories. Although it is a trend that he would naturally like to continue, as the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its annual visit to Englishtown, NJ, the three-time champion is equally driven to do well by the memory of a lost friend.
“I always look forward to racing in Englishtown,�?? said Anderson. “It has historically been a great track for the Summit Racing team, with Jason and I both having multiple wins there, and, being on the East Coast, the fans really appreciate Pro Stock. Everybody who stops by our pit area is both excited and knowledgeable about our class, and we really enjoy racing in front of them.
“I had one of the most emotional wins of my career at Raceway Park two years ago on the weekend we lost Scott Kalitta. It was an extremely tough deal, and something we’ll always remember whenever we go back there. It’s Scott’s racetrack now. We’re going to have a big party in the Kalitta teams’ pits in his memory on Saturday, and I can’t wait to be a part of that, celebrating his life and the man that he was. Then on Sunday, we’ll try to honor him by putting our Summit Racing Pontiac back in the winner’s circle.�??
In order for Anderson to score his fifth win at the track known simply as “E-town�??, he will need to better adapt his race car to the warmer temperatures forecasted for this weekend. Although encouraged by his teammates’ runner-up performance in Chicago three days ago, there is still some concern in the KB Racing camp as to their race cars’ behavior when the mercury and the humidity start to rise.
“These race cars are just one big puzzle, and if any of the pieces are not in the right place, it doesn’t work,�?? said Anderson. “We had originally thought that our problems were based solely in the chassis, and not in the motors. However, what we experienced on the racetrack told us otherwise, with last weekend providing some valuable information. Under the cooler conditions we had on Sunday, everything picked right back up.
“That showed us it’s not an issue that we don’t have any power, it’s just that our engine combination at the moment is extremely finicky in high humidity. That, in turn, affects the way the entire car works. Our Summit Racing Pontiacs are tuned to race with high horsepower, so if you take that part of the puzzle away, everything changes.
“What we have to do now is pin point what is different to make the engines act that way, and find a way to correct it. With only a couple days between races, we won’t have a lot of time, but we’re working on a few projects that we believe should get us back on track. We’ll keep digging until we get it right.�??
Finally, if his natural competitive drive and desire to honor a fallen friend were not enough, this weekend Anderson will have some added motivation to perform, as he will have some very special company with him this weekend.
“Sunday is my wife Kim’s birthday, and I’d like nothing more than to reward her with a trip to the winner’s circle,�?? said Anderson. “After all, this will be only the third race she’s come to this year as she has been staying home putting our lives back together after the fire, allowing me to be out here doing what I love.
“If that wasn’t motivation enough, she’s also going into New York City to shop on Monday after the race, so I really need to win just to help pay for it. Seriously, though, I want to do whatever I can to help put a smile on her face, showing her how much I appreciate everything she’s done, and I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.�??
Notes for Greg Anderson & the Summit Racing Pontiac crew
At Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:
Anderson Among the Best in E-town: In 12 prior starts at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Greg has four wins in five final round appearances (most recently in 2008), which ties him with legends Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson for the most by a Pro Stock racer in Englishtown.
Englishtown Track Record Holder: Greg’s 210.57 mph top speed from 2007 is the current Pro Stock track speed record at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Anderson’s Qualifying Record at Raceway Park: Since 2002, Greg has qualified in the Top Four positions in each of his Englishtown starts, including four No. 1 qualifying performances. Overall, he has an average starting spot of 5.25 at Raceway Park.
Event Schedule:
Friday, June 11: Two qualifying sessions at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 12: Two qualifying sessions at 12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 13: Final eliminations starting at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage (all coverage on ESPN2):
Qualifying: Saturday, June 12 – 11:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, June 13 – 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
RaceDay: Sunday, June 13 – 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
(All times Eastern)
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia. For more information, please visit www.summitracing.com.
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