NHRA (ATLANTA) - Greg Anderson chomping at the bit at Atlanta Dragway

Like a thoroughbred racehorse waiting to get on the track for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Greg Anderson is chomping at the bit to get his Pontiac GTO on the track at Atlanta Dragway for the 27th running of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals when qualifying starts today.

While Curlin might be the oddsmakers' favorite to win the Derby next weekend, Anderson should definitely be at the top of the list for the favorite to win the race at Atlanta Dragway this weekend.

Entering the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the three-time Pro Stock champion and driver of the KB Racing LLC-owned, Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac will be looking for his third win at the long running event. Since 2001, Anderson has been to five final rounds at Atlanta Dragway.

His two previous wins came here in 2005 (over Jason Line) and 2004 (over Larry Morgan). He was runner up to Warren Johnson in 2003, Allen Johnson in 2002, and Jim Yates in 2001.

"I like Atlanta Dragway," said the 46-year-old driver, who was born in Duluth, Minn., and now resides in the Charlotte, N.C. area. "Spending 12 years with Warren Johnson, whose shop is nearby, I spent a lot of time with him both racing and testing here. Some good was bound to rub off. But last year we had a hiccup and went out early. This weekend I would like to see us - KB Racing - continue the quick start that we have started this season. This race is sponsored by Summit Racing and nothing is more enjoyable than winning a race sponsored by your car sponsor."

Anderson has been to three final round, winning all three (Pomona, Gainesville and Las Vegas). His teammate Jason Line, who also drives a KB Racing LLC Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GTO, has been to two final rounds (Phoenix and Houston), winning one (Houston).

"Don't get me wrong. Nothing is easy out here in Pro Stock. There are a lot of good teams and a lot of good drivers in this class. If you do your homework and do well, you know you have earned it. Nothing is handed to you. I feel that everybody on this KB Racing team works extra hard and when the race is over and we have a good outing, we've earned it," added Anderson.

After five events on the $50 million, 23-event NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, and the fifth of 17 events in the first segment of the Countdown to the Championship, Anderson leads the Pro Stock point standings and Line is second.

QUALIFYING: Qualifying for the Pro Stock classes begins today (Friday, April 27), with two sessions at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Pro Stock Motorcycles run first, followed by Pro Stock cars). Qualifying for the Pro Stock class concludes tomorrow (Saturday, April 28), with two sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Pro Stock Motorcycles run first, followed by Pro Stock cars). Final eliminations for all teams begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Times are local Atlanta time (ET) and subject to change.

TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the 27th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD Saturday evening (April 28) from 6 until 8 p.m. ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD will also air same-day coverage of eliminations on Sunday (April 29) from 7-10 p.m. The elimination show repeats early Thursday morning (May 3) on ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD, from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Also, NHRA Race Day provides the drag racing fan with the latest information about the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals installment of NHRA Race Day can be seen this Sunday (April 29) from 11-11:30 a.m. Television times are ET and subject to change without notice. Check your local listing.