Anderson Sets National Record in Qualifying in Sonoma

Six Track  Records Set in Qualifying at Infineon Raceway

 

SONOMA, Calif.  - Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson set
the national record for elapsed time during qualifying on Saturday at
Infineon Raceway at the 19th annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals,
presented by Supercuts.

 

Anderson powered his Summit Racing Pontiac GTO to a run of 6.631 seconds
over the quarter-mile drag strip, eclipsing his prior national record of
6.633, set in 2005 in Florida. Infineon Raceway now has the distinction
of holding two national records, the other a 6.968 run by Andrew Hines
in Pro Stock Motorcycle in 2005.

 

The record run by Anderson culminated two thrilling days of qualifying
that produced six track records, as well as the quickest Pro Stock
Motorcycle field in history. Moreover, four Pro Stock Motorcycle riders
cracked the six-second barrier this weekend in Sonoma.

 

"Anytime you can run a national record you certainly have something to
be proud of," said Anderson, the two-time defending champion at Infineon
Raceway. "It felt like a real nice run, but we have great conditions
right now and everybody is stepping up to the plate. You only get this
opportunity once or twice a year, so when you get it, you'd better take
advantage of it."

 

This marked the fourth time in his career that Anderson has established
a new national record for elapsed time. "The track is fantastic. The Pro
Stock drivers love it," Anderson said. "These are perfect conditions for
Pro Stock racing."

 

Teammate Jason Line (Summit Racing Pontiac) was second at 6.636
(207.69), with Warren Johnson third (6.644, 207.40).

 

Other No. 1 qualifiers heading into Sunday's eliminations include Tony
Schumacher (U.S. Army) for Top Fuel, Robert Hight (Auto Club Mustang)
for Funny Car and Andrew Hines (Screamin' Eagle V-Rod) for Pro Stock
Motorcycle.

 

Schumacher covered the quarter-mile in a track-record 4.486 (326.48) to
claim his seventh No. 1 qualifying spot of the year. The two-time
defending Top Fuel national champion has also won two of the last three
events.

 

Top Fuel driver David Grubnic (StriVectin-SD) set the track record for
speed on Saturday at 331.36. 

 

Hight, a native of Alturas in Northern California, topped Funny Car
qualifying at 4.738 (325.30) for his sixth No. 1 slot of the year. Hight
has not won since the 2006 season-opener in Pomona. John Force, who
failed to qualify on Friday, made the field with a run of 4.855 (312.50)
on Saturday and qualified 10th. 

 

Hines, both the defending national champion and defending champion at
Infineon Raceway, powered his V-Rod to a 6.974 pass (191.48) to qualify
first. Tom Bradford (Hal's Speed Shop) qualified second with the first
six-second pass of his career at 6.981 (192.00).  Antron Brown (U.S.
Army), who had posted the top time on Friday, dropped to third at 6.981
(191.54). This marks the quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle field in history
as four riders qualified under seven seconds.

 

"We qualified No. 1 here last year, and we won the event.  We're
definitely looking for a repeat," Hines said.  "This track is nice and
fast, and nice and smooth.  It's just great.  You really couldn't ask
for much better."

 

Action concludes on Sunday at Infineon Raceway with final eliminations
set for noon. For ticket information, call 800-870-RACE or visit
www.infineonraceway.com.