KB Racing LLC: Anderson wins fourth consecutive Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Pro Stock title
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KB RACING LLC NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT PONTIAC GTO PRO STOCK GREG ANDERSON - DRIVER MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz PHONE: 425-557-8899 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net 52nd ANNUAL NHRA MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS O'REILLY RACEWAY PARK IN INDIANAPOLIS (ORP) AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 4, 2006 QUALIFYING: #1: 6.662* seconds at 206.95* mph * ORP track record ELIMINATIONS: Round 1: Anderson (6.670/206.86) def. Dave Northrop (6.752/203.77) Round 2: Anderson (6.673/206.61) def. Greg Stanfield (6.712/205.63) Round 3 (semifinals): Anderson (6.678/206.39) def. V. Gaines (6.750/205.41) Round 4 (finals): Anderson (6.687/206.83) winner over Dave Connolly (Red Lighted: 6.725/205.38) Anderson wins fourth consecutive Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Pro Stock title CLERMONT, Ind. (September 4, 2006) - Greg Anderson, driver of the KB Racing LLC-owned, Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GTO, last visited the winner's circle at the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in February. After a drought of seven months, the three-time and reigning POWERade Pro Stock champion return to the winner' circle at the just completed NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. "By KB Racing standards, it's been a long time between wins and we've been in a winless slump," said Anderson, who has now won this event five times in six final rounds. "What a great place to finally rebound and end the slump. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals has been special to me and my win record here is only one of the reasons why. Mac Tools is one of our sponsor and they been great marketing partners. It is always great to win a race that is backed by one of your sponsors." Only Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson have more U.S. National wins than Anderson's five. Glidden has nine and WJ has six. En route to the winner's circle, Anderson defeated Dave Northrop, Greg Stanfield, V. Gaines and Dave Connolly, who red lighted away his chance for victory in the final round. In the four rounds of eliminations, Anderson, who was born and raised in Duluth, Minn., and now lives in Mooresville, N.C., recorded elapsed times (E.T.) of 6.670 seconds in the opening round, 6.673 seconds in the quarterfinals, 6.678 seconds in the semifinals, and 6.587 seconds in the final rounds. He was also over 206 mph on all four passes. The 45-year-old driver exited his so called "slump" running low elapsed time of each round of eliminations and set O"Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis track records during qualifying for both E.T. and speed when he ran a pass at 6.662 seconds at 206.95 mph, which also was low elapsed time and top speed for the event. Anderson has won the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals four consecutive times (2003-2006) and becomes only the third Pro Stock driver to have four consecutive wins at the most sought-after single event title in drag racing today. Glidden accomplished the feat from 1985-1988 and Warren Johnson duplicated Glidden's effort from 1992-1995. "It's incredible in this day and age to win four in a row at the race where everybody goes all out to win, reflected Anderson. "I know the competition was awesome when those guys did it, but it's even more brutal now. I feel very humbled and privileged. Anderson continued, "I had a horse under me this weekend that was just second to none. I was starting to wonder if we could still do it, and I guess this proves that we still can. This gets my blood flowing again. It seems like it's been awhile since I had the heart pumping, and it sure feels good to be back here [in the winner's circle]." With five events remaining, the top three in the POWERade Pro Stock point standings stack up as follows: teammate Jason Line leads with 1,301 points; Anderson is second, 59 points back; Connolly in third is 135 behind Line and 76 behind Anderson. Rounding out the top five are Kurt Johnson in fourth, 296 back, and Allen Johnson, who moved into the fifth spot with a semifinal finish this weekend, 314 behind the leader. "We're still in the point battle. We are continuing to hang in there and are creeping up very slowly. I know we're champions and have an excellent performing car in this Summit Pontiac. I have a championship team behind me. They're absolutely awesome. They never get down on me or give up on what we are trying to accomplish. They keep me going, as well as the support of all our sponsors and our team owner Ken Black, who make this all possible," concluded Anderson, who now has 41 career wins in 62 final rounds. The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series now moves to Maple Grove Raceway Park, just outside Reading, Penn., for the 19th event on the 23-race schedule, the NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals which runs September 14-17. Professional qualifying begins on Fri., Sept. 15 and concludes on Sat., Sept. 16. Final eliminations for all classes get underway on Sun., Sept. 17. KB Racing LLC is owned by Las Vegas businessmen Ken Black and his son Kenny Black. KB Racing LLC fields two Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock Pontiac GTOs, one driven by Greg Anderson and the other by Jason Line in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Anderson has won three consecutive POWERade Pro Stock Championships (2003-2005). Line finished third in the 2005 POWERade point standings and was honored with the 2004 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future award, presented to the most outstanding rookie in a professional category. This year KB Racing LLC also began fielding a Top Fuel Dragster, managed by Kalitta Motorsports, with rookie Top Fuel driver Hillary Will handling the driving duties. ####