Summit Racing Greg Anderson NHRA Las Vegas Pre Race: A Resolute Anderson Wants to Win One for the Boss
Contact: Jon Knapp Summit Racing PR Ph: 704.662.3121 J2Racing@aol.com A Resolute Anderson Wants to Win One for the Boss Mooresville, N.C., April 13, 2010 – As one of the most competitive drivers in the NHRA’s Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Summit Racing Pontiac driver Greg Anderson approaches every race with the same singular mindset – winning. It is an approach that has served him quite well, as evidenced by his three championships, 60 national event wins (the second-highest among active Pro Stock racers), and 73% career elimination round win percentage (the highest among all professional competitors). However, as the world’s best quarter-milers make their way to the Nevada desert for this weekend’s SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas, the Anderson-led crew will have even greater motivation. Not only will he be competing at his sponsor’s race, but this will also be his first chance to perform in front of his team owner Ken Black, who has been sidelined since December with health issues. It is an opportunity the close-knit team is determined not to miss. “Without a doubt, I want to win this race more than any other in my career,�?? said Anderson. “Naturally, as a Summit-sponsored event, we want to do well in front of the people who support us and make this all possible. This year, however, we have an even greater reason for wanting to hold up that trophy on Sunday night. “My team owner Ken Black, the man we love so dearly and miss so badly, hasn’t been able to be at a race all season because he’s been fighting to get out of a hospital bed. I think our race cars can help him with that. I honestly believe we need to start giving him something to motivate him as he goes through this ordeal, because his rehab program is extremely tough, with the mental aspect being 80% of the battle. That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to make him happy. “Unfortunately, with the exception of Jason’s win in Gainesville, we haven’t given him too much to cheer about this season due to our recent on-track futility. However, this weekend we have a unique opportunity racing in his hometown of Las Vegas. I would wish nothing more than to go to The Strip, run fantastically and put one of our Summit Racing Pontiacs in the winner’s circle, because I think it would do a lot for him. After everything Ken, Judy, Kenny and the entire Black family have done for us, they certainly deserve nothing less.�?? In order to accomplish his goal, Anderson acknowledges that his team will need to reestablish the competitive consistency that has been the hallmark of the KB Racing organization. With less than five days between the end of the most recent race in Houston and the first qualifying session at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, their efforts may have been somewhat limited, but the six-time Vegas winner is determined to extract every benefit possible from the time allowed. “We are hoping and praying that we can rectify the issues we’ve been having and put on a good show this weekend,�?? said Anderson. “Fortunately, Jason and I have had success at The Strip in the past, and although we know that guarantees us nothing for this weekend, it’s still good to go somewhere where you’ve won before. Besides, we always go to Las Vegas with smiles on our faces, because we get to race in front of the Black family. That in itself is a huge benefit. “Still, we know our Summit Racing Pontiacs will have to perform. We tried a lot of different things in Houston with varying levels of success, so we’ll spend some time in front of the computer deciding what our next move is going to be. At the same time, we apparently had an issue with the engine in my car, so we’ll ship it back to the shop and work on it for a couple days. It may be a short week, but every member of this team is working non-stop, doing whatever they can to help get us back on track. It’s easy to say we want to win it for Ken – now it’s up to us to do it.�?? Notes for Greg Anderson & the Summit Racing Pontiac crew At The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Autograph session: Greg will be signing autographs on Thursday, April 15 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.lvms.com Anderson is a Las Vegas Headliner: This is Greg’s 19th appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his previous 16 starts, he has six wins (including four in a row in 2003 & 2004) in eight final round appearances and ten finishes of the semifinals or better. Greg’s six wins on The Strip are the most by any competitor in the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The Strip is KB Racing country: In the last 14 races contested at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Greg and his Summit Racing teammate Jason Line have combined to advance to the final round eleven times, taking home the trophy seven times. Anderson’s Vegas Qualifying Stats: Greg has been the No. 1 qualifier five times at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (in 16 career starts), with only three starts outside the top half of the field. Overall, he has an average starting spot of 4.18 in Las Vegas. Event Schedule: Friday, April 16: Two qualifying sessions at 12:30 & 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17: Two qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18: Final eliminations starting at 11:00 a.m. Television Coverage (all coverage on ESPN2): Qualifying: Saturday, April 17 – 11:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Eliminations: Sunday, April 18 – 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. RaceDay: Sunday, April 18 – 11:00 – 11:30 a.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. # # #