Championship Drag Racing

O'Reilly NHRA
Summer Nationals
Topeka
(May 22-25)

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Greg Anderson Vegas General Construction Cavalier

Reports: Saturday Pre-race

Topeka, Saturday: Greg Anderson, driver of the Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am, has done it again. For the third consecutive race, Anderson has placed his Grand Am on the top of the Pro Stock Eliminations ladder. Sunday morning Anderson will assume the Number 1 position at the 15th annual O'Reilly Summer National in Topeka, Kan.

In the Friday evening session of qualifying Anderson recorded a 6.825 / 202.15 mph to take the number 1 position, and set both new track ET and Speed records. Sunday morning Anderson will meet V. Gaines in Round 1.

"Number 1 again," said Anderson of Charlotte, NC," That is a real testament of what a great team I have.

"This Vegas General Construction team is awesome. I cannot say enough about them. Once again, they gave me a great racecar to drive. They are making me look good that's for sure.

"I have a great racecar, but tomorrow I will have to do my job. Gaines is a tough competitor. Every driver qualified here this weekend is tough or they would not be here. I have to remember that, and be prepared."

Topeka, pre-race: Greg Anderson, driver of the Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am, arrives at this weekends 15th annual O'Reilly Summer National in Topeka, Kan., hot off a record setting performance in Englishtown, N.J.

When Anderson and his Vegas General Construction team roll into Topeka, they will have lots to brag about. Not only did they win last weekend event, but also they arrive in Topeka No. 1 in the NHRA Pro Stock points. If that is not enough to be proud of the team can also claim both the NHRA Pro Stock national e.t. and speed records; 6.670/207.18 mph.

"Not a bad day at the office," said Anderson of Charlotte, NC. "My team and I did a great job last weekend, but that was last weekend, and this is now. We cannot think about that now, we have a bigger job ahead of us.

"Don't get me wrong. Winning the race and setting records is great. I love it. There is nothing better, but I am also a realist. I am well aware that if we slack off even a little bit, that there are 40 other guys racing in this class that would like to take it all away from me. We want to win more races, and I think we will, but our focus is on winning the championship.

"We come into Topeka leading the POWERade Pro Stock points, but Warren and Kurt (Johnson) are nipping at my heals. Jeg (Coughlin) and (Jim) Yates are right there as well. The Dodge cars, they are tough. Realistically, about 10 guys are serious contenders for the title. I cannot take a single on of them for granted.

"What is going to take win this Pro Stock championship is consistency. The team and the driver that consistently qualifies and goes rounds on Sunday that will be the team who will take home the big prize in Pomona. I am confident that this Vegas General Construction team has what it takes to go the distance. My Team owner Ken Black and myself have put together one hard working, determined group of guys. Everyone on this team wants it as bad as I do, and that is what is going to push us over the top.

"I am concerned about Topeka. I need to master that place. Last year I did not fare very well there, but it was my first crack at the place. This year I believe we will do better, because we found something while we where in Englishtown.

"All season long we have been seriously lacking in our 60 foot times. We have been working very hard to try to pick it up. Last weekend we made huge gains on the car. We finally got low gear figured out, and it showed in our performance. If we can apply what we learn last weekend to the racetrack in Topeka, I think we should be able to master this track also, but we will just have to wait and see.

"There are no constants in Pro Stock racing. The one thing you can count on is that it is very easy to loose, and very hard to win. As good as we were last weekend, we could be just as bad this weekend. With hundredths of a second splitting the top of the field from the bottom: one mistake, one little bobble, and you are the hero that went to zero.

"With that in mind, we know that we have to be as good as we can be every pass at every race, just like we have been doing all season. If we keep digging, I know we will be okay this weekend in Topeka."