NHRA

Gainesville: Greg Anderson preview

Anderson Works to Reap Double Rewards in Gainesville Mooresville, N.C., March 8, 2010 -- Throughout his career, Summit Racing NHRA driver Greg Anderson has strived to make the most of any opportunity presented, using a combination of a tireless ...

Edited: Mar 11, 2010, 4:37 AM

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Anderson Works to Reap Double Rewards in Gainesville

Mooresville, N.C., March 8, 2010 -- Throughout his career, Summit Racing NHRA driver Greg Anderson has strived to make the most of any opportunity presented, using a combination of a tireless work ethic, practical knowledge and sheer determination. It is a philosophy that has served him well, as evidenced by his three Full Throttle Pro Stock championships and 60 national event wins.

Therefore, it is safe to assume that Anderson will be more than up to the unique challenge presented during this weekend's Tire Kingdom Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. Following the postponement of the final three rounds at the last event in Arizona, the remaining eight Pro Stock competitors will complete the previous race during qualifying on Friday and Saturday, before heading into the normally scheduled eliminations on Sunday, offering the potential for one driver to earn two wins in the space of three days.

"It promises to be an exciting weekend," said Anderson. "As already stated, we had some serious concerns at the last race, and were granted somewhat of a reprieve, so we arrive in Florida looking to have a track that gives everyone an equal chance. Fortunately, we usually have two fairly even lanes in Gainesville, which we hope to put to good use right away with our Summit Racing Pontiacs.

"Gainesville Raceway has historically been fast, and our KB racing team has done well there in the past, winning four of the last six, with Jason (teammate Line) getting the Gatornationals trophy a year ago. It's been a good track for us, so we're looking forward to going there and having two races in one. It won't be any different than when we have the K&N Horsepower Challenge in Norwalk (an all-star event pitting the eight top qualifiers from the last year in a three-round, winner-take-all format) so we know what it takes to win. Anytime you have the chance to bring home two Wallys in one weekend, it's big, and we certainly hope to cash in."

Even without the unusual circumstances, Anderson knows the significance of winning at the venerable Florida quarter-mile. As the traditional East Coast season-opener for the straight-line set, the "Gators", as the event is affectionately known, is among the most cherished wins in the sport, and popular with the fans, many who travel from the frigid North, just as a young aspiring driver from Minnesota did years ago. Having made his way to the Gainesville winner's circle in 2004 and 2007, he looks to score the triple at this year's running.

"The Gatornationals are one of drag racing's biggest races, and one that every driver wants on his or her resume, much like one of the majors in golf," said Anderson. "My history with this event goes back to before I was even racing. I've been coming to the Gators since I was a young whippersnapper, when I would come down with my parents to visit relatives in Florida and go to the races. It was a great way to get out of the snow banks and escape the Minnesota winter.

"Since I've actually starting racing in Gainesville, I've been fortunate to have a lot success there. It's at a time of year when it's not blazing hot in Florida, so the atmospheric conditions are good, and the racing surface can handle just about whatever you throw at it, as you can see from all the records that have been set there. There's a lot of prestige associated with this race, and it's a real feather in your cap when you win."

However, before Anderson and his KB Racing crew can set their sights on doubling up in the Sunshine State, they must first spend time with their race car, learning the effect than recent NHRA rule changes will have on its performance. Therefore, prior to arriving in Gainesville, they will spend time testing at another track.

"We have some new rules that were handed down after Phoenix that we will have to adapt to this weekend," said Anderson. "That's why we're heading to Florida a few days early so we can test in Bradenton, getting used to this new package as well as getting our Summit Racing Pontiacs to run a little better.

"We just haven't had the racetrack conditions that we'd like in the first two races, especially in terms of the available traction. Hopefully, this will be rectified in Gainesville, because I think it would tighten up the class considerably from what we saw in the first two races and produce a better show for the fans. I'd also like to finally see what this new car can do because we have yet to make a run we're completely happy with. We expect this will be our first chance to really show what we have, and with so much on the line, we want to make the most of the opportunity."

-source: kb racing

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