Joliet II: Greg Anderson eliminations summary

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Greg Anderson, driver of the Vegas General Construction Pontiac Grand Am started todays 3rd annual Car Quest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals from the top spot on the Pro Stock ladder. Anderson earned his tenth pole of the season when he drove his Grand Am to a 6.739 / 205.07 mph resetting both the track speed and ET records.

Sunday morning Anderson met the number 16 qualifier Mark Whisnant. An over anxious Whisnant red lit handing the win to Anderson. Anderson ran 6.722 / 204.82 mph to a red lighting Whisnant who ran a 6.808 / 203.31 mph.

In Round 2 Anderson raced Darrell Alderman. The two where dead even off the starting line, but Alderman did not have enough to get around Anderson. Anderson ran a 6.729 / 204.85 to defeat Alderman with a 6.764 / 203.74 mph.

In the semi-finals, Anderson met Larry Morgan. With an almost perfect reaction time of .001 of a second, Morgan took the lead at the starting line, but it would not be enough to hold off Anderson. Anderson passed Morgan at 300 feet and held the lead to the finish line. Anderson ran a 6.735 / 204.48 mph to defeat Morgan who ran a 6.769 / 203.92 mph.

The final round place Anderson across from Pro Stock World Champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. Anderson jumped the gun on the starting line bringing out the red. His -.001 of a second light gave the win to Coughlin. Coughlin ran a 6.749 / 203.22 mph to a defeat a quicker and faster Anderson who ran a 6.728 / 204.91 mph.

"That is a heart breaking loss," said Anderson of Charlotte, NC, "but I did it to myself. It makes me sick to think that I had him covered and gave it away on the starting line."

"The upside is that we gained a few more points on Kurt (Johnson). We moved a little closer to finishing the championship, and that is the ultimate goal."

The next race on the 2003 POWERade Drag Racing schedule the will see the series returning to Reading Pa. to contest the rained out 19th annual Lucas Oil Nationals. The race dates are October 4 and 5.

Three Semi final round appearances in 2003

(Pomona 1, Gainesville & Chicago 1)

Finished 3rd 2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Points

Career Best ET 6.670 (Englishtown 2003)*

Career Best Mile Per Hour 207.18 mph (Englishtown 2003)*

* National records

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