Six-time world champion Greg Anderson’s HendrickCars.com Chevrolet continues to be the class of the field, and the most recent proof emerged on Friday at zMAX Dragway. After two rounds of qualifying at the 16th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Anderson had max bonus points and the provisional pole – just as he has in each of the most recent two events.
“My HendrickCars.com Chevrolet is in a happy spot, and when you get ‘em that happy, don’t touch it,” said Anderson, who clocked a 6.549-second pass at 211.46 in the early session, followed by an absolutely blistering 6.498, 211.23 in the later round. The next-quickest at the conclusion of the day was Anderson’s teammate, reigning world champion Dallas Glenn, who raced to a 6.521, 210.77, with KB Titan Racing’s Matt Latino No. 3 on a 6.527. The two-hundredths of a second difference between No. 1 and No. 2 is sizable, but the top spot isn’t yet secure; Anderson will have to keep the pace on Saturday as two more sessions are on the schedule.
“That one felt pretty good going down the track,” said Anderson, who joked that when he was told there was a 6.49 on the timeslip, he questioned whether or not it was his or one of the other drivers in the quad.
“That was better than I thought we could run, but the numbers matched, and obviously I have a great hot rod this weekend,” he continued. “We got all the goody out of that one, and that’s great with Mr. H [Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports] out here watching. We did good there, and we’re on the pole tonight with the HendrickCars.com Chevy. Tomorrow is looking good for another great day.”
Saturday will also bring the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, the specialty race that pits the semifinalists from the previous race against one another for bragging rights and bonus points that will come into play when the Countdown to the Championship kicks begins. Anderson is set to square off with Greg Stanfield in the Challenge, and he’ll also be doing his best to keep hold of the No. 1 spot. If it holds, it will be Anderson’s third consecutive pole and the 143rd of his career.
Pro Stock qualifying and the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge are scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. ET Saturday at zMAX Dragway, with final qualifying and the #2Fast2Tasty final to take place at 3:45.
