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Monday, August 17, 2009
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Anderson's title proves bittersweet LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS Sports Editor Greg Anderson isn't conditioned to making an occasional trip to the winners' circle.
The Duluth native is one of the most successful Pro Stock Car racers in NHRA history. He has won three season championships, had nine seasons with one event win and owns the top career winning percentage of any professional driver in any class.
This season has been somewhat frustrating for Anderson, who didn't record his first win until Sunday in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The best he had finished before Sunday was second twice.
But Sunday's win was bittersweet as he had to better Summit Racing teammate Jason Line, who's from Wright, about 35 miles west of Duluth.
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Greg Anderson looked skyward after winning the Pro Stock title Sunday in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Anderson beat teammate Jason Line in the final. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"A little bit of me feels sad that I beat him but you're competitors, you're racers," Anderson said. "You better have that eye of the tiger and you better be ruthless when go out there or you're not going to win in this class. Unfortunately, it came down to one of us had to lose."
Anderson powered his way to Sunday's title with an elapsed time of 6.641 at 207.53 mph. Line finished second with a 6.655 ET at 207.30 mph.
"I was proud to race him in the final," Anderson said. "It's a neat deal. We put on a good show for the fans. It came down to how it should have, decided by a couple inches."
Line had been to the finals seven times this season, and had won four. He beat Anderson for the title three weeks ago at Sonoma, Calif., but Anderson had beaten him eight of the 12 times they had met in previous finals.
"I am happy for Greg, and the rest of our team to win a race," said Line, who has yet to win at BIR In Pro Stock. "It's a big deal. The competitive side of me wanted to win too, but I will have more shots at it.
"I really wanted to win the trophy for my friend that I raced for this weekend, the guy that's got cancer. I wanted to give him the trophy, but it didn't work out. Either way it's still a great day for all of us."
The victory was Anderson's first since winning twice in 2008 at Pomona.
"It seems like it's the first one of my life," he said. "It's been a long dry spell, without a doubt. You start doubting yourself, I know I certainly was. Everybody tells you've got to stop thinking about it, you've got to stop worrying about it. They're right, but that's easier said than done, and I've struggled with that this year.
"It looks like I'm finally getting my mind straightened out. Believe me a big part of this game is mind control. It is in any sport, I guess, but it certainly is out here. The mind is a terrible thing sometimes but it looks like I'm getting a hold of it."
Pro Stock Car
Highlight: Greg Anderson edged teammate Jason Line for the title.
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In the semifinals, Anderson beat Allen Johnson with a reaction time of .012 to .059. Johnson lost despite the quicker ET (6.655 to 6.661).
In the other semifinal, Line beat Mike Edwards, the top qualifier entering final eliminations and second in season points, with a reaction time of .006 to Edwards' .058. Edwards had the faster ET (6.630 to 6.659) but was denied a trip to the finals.
The win over Edwards moved Line into second place in season points and qualified him for his fifth straight trip to the finals.
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerd dispatch.com and at 855-5861.
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