Greg Anderson fought off Father Time at Pomona on Sunday.
For the sixth time in his illustrious NHRA Professional Inventory profession, Anderson stands on the high of the category. In Sunday’s NHRA Finals, Anderson beat KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn in a winner-take-all last spherical for the title. Anderson began the weekend third within the championship level standings.
“I positively really feel that means,” Anderson mentioned of the sixth championship being probably the most significant due to how he needed to go about successful it. “Our class is in nice form; that’s the excellent news. We’ve obtained so many younger weapons that may drive the wheels off these race automobiles and race for wins, race for championships, and sure, they’re making an attempt to push me out the door however I’m dragging my ft. I’m not going.
“I preserve saying it when folks ask me once I’m going to give up: ‘I’m going to give up as quickly as I can’t win anyplace.’ Apparently, I can’t give up but. So, we’ll see. It’s not going to be tomorrow. Possibly three days after that, but it surely’s not going to be tomorrow.”
The day unfolded in a script-like vogue. Anderson got here into the ultimate weekend figuring out he wanted to win the occasion to win the championship. He was the No. 1 qualifier, defeated Kenny Delco within the first spherical, and met Corey Reed within the second spherical.
All three title finalists made it to the semifinals. That’s the place the drama started.
Glenn defeated Erica Enders, who would have helped her Elite Motorsports teammate Stanfield with a win mild, to advance to the ultimate. After Glenn moved on, it was the identical for Anderson, who took down level chief Stanfield.
Anderson and Glenn had been the ultimate pair to go down the monitor within the 2024 season. The margin of victory for Anderson was 0.0022 seconds.
At 63 years outdated, Anderson is now tied with Enders with six championships. The 2 are tied for second-most within the class.
Anderson and Enders have been the veteran – and dominant – leaders in Professional Inventory. However each have acknowledged the footsteps closing in from youthful, proficient drivers like Stanfield and Glenn. The 2 are usually not prepared handy issues over and have brazenly shared that they joke about protecting the success among the many two of them.
“How about that [expletive]?” Anderson mentioned a number of instances after leaving the stage. He did so with a beer in hand, tears in his eyes, sweat on his face, and champagne as an adjunct.
“It was simply all of the above, and that’s the best way it ought to be,” Anderson mentioned. “It’s what we do it for. It’s why we do it. That is why we do that. It’s an unbelievable feeling, but it surely’s not Greg Anderson. It’s KB Titan. All these nice those that work on my race crew, and I can’t thank them sufficient. They need to be up right here proper now talking. I’m a fortunate man.”
The victory was the 106th of Anderson’s profession and his first since April. It was well-received. Anderson left the stage however was unable to make it to the press room with out having to cease each few ft to signal autographs, take footage, or get hugs from everybody in his path.
“It’s cool,” Anderson mentioned. “It’s completely cool, and doubtless of their thoughts, it’s the final they had been going to see the outdated fart. So, it’s actually neat, and I can’t thank them sufficient. With out the followers, we’re nothing, they usually imply all the pieces to the game. The game is the best sport out right here as a result of we let the followers in like we do. Thank God for that, and thank God I picked this sport.”
