KB Titan’s Greg Anderson claimed a record 105th national event win driving his Charlotte-based and sponsored Rick Hendrick Chevy Camaro. The Pro Stock legend was competing in the 4-wide Nationals at Charlotte’s zMax Raceway.
The spectacular final featured Aaron Stanfield, Anderson and teammate Dallas Glenn with the low ET going to the 4th placed entry of Christian Quadro. His Frank Iaconio / Kenny Lee Quadro family Mustang entry went down the track in 6.495 seconds.
Anderson’s 6.502 second ET outdistanced Stanfield’s 6.56 second and Glenn’s 6.549 second runs. .01 second reaction times by Anderson and Stanfield and a slower .08 RT by Quadro produced Pro Stock’s best-ever 4-wide final!
Sienna Wildgust had a good weekend qualifying 16th in the largest Pro field at Charlotte, and KB Titan principle, Eric Latino (Port Perry, ON) once again advanced to the Semi Final Pro Stock quad.
In Top Fuel ‘Quad 1,’ Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame member Rob Flynn led his Jasmine Salinas-driven, Mike Salinas-owned Scrappers entry to low ET (3.70 seconds). Also advancing was world champion Doug Kalitta with a 3.79 second ET.
Both Dan Mercier (3.83 seconds) and Cody Krohn (in the Paton Racing family Top Fuel dragster) made excellent showings in their first round quads, but only the top two entries advanced from each.
In Top Alcohol Dragster, Ontario’s Jeff Veale – despite an excellent 5.278 second ET at 280.14 mph – did not advance to the final quad, which was won by Ohio’s Mike Coughlin.
As in the Pro Stock final, the other event finalists featured some of the closest, most dramatic races in 4-wide history!
In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley defeated Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown. His ETs of 3.71 and 3.72 seconds reigned supreme!
In Nitro Funny Car, a Matt Hagan initiated 3.94 holeshot upset first-time finalist Daniel Wilkerson’s quicker 3.92 second ET. J.R. Todd and John Force were the other Quad 4 finalists.
An interesting addendum had Pro Mod legend Rickie Smith racing in Competition Eliminator with his Pro Mod Camaro. He won his 20th NHRA national event with a 5.781 pass at 249 mph, subsequently destroying the category’s index.
Also in action this weekend, at Budd’s Creek, MD, the North East Outlaws Pro Mod Association (NEOPMA) season opener saw Ontario racer Jay Santos guide his supercharged ’69 Camaro to a win over Quebec’s Cedric Beaulieu’s twin turbo Camaro in their first round pairing. Sudbury’s Luis Ouimette also competed at Royce Miller’s legendary Maryland International Raceway.
Our 24 drag racing season is now officially in full swing! Be sure to watch InsideTrackNews.com for regular updates and reports. Please send notes and comments to johnlwaldie@hotmail.com.
