Greg Anderson has enjoyed as much success as nearly everyone in NHRA history. But this year’s sixth Pro Stock championship might have been the most meaningful accomplishment of his stellar career.
Anderson got the situation he longed craved for – a winner-take-all final round in Pomona – and the veteran delivered in a major way, defeating KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn in a thriller with a run of 6.501-seconds at 211.30 mph in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to narrowly defeat Glenn’s 6.516.
It handed the driver with the most wins in Pro Stock history (106) an unbelievable moment.
“I definitely feel that way,” Anderson said. “Our class is in good shape, that’s the good news. We’ve got so many young guns who can drive the wheels off these things and they’re racing for wins and championships. Yes, they’re trying to push me out the door, but I’m dragging my feet. People ask me when I’m going to quit and I’ll quit when I can’t win anymore. Apparently, I can’t quit yet. It’s not going to be tomorrow.”
With his sixth world championship, Anderson ties longtime rival Erica Enders and legend Warren Johnson for the second-most titles in Pro Stock history.
This one will certainly go down as one of the most remarkable, as both young standouts Glenn and Aaron Stanfield seemed to take control this season and during the Countdown to the Championship.
Anderson won early, taking victories in Phoenix and the 4-Wide race in Charlotte, the latter which handed him the points lead. That only lasted a race, but Anderson stayed in the top four throughout the regular season as his car took a handful of No. 1 qualifiers. He lost in the final round at Bristol and then entered the Countdown to the Championship third in points.
Anderson advanced to the semifinals at the first three playoff races and then made it to the finals in both Dallas and Las Vegas, qualifying No. 1 at both races. Each race ended in defeat, though, as the championship seemed to be slipping from his grasp.
Stanfield won in Vegas, taking over the points lead with Glenn not far behind. Anderson knew he needed Pomona magic and, lo and behold, everything seemed to go his way at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. He qualified No. 1 and then the eliminations ladder broke down almost perfectly, as Anderson could potentially face Stanfield in the semifinals and Glenn in the finals.
He knew if he won the race the championship was his and the veteran went to work, dipping into the 6.40s during the first three rounds on Sunday. That included an impressive 6.488 against Stanfield, setting up the incredible teammate versus teammate, winner-take-all scenario in the final round.
Anderson had just enough to track down Glenn, ensuring the veterans still had the final say in the class. Since 2018, either Anderson or Enders have won every Pro Stock title, with Anderson winning twice in that span.
By winning his sixth world title, he also gave KB Titan Racing its 10th overall championship.
Glenn, who won five races, wound up second, while Stanfield led the class with six triumphs and finished third in the points.
Enders was fourth, despite winning only once.
The Points
Greg Anderson 2,714
Dallas Glenn 2,703
Aaron Stanfield 2,702
Erica Enders 2,570
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 2,425
Matt Hartford 2,355
Cristian Cuadra 2,339
Jerry Tucker 2,263
Troy Coughlin Jr. 2,254
Eric Latino 2,238
Winners
Aaron Stanfield 6
Dallas Glenn 5
Jeg Coughlin Jr. 4
Greg Anderson 3
Troy Coughlin 1
Erica Enders 1
