Four-time champion Greg Anderson is a win away from tying Warren Johnson for the most national event wins in NHRA Pro Stock history. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
You don't have to remind 60-year-old NHRA Pro Stock legend Greg Anderson how old he is or that many of his racing contemporaries stepped out of the driver's seat long ago.
But the bottom line is that Anderson, one win away from trying the record for the most Pro Stock victories in NHRA history, will continue to race as long as he's competitive.
"It's funny because once in a while I realize how old I am, but most of the time I forget about it because I'm out here doing what I love to do and I'm having fun at it and I'm still able to race and win, so I don't feel like my age,'' said Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock champ and a winner of 96 national events. "If I didn't have this racing occupation right now and be able to be out here, then I'd probably feel my age, but I don't because I'm out here and I'm out here competing. I'm lucky.
"I've said it a million times, but I'm going to get out of this game when I can't win anymore. When I get to the point where I just physically can't win anymore, I'm getting out. I'll get out of the seat and I'll do something else. I'll still work on them and I'll still be around it and build engines and cars and things, but I won't drive them anymore.
"I won't stay past my time, but the cool thing is I don't think I'm past my time yet. I think I'm still able to win, I'm still able to hang with these young cats out here so as long as I can do that I'm going to stay out here. I don't know if that's six days or six years, I honestly don't know. I'm just going to ride the train as long as I can.''
NHRA Pro Stock star Greg Anderson visits with fans Saturday at Heartland Motorsports Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Anderson, driver of the Hendrick Automotive Group Chevrolet Camaro for KB Racing, entered this weekend as the Pro Stock points leader by 126 points, but said that nothing has come easy.
"It's kind of cool to look around and see all these young whipper-snappers,'' Anderson said. "They come out here and they race and they have zero fear. They could care less who I am or how many races I've won or whatever. They could actually care less.
"They just want to go kick my ass, and it's as simple as that. It's cool to see and it definitely makes it harder to win, but that's what's making the class better right now. It's what is making the sport great, so I'm happy to still be a part of it.''
While Anderson is chasing his fifth world title, he's also chasing drag racing history, with his next victory tying him with his former boss and mentor, Warren Johnson (97 victories), for the No. 1 spot on Pro Stock's all-time win list.
Anderson said he's tried to concentrate on what he needs to do in his car to win and not on what that win would mean.
"The main reason I come to these races is to win a race,'' Anderson said. "That's me, that's what I love to do, that's what I get the enjoyment out of, regardless of what number it is and how many it is. I'm all about the immediate and the immediate is to win the next race. That's why I come.
"Obviously to win that many races means you have had a long, successful career. You weren't just a flash in the pan. You just didn't have a good year or two. I've had a lot of great years in a row, so I'm very proud of that, but I'd rather not think about that number until I'm retired. If it's 97 or if it's 120, then I'll think about what that number means I guess.''
But Anderson also can't ignore the fact that the driver he's chasing is someone he helped win three Pro Stock championships as a crew chief before switching to the driver's seat in 1998.
"Does it mean more that it's WJ? Absolutely,'' Anderson said. "I spent 12 years with him and I learned so much from him. I went through his college for 12 years. It was great years and I would not be where I'm at if it wasn't for that.
"That was a great learning experience for me. It was a great college, it's as simple as that. It was WJ University and I think learned a ton and I would not have anything I have right now, all these wins and this Pro Stock race team, if it wasn't for that experience and if it wasn't for things he did for me. My hat's off to him and that would make it more special to break his record.''
