Sat, 26 Jun 2010, 06:42 PM Anderson Wins Third K&N Horsepower Challenge

By Kelly Wade Photo copyright 2010 Auto Imagery, Inc.

NORWALK, Ohio --

Anderson celebrates win.

The eagerly awaited 26th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge, contested at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, culminated in the pairing of two of Pro Stock's most revered competitors, reigning Full Throttle Series champion Mike Edwards and three-time Pro Stock world titlist Greg Anderson. In the final, Anderson was superior at the tree and cashed in at the top end, winning his third K&N Horsepower Challenge in six attempts on a well-timed holeshot.

The event within an event pitted eight of Pro Stock's finest against one another with bragging rights and a $50,000 bonus on the line. Edwards, Anderson, Allen Johnson, Jason Line, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Ron Krisher, and Rodger Brogdon each earned a spot in the competition based on points earned at Full Throttle Series races since the previous bonus event, and the eighth position, decided by the fans, was awarded to Warren Johnson in the final hours of voting.

In the first pair to take to the track in the opening round, Anderson's Summit Racing teammate Line, a two-time K&N Horsepower Challenge runner-up, was nearly a hundredth quicker off the starting line, but defending event champ Coughlin, a three-time winner tied with Line for the No. 4 spot entering the event, crossed the finish line first, 6.661 to 6.695.

Participating in the event for the seventh time, 2008 Challenge winner Allen Johnson qualified third and drew No. 6 starter and six-time event participant Krisher first round. Krisher, in his Mike Edwards-powered Cobalt, had the quicker car, but A.J. was better at the tree for a holeshot win, 6.673 to 6.647.

Anderson vs. Edwards

After watching the two previous pairs, No. 2 qualifier Anderson, with lane choice, opted for a last minute switcheroo with opponent Brogdon, a first-time player in the event who was starting from the seventh spot after just edging Greg Stanfield during qualifying in Bristol the weekend prior. Anderson cut a .039 light and raced to a 6.683, utilizing the holeshot to better Brogdon's .065 reaction and quicker 6.667.

Runaway points leader Edwards, polesitter 18 times in the past 24 races, pulled to the starting line next to fan-favorite and 24-time K&N Horsepower Challenge competitor Warren Johnson. A seven-time finalist in the event with three previous wins, W.J.'s .100 launch and 6.671 couldn't hold a candle to Edwards' dominating .013 and low of the round 6.634.

Anderson earned his ticket to the big money round when he was first off the starting line and first to the finish to end A.J.'s hopes of another victory, and on the other side of the ladder, Edwards got the nod when Coughlin succumbed to tire shake after clocking a characteristic .009 reaction.

The final-round meeting marked the first time Edwards and Anderson had ever paired up in any round of the K&N Horsepower Challenge, and in regular competition, Edwards led Anderson 3-1 in title rounds, with Anderson leading 31-13 in overall head-to-head matches.

Anderson's victory was a welcome reprieve in the midst of a troubling yet improving season that had yet to include a trip to the winner's circle.

"When I saw this trophy and these rings on the stage this morning, I thought they were the coolest things I've ever seen in my life," said Anderson, who scored the specialty event title over teammate Line in 2006 and Dave Connolly in 2004. "I said to myself, I have no idea how I'm going to do it, but I've got to get that hood scoop trophy. I still don't know how it happened, I really don't. We had a decent car today, and I drove decent, but neither one was great. Somehow, the timing was right every round and it was just enough to win.

Anderson and crew celebrates win.

"It was a crazy day for me. I haven't been brimming with confidence lately. My guys kept telling me, 'I promise you, we're going to win this thing; stop acting like we can't win or we won't.' I apologize to all my guys, because they are right. I've got to start thinking more positive because if you don't think positive, you're not going to win it. Just because of my guys cheering me up and telling me we were going to win when I got into the car, I was able to actually think that when I staged up there.

"I just didn't know what it was going to take, what the secret would be to getting to the winner's circle this year. I think our season is going to change starting right now, and I'll be able to look back and say that this is what changed our season and finally got us going. My hat's off to both K&N and Summit Racing Equipment. Together, they got it done, and I thank them for the great support."

Final round-by-round results from the 26th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.

ROUND ONE -- Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Cobalt, 6.661, 207.30 def. Jason Line, Pontiac GXP, 6.695, 206.29; Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.673, 208.17 def. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.647, 207.72; Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.683, 206.13 def. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.667, 206.67; Mike Edwards, GXP, 6.634, 208.01 def. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.671, 207.69;

SEMIFINALS -- Anderson, 6.671, 206.32 def. A. Johnson, 6.712, 207.59; Edwards, 6.659, 207.78 def. Coughlin, 6.944, 206.07;

FINAL -- Anderson, 6.685, 206.23 def. Edwards, 6.677, 207.11.