Fri, 17 Sep 2021, 13:55 PM Points Leaders Greg Anderson and Steve Johnson Focused on More Success

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2021 Auto Imagery, Inc. At DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals

Greg Anderson celebrates 97th career victory.

CONCORD, N.C. - After tying an incredible mark in Pro Stock less than a week ago, Greg Anderson will now have the chance to make history at this weekend's DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The four-time NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world champ tied Warren Johnson for the most wins in Pro Stock history by opening the Countdown to the Championship with his 97th career victory and he won't have to wait long to attempt to garner another to set the all-time mark in the class.

After a dominant start to the 2021 campaign, Anderson had to wait four months before tying Johnson and now the Pro Stock points leader will get the chance to break the record in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. As if that moment isn't big enough, Anderson will have the chance to do it close to home this weekend and in front of his sponsor, Rick Hendrick. It adds up to a special opportunity for Anderson, who knows he will have to be on point to make it happen.

Greg Anderson

"I'm going to my home track and I'm going to have a ton of fans, we get to race in front of Mr. Hendrick and we just can't wait. I can't think of a better place to try and break the record," Anderson said. "The car is just bad to the bone and it's a pleasure to drive. The better the race car is, the better you should be able to do as a driver. We've got five more tries to see what we can do to try and win a championship. I like our chances and we're going to see if we can get it done. It's so hard to win out here and the competition is so great. You just can't make mistakes."

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of the 2019 event. This year's race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and FOX, including live final eliminations coverage on FOX starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Sept. 19. It is the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship for both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Anderson will try to win for a second straight playoff race.

Greg Anderson defeated Erica Enders

To do so, he'll like have to contend with defending champ Erica Enders, who advanced to the final round in Reading, as well as young standouts like rookie Dallas Glenn, who won the four-wide race at zMAX Dragway in May, Kyle Koretsky, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield. Anderson pushed his lead to 41 points over Enders heading to Charlotte, but getting too concerned with that can be detrimental. The four-time world champ has learned that lesson over the years, choosing to focus on his own performance.

"It's a good start, and yes, everyone in the Countdown to the Championship has that one big goal in mind, but you just have to stay focused on your own game," said Anderson. "You run your own lane every round, and you have to forget that there's even somebody in the other lane. It doesn't matter who you're racing or what the points are at any given time. You're racing that Christmas tree and that racecar. If you do anything other than that, you're going to mess up. I just have to stick to my game."

Steve Johnson and crew celebrate Reading win.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Steve Johnson is in the points lead for the first time ever in the Countdown to the Championship and the first time overall since he won the opening race of the 2014 season. Following his victory in Reading, Johnson is feeling good on his Mac Rak/Slick 50 Suzuki and he's heading to a facility where he's already won this year. Johnson impressed on every level at the four-wide race in May and he's continued to prove he's a championship contender in the talent-heavy class.

That win earlier this year was his first victory since that 2014 triumph in Gainesville, but Johnson has clearly found a winning formula on his new four-valve Suzuki. He'll have plenty of momentum back in Charlotte, but there's plenty to be decided in the two-wheeled category. Johnson leads defending world champ Matt Smith by just 12 points and Eddie Krawiec is only 36 points back heading into zMAX Dragway, with the veteran also having to deal with the likes of Angelle Sampey, Angie Smith and Scotty Pollacheck. Johnson, though, is focused on constant improvement and hopes that leads to more success in Charlotte.

"I've been racing a long time and have never led in the Countdown, so that's pretty awesome," Johnson said. "We learn so much and it makes you better. You can always learn and there's just a wealth of knowledge in the pits. Clearly, you want to be leading the points and it gives you an advantage, but it really just boils down to the process. There's always an opportunity to learn. You have to be dedicated to working and open to learning."

Steve Torrence

Top Fuel points leader Torrence is looking to continue his reign of dominance at zMAX Dragway, where he has five straight wins. Another one would put him on track for a fourth world title, but trying to stop is a host of championship hopefuls, including Brittany Force, who has dominated in qualifying, Antron Brown, Leah Pruett and Reading winner Billy Torrence.

Robert Hight

Hight won in 2019 in Funny Car and he would love to grab another one as the action heats up in the loaded class. His teammate, the legendary John Force, currently leads in points, but defending world champ Matt Hagan is just five points back and Ron Capps trails Force by only 15 points.

The DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, which will have its eighth of 11 races in 2021. Jose Gonzalez is the current points leader as he seeks his first world title. The event also includes the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where the future stars of the sport earn their racing stripes.

After nitro qualifying on Friday, stick around to a thrilling jet car exhibition. "The Diamond Jim Racing" jet Funny Car and "Mustang Sally" Jet Funny Car will both make runs on Friday. The Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock Association will also make exhibition runs during the weekend.

As always, fans are granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds.

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 17 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 and 5:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 19.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-455-FANS (3267). Tickets also are available online at www.zmaxdragway.com.