Wed, 27 Oct 2004, 11:17 AM Force vs. Anderson: A Battle for the Record Books

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2004 Auto Imagery, Inc. Continues At The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS --

Greg Anderson

In 1996 John Force won 13 Funny Car races throughout the 19-event NHRA season. That was the season that Force went on to earn his sixth Funny Car championship that season. Force is having another outstanding season and is one his way to clinching his 13th NHRA POWERade Funny Car world championship this season, but the record books are being re-written by another racer: Greg Anderson.

Anderson just wrapped up his second consecutive NHRA Pro Stock world championship and is now looking to add some icing to his championship cake. Anderson earned 13 wins in the first 19 as well, and is looking to raise the bar in the last two races of the season.

Anderson is set to battle nearly 40 Pro Stock entries during the fourth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 28-31, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kenny Bernstein, Tony Pedregon, Anderson and Craig Treble are the defending winners of the $1.8 million race. It is the 22nd of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The all-time mark for wins in a season is just one of several records that Anderson can attack before the end of the year. He already has the most final round appearances (17) and most No. 1 qualifiers (15, tied with Warren Johnson's 1999 season). He has posted a 68-8 eliminations record for the season, clearing his 67-11 record from 2003. But what Anderson wants most is win No. 14.

"Just to be tied with John Force for the win record is quite an accomplishment and it is something that I am very proud of," Anderson said. "But we have two races left and I think if anything, this team is more than capable of pulling out another win this season. The competition right now is tough and everyone will be looking for one more win this season, but I think that win No. 14 would be a career highlight for sure."

Anderson knows a little something about The Strip in Las Vegas. He earned the victory at the spring event at the same track and won both events in 2003. His team owner, Ken Black, is a native of Las Vegas.

"Ken always brings a lot of his employees, friends and family to the race so we always try our best to make it fun for the entire KB Racing team," Anderson said. "We've done well at that track. It's become one of my favorite stops on the schedule because we've had success in our performance on the track and we always enjoy going to a great city like Las Vegas."

John Force

On the day that Force can clinch his 13th championship, Anderson can increase another record - largest margin of victory. Force needs to just qualify for the 16-car field in order to earn his record-setting title. Anderson has a 702-point lead over second-place Jason Line, well over the category-best mark he set last season (463 over Kurt Johnson), and Force's all-time mark of 636 over Tony Pedregon in 1996.

"Maybe that's a good sign of things to come. If Force can clinch a championship, maybe it's the best time to set the win record," Anderson said. "That way he won't even notice what we're doing over in Pro Stock and we can sneak out of there with No. 14."