GREG ANDERSON

Columbus in 1998 and scored his first win in 2001 in Bristol .

The second-generation drag racer was introduced to the sport by his father , Rod Anderson , an NHRA West Central Division competitor who raced Modified Eliminator . Anderson ’ s first official job in racing was in 1979 with Pro Stock driver John Hagen , a family friend and fellow Division 5 racer . Hagen tragically lost his life in a racing incident at Brainerd International Raceway in 1983 , and it was Warren Johnson ’ s son , Kurt , who eventually convinced Anderson to return to racing .

Anderson was first a crew member , then crew chief , for Johnson , and he was on board at Warren Johnson Enterprises for 12 years . Three of Johnson ’ s six NHRA championships ( 1992 , 1993 , and 1995 ) included Anderson , who eventually took the reins of father-in-law Troy Humphrey ’ s Pro Stock car . He also drove part-time and consulted for Pro Stock veteran

Mark Pawuk .

Las Vegas-based Ken Black , along with thenpartner George Marnell , added Anderson to their team ’ s roster as crew chief and part-time driver in 2001 , and the chemistry was immediately evident . KB Racing was officially formed by Black with

Anderson in 2002 , and crew chief Rob Downing was added to the mix in 2003 . Since that time , the group has built a Pro Stock power-house that has claimed 168 national event wins and eight world championships .

Anderson is the most decorated Pro Stock driver on the current NHRA tour , and with one more victory , he will become the most winning driver of all time in the ultra-competitive category of highly horsepowered factory hot rods .

“ When you race as much as we do , you don ’ t very often stop and think about what you ’ ve accomplished ,” said Anderson . “ I don ’ t know if I ’ m in the prime of my career , but I ’ m still digging as hard as ever , and somehow , we ’ re still winning races . All of these incredible things that have been happening – including tying Warren Johnson in wins and being inducted into the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame – these are things I never planned on or even set as a goal . This is beyond anything I ever thought would happen .” DI

22 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 171