Anderson regains Pro Stock points lead

Reports of Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson’s demise were premature.

The three-time NHRA champion had a big lead after 17 races in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series. But he fell into somewhat of funk while Dave Connolly reeled off five consecutive event victories heading into the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

During Connolly’s Pro Stock record-tying run, he defeated Anderson in three final rounds, and Anderson didn’t get past the first round at the last race two weeks ago.

But the momentum shifted Sunday when Anderson defeated Connolly teammate Jeg Coughlin for his eighth title of the season.

It put Anderson back in first place heading into next week’s season finale at Pomona, Calif., 24 points ahead of Coughlin and 48 in front of third-place Connolly, who came to Las Vegas with a 10-point lead.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve had fun, and that was fun,” said Anderson, who also won in April at Las Vegas.

Anderson lost a 174-point lead when the points were reset to start the new Countdown to the Championship, but Connolly’s streak would have narrowed the gap to 24 under the old points system anyway.

“We knew we couldn’t come in here and win the championship, but we could come here and lose it,” Anderson said.

He dedicated his 51st career titles to crew chief Rob Downing and said it was the car that won this one. Anderson’s team made 21 runs over three days of testing two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“(Downing) did an awesome job all weekend. He carried this race. We now have one down and one to go.”

• PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE — Andrew Hines won for the fifth time this year, defeating No. 1-qualifier Chip Ellis in the final round.

Hines increased his lead to 39 points over Ellis and can win his fourth consecutive championship in Pomona. Hines is 7-0 against Ellis.

• LOCALS — Justin Lamb, 20, had the best showing of Southern Nevada racers. He lasted until the sixth round of Super Stock eliminations in his Chevrolet Cobalt.

• OTHER WINNERS — Other event champions were Bo Butner (Competition Eliminator), Ryan McClanathan (Super Stock), Dan Fletcher (Stock Eliminator) and Kevin Moor (Super Gas).

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0247.