Briar Starr, Staff Writer
The 2022 NHRA Camping World Series has not been an easy one for the 2021 Pro Stock Series Champion Greg Anderson and the Mile High Nationals just continued to pile on.
After winning five races in 2021, Anderson came into 2022 seeking his 100th career victory coming off a championship season. However, that historic 100th victory has not happened yet. In fact, up to the Mile High Nationals this past weekend, Anderson has not yet scored a No. 1 qualifier this season whereas last year by this time, he had six No. 1 qualifiers.
More importantly, the Minnesota native has struggled this season while trying to find something to help break him through to the path of victory lane. It’s been uncharacteristic, to say the least for Anderson, who only has two semi-finals appearances that occurred at the first Pomona race weekend and Houston. Heading into Denver, he was looking to turn things around entering Sunday with the No. 9 qualifier facing Bo Butner in the first round.
Unfortunately, Anderson’s day was once again cut short with a first-round loss to Bo Butner. Butner eliminated Anderson with a 7.015 second and 195.87 mph run to Anderson’s 7.847 second and 133.59 mph run. Even though Butner was quicker than Anderson, the KB Racing team attributed the problem due to a mechanical malfunction.
“We had a chance, but really, at that point, there just isn’t anything you can do,” he said. “We’re disappointed, of course, but there isn’t any time to hang our heads. We’ve got to get to Sonoma and get back on track.”
Despite the first-round exit, Anderson leaves the Mile High Nationals fifth in the Pro Stock standings. The team now looks forward to going to the Sonoma Nationals this weekend, where Anderson had a semi-final loss to Aaron Stanfield last year.