By Briar Starr, NHRA Staff Writer
In continuation of the Kickin’ The Tires Question and Answers series, this week Kickin’ The Tires catches up with the Wally all-time win leader in NHRA Pro Stock history Greg Anderson. Anderson has competed in the Pro Stock category since 1998 and since then, has built an illustrious career with 99 career victories and recently, passing his mentor Warren Johnson last summer.
During this interview, Anderson recounts some of his favorite memories during his career such as his best season in racing, favorite Countdown moments, and his favorite Wally in his collection among many other moments throughout his career.
Kickin’ The Tires:
You’ve competed in 508 Pro Stock races since 1998. During your 24 years of racing, which do you feel was your best season and why?
Greg Anderson:
“2004 because we won 15 races, which was the most ever in a season by anyone, and we also won the SPEED Channel Driver of the Year award that year,” Anderson said. We beat all the NASCAR and Indy drivers. Shocked the world.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Since 2007 when the NHRA playoffs were initiated, you’ve made the Countdown every year and have 14 wins, 11 runner-up finishes, and 16 No. 1 qualifiers. Out of those 14 wins, which win is the most special win you’ve achieved?
Greg Anderson:
“The Countdown, to me, has kind of been a double-edged sword,” the 99-time Pro Stock winner said. “Sometimes I’ve felt that if you’re going to be the champion, you need to prove all year long that you can conquer every type of racetrack – not just those six at the end of the year. I’ve gone into the Countdown leading and lost, and I’ve gone into it behind and won, so it’s worked both in our favor and against us. I’m not the biggest fan of the Countdown, but that’s how it is. Getting back to the most special win: You can’t replace the first championship. That’s the best one. I’m also very proud of the one we got in 2021 because of the advanced age I’m at, but you still can’t replace your first one. That’s the most special.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
At one moment during a driver’s career, they usually experience an explosion in the car, the body flying off, etc. In your career, what’s a scary moment that you’ve experienced that you hope to never experience again?
Greg Anderson:
“That would’ve been in 2003 in Chicago when I went on my lid,” Anderson said. “I actually didn’t end up hitting anything, I just skidded on my lid down the racetrack like a top and came to rest without even touching the guard rail. That was an eye-opener for me; I had never experienced it before, so I had no idea what it was going to feel like. Everything went quiet. That was probably the worst time I’ve had on a racetrack. It doesn’t really compare to some of the wild rides some of these other people have had, but so far, luckily, that’s the closest I’ve come to any type of real injury.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Most drivers have their “Welcome to NHRA moment.” For you, when did you have that moment and how did you take that learning lesson moving forward? Would you say Englishtown was your learning moment?
Greg Anderson:
“I forget exactly what year it was, but I believe it was 1998 or 1999 I was racing for my wife’s family under Troy Humphrey Motorsports,” he said. “I was basically just beginning to learn how to drive and compete. I made the final round in Indianapolis, and I matched up in the final round with my old boss, Warren Johnson. He absolutely schooled me and showed me that you, son, are not ready to win Indy. That was a definite wake-up call. I was starting to think I was something cool by making the final, but he pulled the rug out from under me and proved I wasn’t quite ready for it.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If your driving career was over tomorrow, but you had the option to stay in the sport, what would your other career choice be if you stuck around in motorsports? Would it be a crew chief, team owner, engineer, or specialist?
Greg Anderson:
“Well, I happen to wear a lot of those hats already,” he said. “I guess when the day comes that I have to stop driving, I’m going to be team manager. I probably wouldn’t go back to the crew chief role; those days have passed. But I will definitely be team manager and engine builder and all of the other hats I wear around the KB Racing shop. The only thing that will change is that I won’t be sitting behind the steering wheel.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Sometimes people get mistaken for other people and that especially happens in racing a lot. Have you ever been mistaken for someone else while at the drag strip and if so, who?
Greg Anderson:
“Tom Selleck and Ben Stiller, I get those two comments a lot.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If you could relieve one moment in your career, what moment are you choosing to relieve and why?
Greg Anderson:
“The first race I won, was at Bristol in 2001,” Anderson said. “That was a special day. I was driving a car owned by George Marnell – it was a backup car, and I was basically running it for R&D. We were getting more laps on the racetrack and learning how to do things right for the No. 1 car, which was George Marnell’s car. But we performed well all weekend long, and we found ourselves all the way to the victory circle. That was probably the coolest day I’ve had at a racetrack. I was certainly an underdog and not expected to win, and I did.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
You have 119 No. 1 qualifiers in your Pro Stock career with your first coming in 2001 Atlanta. Favorite No. 1 qualifier?
Greg Anderson:
“The first is always the best.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
99 victories in your career. Favorite Wally in your collection that means the most to you?
Greg Anderson:
“The first U.S. Nationals I won, he said. “I’ve always believed that Indy is a very special race, and it was something that was worth tenfold winning any other event. I felt that way when I was a crew chief, and I certainly feel that way as a driver. That first win at Indy is still the coolest trophy ever.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
I am sure there are many other achievements that you would like to cross off the list before you retire. However, is there a bucket list item that you want complete before retirement?
Greg Anderson:
“I suppose there is only one left: I need to get that 100th win,” Anderson said. “I was hoping and praying that I’d have it by now, but I don’t – and I’m obviously going to have to work awful hard to get it, but that’s the way it should be. I’m telling you, I am going to get it. And when I do, that’s probably going to be the last great hurdle to get over, the last thing on the bucket list. I’ll still enjoy racing and still enjoy trying to win every day, but as far as setting milestones or records, that will probably be the last big one for me.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
A favorite race that you will always remember well after you retire?
Greg Anderson:
“The first win at Bristol in 2001.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
What would you say is the best car that you’ve driven in your career but were not able to pull off the victory?
Greg Anderson:
“Fortunately, we have been able to win in every racecar we’ve raced over a 20-year span that we’ve had KB Racing,” he said. “Every car I’ve piloted I’ve been able to find my way to the victory circle.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
“Let’s say someone is going to play you in a racing movie. What would the title of the movie be and who is going to play Greg Anderson?
Greg Anderson:
“It would have to be someone pretty hard-headed, no question about that,” the all-time Pro Stock winner said. “I’m not quite sure who the most stubborn movie star is out there are these days. I’m sure there are a lot of them, but it would have to be someone very hard-headed, someone, who wants to work hard and win by hard work and determination.”
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