Two weeks ago on Sunday in Gainesville, six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson’s HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro was ultra-fast and extra hungry, and that’s exactly how it showed up at Firebird Motorsports Park for the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals. Throughout qualifying, his hot rod continued to stun with stellar performances that bested the field and landed Anderson the 141st No. 1 qualifier award of his career.
After throwing down the quickest qualifying runs in both rounds on Friday (6.552 and 6.602), Anderson returned on Saturday with ample horsepower that he and the KB Titan Racing braintrust aptly applied to the hottest racing surface of the year. The 9:30 a.m. qualifying session there on day two of the second race of the 2026 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season saw Anderson nearly take flight as he raced to a 6.532-second jaunt that would stand as best overall when all four sessions were in the bank.
“We just keep working on it and working on it, and it’s getting a little bit better and a little bit better,” said Anderson, who put up a 6.584 in the final session and earned top bonus points (12 in all) with the quickest Pro Stocker in each of the four qualifying rounds. “Apparently, my HendrickCars.com Chevy likes the heat out here, and I haven’t wilted yet. Hopefully, that’s a great combination for Sunday.”
Anderson arrived in Phoenix with a solid recent history there in the Valley of the Sun. He went back-to-back with victories at Firebird Motorsports Park in each of the past two seasons, and he also won the event in 2003 and 2017. The Arizona Nationals No. 1 was his third in Phoenix, with the two previous poles coming in 2004 and 2006.
After reaching the final round at the season opener at the Gatornationals, Anderson’s reputation at the Arizona Nationals and current momentum could be a recipe for success, and he’ll start the day with a first-round meeting with Chris McGaha. Anderson’s son, Cody, made his Pro Stock debut in Gainesville and raced his father in the second round of the event – this weekend, they are again on the same side of the ladder with a chance of meeting up in the semifinals. The younger Anderson, qualified in the lucky No. 13 spot, will have to defeat Erica Enders in the opening act for that to remain a possibility.
As for the most winning driver in the history of the class, a 113th victory is on his mind, regardless of who is in the other lane.
“I know I’ve got the horse, I just have to get up and ride that thing,” said Anderson. “And I feel pretty good.”
Eliminations at the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PST Sunday, March 22nd, at Firebird Motorsports Park.
Watch #NHRAonFOX
Qualifying: Sunday, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1
Finals: Sunday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1
This story was originally published on March 22, 2026.
The post Six-Time Pro Stock Champ Greg Anderson Earns 141st Career Pole first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
