Hey all we are preparing to go into PRI weekend and we want everyone to be aware of our 2019 schedule plan.

We are going even further than ever and to more races than ever.

So mark your calendars now and come watch us race in 2019!

April 26-28 Charlotte, NC National

May 17-19 Norwalk, OH Regional

May 31-June2 Chicago, IL National

June 21-23 Norwalk, OH National

July 12-14 Chicago, IL Regional

August 16-18 Brainerd, MN National

August 29-Sept 2 Indianapolis, IN National

October 4-6 St.Louis,MO Regional

Can't wait!

Hey Everyone!

I'm really excited that I'm now working in collaboration with PMP on a driver's blog.  The blog is available through their website and the first one is up already.  Take a look.

www.racewithpmp.com/blog 

Hey All!

We published our 2018 schedule! Currently we are thinking it will look like below with potential to adjust if needed. We are planning on being at a lot of races close to home next year, which we are extra excited about!  

May 4-6 Columbus, OH

May 18-20 Norwalk, OH

June 1-3 Chicago, IL

June 22-24 Norwalk, OH

July 13-15 Chicago, IL

October 19-21 St. Louis, MO

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Can't wait to see you in 2018!

The work continues into the offseason.  It's a little more relaxed of a pace but there are still a bunch of things that need to get done.  If you're not a racer yourself you may not know that there are safety equipment (for example) & the chassis that need to be certified every year or sometimes every 2 or 5 years.  In the offseason we get these things accomplished.  In addition we are working on doing any updates that we have been thinking about as we learned so much through the 2017 season.  In the last race St Louis we qualified and went our best time of 5.47 at 240 but the weekend was cut short after only one qualifying pass because we hurt a head and didn't have a spare ready to go yet.  We began the process of obtaining spares a little over a year ago actually.  Unfortunately we aren't set up with a ton of extra space in the trailer or spares just yet but the reality of this happening at our last race made getting spares ready a priority for the offseason too!  We do the best with what we have.  We feel so fortunate just to go to races and we know that this low budget alcohol team with a big heart is going to be very competitive. SOON!   Looking forward to spending time with family during the holidays, meeting new and old friends while at PRI in Indy and getting back out there in 2018!  We have space to include additional marketing partnerships on a race by race basis next year.  Contact us for more info.

There are times I have to remind myself that I am already living the dream that I never thought I would have.  I feel so fortunate to be able to do this with hard work and the support of my family.  We went to the NHRA Earlville Iowa race over the weekend with the best of intentions.  10 cars fighting to be in an 8 car field and being relatively new to the competition scene I was a little intimidated.  Q2 on Saturday ended up being my new personal best 5.49! Finally into the 5.40s.  Another goal of mine was accomplished and it felt great.  I've been trying to take it step by step.  The car wasn't even running that great on half of that run so we now know that it can and will go even FASTER! Unfortunately the number 8 spot ended up being a 5.46, so we did not qualify for this one.  We went from the highest highs running in the 40s to finding out we did not qualify.  I always say that I'm not that competitive but the truth is I strive to be better at all times.  That may be one of my biggest strengths that is also a weakness.  It's not about being better than anyone else, it's about being better than myself.  It was disappointing to end the weekend early but we move on by focusing on the good progress that we had. The cars in this field are very competitive and we can't wait to go to St Louis and pulling out the rest of the potential from the car.

Racing can definitely be a fun time too, if you make it that way.  Earlville is very close to the movie set for Field of Dreams.  We decided to go there Sunday morning before heading home and I of course had to run the bases and explore in the corn.  Little adventures while traveling to different race tracks make the memories even better.  Make sure you enjoy the memories, the little things and the small wins.  Life is too short not to focus on the positive.

We just got back from the trip to Brainerd!  It was honestly a very good experience.  We had a couple of setbacks that we are taking back as learnings.  Fortunately we were able to fix them on while at the track and qualify with a 5.54 at 229.  It was our best run ever and I lifted just a little early.  Going into first round we tried our best but the car dropped a couple holes and ran a similar 5.58 to the number one qualifiers 5.26.  

Just prior to round one on Saturday night we learned that we were the recipient of the Edelbrock Never Rest Performer for the weekend!  I am honestly so humbled that we got this honor and that we got to take home a mini wally from our first race!  It was a huge learning experience.  We didn't break anything, we went faster than we ever have and figured out a couple things on the car.  This is a car we built on a very low budget, but with lots of heart, hard work and dedication.  This is just the beginning for me and the Anderson Family Dragster team.  I'm so addicted and will keep working until this car goes fast but I am really proud with how far it's come in the 2017 season.  I'm very thankful for all of our supporters especially the crew, the teams that have helped push us in the right direction, Comp Fab, Zrodz, PMP, Champion Auto Parts, and Goodson.

Check this out! -----we made it onto Comp Plus!

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/tad-rookie-marina-anderson-makes-nhra-national-event-debut

Wow how time flies! It is almost August.  The summers always fly by because every moment spent not racing is spent working on the car to get it ready for the next race or I'm at the track trying to learn more.

It's crazy how addicting this sport is.  This weekend was supposed to be my first race, the St. Louis division race.  It was postponed due to hot weather.  Although this was probably the right call, I couldn't help but be disappointed since this was going to be my first official race I enter as a licensed TAD owner/driver.

The last time I was in the car was already 3 weeks ago and I'm itching to get back in the seat.  We were fortunate enough to put on a show for the ADRL fans at one of my favorite race tracks US 131 in Martin, MI.  It was the AFD team vs the NitroU Gas Monkey Energy car driven by Alex Laughlin.  Friday was a rain out so we made two runs on Saturday.  The first run we went 5.89 @ 224 but Alex went 5.41 @ 265.  This was my first time ever staging and running a fast car with another car in the other lane.  I was nervous.  After deploying the chutes, slowing down and turning off the track I was getting out of the car and Alex told me that I did a great job (knowing that it was my first time).  It definitely calmed my nerves for the second run.  Right before we started up the cars for the second run I was told we are going to do side by side burnouts and whoever has the longest burnout gets $100.  Knowing that I am the car owner I smiled because I knew I could win this.  And that I did.  It was the most exciting and fun burnout I have ever done, I loved it and so did the crowd!  The second run was better for us 5.78 @ 228 but Anthony had the NitroU car really flying for that run because I could not catch Alex with his 5.30 @268 run.

Overall we had so much fun that weekend in Michigan and we learned a lot about the car.  We previously were having a couple of issues like intake springs breaking which were resolved after these runs.  We actually had to get them closer to coil bind! ( I know these racecars are so crazy most people don't believe it)

The weekend after Martin was our local national NHRA event in Chicago.  We were expecting quite a few cars so we hadn't planned on entering this, at least not this year.  Only 16 TAD cars showed up.  Ouch! Any drag racer knows it's very difficult to be at the track without working on or driving something.  So many people asked where my car is since they know I'm licensed but we just had not planned on it.  It takes us a little more time with being new to the routine and the whole team working full time jobs on top of trying to get the AFD team going just doesn't give us much shop time.  There are so many things that go into getting a nitro car ready for a race.  

Luckily a couple different friends welcomed me into their pits to learn more about how to run afuel, show them things I had questions on and I got to hang out with my friends for the week too.  I am so thankful to all these people that are constantly showing me so much hospitality at the race track.  Definitely a great group.  One of my favorite examples of this was when an afuel starter didn't work a bunch of other afuel guys were running all over trying to get them a starter.  I wouldn't be able to do this without the help of so many teams throughout the years.  Even though I didn't bring my car it turned into a great weekend.  I learned a lot and not one but TWO good friends walked away with wallys and I got to be a part of it.  I was Megan's PR girl for the weekend so I got to video every run for her all the way into the winner's circle.  The other friend that won was Sean Bellemuer, he was running in the Bartone Bros TAFC.  Both are just great people and I was so thrilled that they won.

So what's next?  Well I have a family vacation planned where we are actually going to the Seattle national event (because what's vacation without racing) but like I said I'm itching to be back in the drivers seat AFTER ONLY 3 WEEKS.  It's a sickness.  St. Louis was postponed until October and my next planned race was not until Earlville in September.  That is just way too long to wait.  I need to put this license to good use.

After talking it over with the crew and making sure it's possible the team has decided we will be entering in the Brainerd MN national event.  We originally had said we wouldn't be doing any national events this year, but we are going to make an exception for this race.  I can't put the excitement I have into words.  It's not going to be easy for us to get there but it's going to be so worth it and I can't wait to get to be out there on this level in 2017! It's really happening!

We will also be running the Frantic Fueler the weekend before (on Aug 12) at Byron IL!  I get to have some fun outside of the drivers seat when we run this.

2017 has been a great year and I can't wait to see where else it takes us.  What a journey!

I AM OFFICIALLY LICENSED!

This past weekend was one of the best of my life I'm sure.  There has been so many years of hard work leading up to this and finally it happened.  The recap is that we made one run on Friday after the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car Qualifying session.  I went to about 1000 ft before lifting to get a 6.27 @ 185mph.  I was excited that I jumped from a 6.98 to a 6.27 but at the same time I was disappointed that what I needed to make it count toward my license was 6.20 @ 205.  It was just 7 hundreths off.  ugh!  When we took the engine apart there was a small amount of damage that we would need to fix the next morning before running again for the Burndown at Sundown show.

The Burndown at Sundown was so much fun to be a part of.  I got to make two runs on Saturday night after qualifying again.  A ton of family and friends came out to see us run.  We made a few different tune up changes and went out there and I was able to make my first full quarter mile pass!  The pass turned out to be 5.84 @ 223 mph.  It felt so good to turn off the track and have NHRA officials tell me "I think they said a 5...80something"  my response was "WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING?!"  I definitely miss the excitement of watching the car go down the track and seeing the board light up with the numbers.  I've realized this weekend that you don't get that part when you're the driver.  I was so excited that the car improved from a 6.27 to a 5.84 I was just in shock and all smiles.  Many people know that this isn't good enough usually in the TAD class but for us in this car that I built it was a huge accomplishment to finally have a 5 second ET.

The celebration literally didn't last because my only focus was going out there and getting another good full pass to finish my license.  We had a couple hours to turn around the car and we decided to make a couple safe tuning changes and go out there to see what it would do on the second run of the night.  The run felt good, faster than the last one in the beginning but it nosed over a little and I corrected an drove through it to the finish line.  I pulled off the track and here comes the NHRA official on the scooter saying "You did it!".  I finished my license runs with a 5.63 @ 232!! Another huge improvement for the team.  This time actually would have put us in the number 9 out of 11 qualifying position in an 8 car field.  It all still feels like a dream.  Everyone is asking what is next now that I'm licensed.  We are looking at possible races and funding.  Martin, MI ADRL race and St. Louis NHRA division race are both on our radar.

There are so many people that have helped us get to this point that I can't even name them all but thank you to you all.  The other teams that are rooting for us and pointing us in the right direction or selling us parts.  The new and the old sponsors that believe in our team.  My family and my friends that are all so supportive. & Definitely my team who has been working on this for 7 years with me from fabrication to 5 seconds. THANK YOU!

Marina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Search for a Champion’ Finalist Marina Anderson Kicking off 2017 Season with Final Licensing

JOLIET, Ill. (May 31, 2017) – After being selected as one of 25 finalists in Champion Spark Plugs’ ‘Search for a Champion’ contest, Marina Anderson will begin her 2017 season with the final passes required to earn her NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster license. Anderson and her family-owned A/Fuel dragster anticipate a multi-race schedule with the NHRA and ADRL series. The Illinois team will be working with Premium Motorsports Products (PMP) to accommodate its parts supply needs and to provide supplementary technical support.

Anderson, 24, was one of only two drag racers to be named a finalist in the 2017 Search for a Champion contest, put on by Champion Spark Plugs since 2012. Anderson’s story of fabricating and driving her nitromethane-injected A/Fuel dragster captured the attention of thousands of voters over the multiple voting periods required to reach the “Finalist” status.

“It was definitely rewarding to be named a finalist because there were over a thousand entries,” Anderson said. “It was an honor to know that I was in the top 25 of the thousand on-the-track entries. It’s been a really big honor to be a part of it and to have people, some that I didn’t even know, telling me that they voted for me. It’s been a humbling experience.”

Anderson and her dragster, built at Competition Fabrications, will head to Route 66 Raceway this weekend for the Burndown at Sundown NHRA North Central Region race, June 2-4. Though she isn’t entering the race, Anderson will use the opportunity to make her final licensing runs. Once she has her Top Alcohol Dragster license, the Anderson Family Dragster team plan to attend the ADRL race in Martin (Michigan) and an NHRA regional event in Earlville, IA, while additional race dates are tentatively planned.

“This season is special to us because this will be the first time we get to bring the car to races. We’re really getting somewhere and all of the hard work is paying off. People are believing in what we’re trying to do, and want to support us and want to see us out there. I’m excited to be out there with the support of so many,” added Anderson, who is also involved with tuning the dragster alongside her father, Scott.

Marina Anderson and the Anderson Family Dragster team welcome the connection with Indianapolis-based Premium Motorsports Products (PMP), a high performance drag racing parts, product and service company founded by noted nitro tuner Mike Domagala.

“We’re teaming up with PMP because they believe in what we’re doing,” Anderson said. “We feel like they’ll be a great partner because we’re both working our way up and building our brands. They’ve been in drag racing for a long time, while we’re working our way into it. They’re a reputable racing parts supplier for premium new and used parts.”

For more information on Marina Anderson and the Anderson Family Dragster, please visit www.afdragster.com.

Hi!

There has already been so much going on in 2017!  The very fun ride of the Search for a Champion has come to an end.  We are really honored to be a part of #TeamChampion for the year since we were one of the twenty five finalists.  So many people were voting everyday and I appreciate you all.  It was a long road for us all to remember to vote and then wait to hear results but so much fun too.  I'm sure my many vote reminders got to be annoying to some.   Champion has a whole lot more than spark plugs to offer so be sure to check out their products out for your vehicle, lawn mower, motorcycle etc.  

As we were finishing up putting the car together to go testing in April I was also patiently awaiting the arrival of my niece.  Avery Rae came into this world on April 19, 2017.  She was perfect from the start (I may be biased).  Her parents are doing so well with her already and I love my new title "Auntie".  Sorry but I'm not really sorry for all the adorable baby pics to come on social media.  I have to break up the racecar posts with a little bit of what makes me, me and being an aunt definitely is important to me.

We have already had a few challenges in 2017 as a race team.  Unfortunately it's very difficult to try to race in the spring in the Midwest.  There has been rainy weekends after rainy weekends or no place open to test.  We made the trip out to Earlville IA in April for a beautiful day.  The track was great and the car ran fairly well but not as good as we would like so we took it back home and made a few updates to get ready for the Indy NHRA northcentral region race.

The Indy race brought more rain than any other weekend.  Looking at the weather we knew it wasn't going to be favorable so dad and I went down there to look the car over with tech.  Being a brand new car we wanted to make sure we would be prepared for the Joliet, IL race in June and everything looked good.  We watched one round of qualifying before the pits turned into a lake (literally) from all of the rain.  It was kind of an entertaining day because of it.  (Also I highly suggest the garlic rolls at Sal's)

After Indy we were on the hunt for another place and time to test.  We tested at our local track Route 66 in Joliet, IL in May.  I finally got to see a time slip in the 6 second range and signed off on one of the three passes needed for my upgrade!  Definitely progress in the right direction.  We have been learning and updating a few things since then and we are finalizing everything to go to the race in Joliet next weekend.  It will be a fun weekend.  I will be able to make 3 runs after the other alcohol cars qualifying runs to try to finish up my TAD license upgrade.  I definitely can't wait to get back in the drivers seat.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Marina