Johnny Anderson
Lightning Strike
By Bill W:
Family operations are common in the Knoxville pit area, and the Anderson family is no different. Johnny "Lightning" Anderson has his family involved in a big way. Jack and Nicki Anderson are his parents and own the 7a machine. Kelly Anderson is his sister and helps with the crew. The team partners with the team of Johnny's cousin, Frankie Heimbaugh, who is the son of former Knoxville great Mackie Heimbaugh and the grandson of racer Frankie Lee. Got all that?
As Anderson campaigns his brand new Eagle chassis, Gaerte powered sprinter in the 2002 season, he is aiming for some lofty goals. "We'd like to finish in the top five in 360 points, and of course, win some features," says Johnny. The team is also looking to put a 410 in, for both the 1200 pound nationals and the Knoxville Nationals. Getting seat time and some laps is imperative for any driver, and Johnny knows this. "We'd like to run Cameron (US 36 Raceway in Missouri) on Friday nights as much as possible," states the 21 year old.
Karting started at the age of 10. Anderson copped two national titles in the go-kart ranks. After spending eight years in the karts, he moved on to 360 sprints in 2000. Anderson's best finish in a Knoxville feature to date is a fifth he scored in the 2001 finale. He's also scored a pair of sixth place marks, and a seventh. The 360 Nationals saw him finish 16th in the B main, an impressive 38th out of 125 sprinters. He finished 17th in points last year, a year in which he competed in eight features, and scored four heat wins. The progress has been steady. The Indianola native loves the competition at Knoxville. That competition is fierce every week, and sometimes depends immensely on the pill you draw towing into the pits. Johnny would love to move up to the 410 class on a weekly basis in the not so distant future, and eventually campaign with the World of Outlaws. That would bring another Johnny "Lightning" to mind, Knoxville Hall of Famer, Johnny "Lightning" Stevenson.
Helping Anderson is his crew chief, Doug Snodgrass (cousin of 360 pilot Dwight Snodgrass), Jeremy Salvage, Kelly, Mike Prall, Jennifer Dungan and Amanda Heiselman. The team has a number of sponsors, led by Jack L. Anderson Auto Body, G & D Automotive, Stubbs & Vanderploeg Construction, B & B Hardwood Floors, Wright Chevrolet Parts, and Details Plus.
You can check out this exciting youngster's progress on the web at www.lightning7a.com.