Seven months after completing his Pro Stock licensing runs at Rockingham, Cody Anderson reaches his first NHRA final at The Rock and loses the decider to Greg Stanfield by 0.010 seconds.

The 28-year-old, son of multiple-time champion Greg Anderson, delivers a composed, error-limited Sunday for KB Titan Racing, converting competitive pace into elimination wins under increasing pressure.

The result validates a steady rookie trajectory and strengthens his Countdown platform. He starts the playoffs as the ninth seed and targets a realistic push toward the top five.

Anderson’s racing immersion runs deep. Grandfather Troy Humphrey helped put Greg Anderson in a Pro Stock car, and that same family backbone surrounds Cody during this milestone weekend.

He earns his license in February 2026 at Rockingham, guided by KB Titan leadership. Greg Anderson and reigning champion Dallas Glenn sign off, underlining confidence in the program’s processes.

The rookie builds a credible résumé: a Gainesville win over Greg Stanfield, Bristol success against Jeg Coughlin Jr., fastest in Norwalk’s opening round as Troy Coughlin Jr. exits, and a No.2 start at Sonoma with a Seattle win.

Momentum continues with a Brainerd semifinal from his best qualifying to date. He then qualifies third at the U.S. Nationals and defeats Aaron Stanfield, locking a Countdown berth as the ninth seed.

The playoffs open strongly at US 131 Motorsports Park, where he qualifies fourth and beats Kenny Delco. Returning to Rockingham, he benefits from a sizable family presence and proximity to KB Titan’s Mooresville base.

He acknowledges pre-race nerves given the stakes. Ninth in points at the event’s start, he targets efficient execution to protect and build that standing.

Round one pairs him with Erica Enders. Anderson advances with a 6.499 at 209.59 mph against Enders’ 6.523 at 210.58 mph, delivering a measured, on-pace run.

The quarterfinal is a family showdown. Anderson launches first as Greg Anderson’s car shakes the tires, and a tidy 6.532 sec pass moves Cody through amid mixed emotions.

Lane choice proves valuable in the semifinal against points leader Matt Hartford. Hartford rattles early and posts 6.821, while Anderson’s controlled 6.562 sec is sufficient to reach his first final.

The track remains demanding, but KB Titan’s setup keeps the window wide enough. Anderson matches that with disciplined staging and consistent downtrack management under pressure.

He falls just short in the final, edged by Stanfield by 0.010 seconds. The near-miss still consolidates a breakthrough weekend and underlines a car-driver package trending upward.

For a wider NHRA points picture across categories, recent leader updates offer useful context at this roundup.

Attention now shifts to the last four events, where repeatable execution matters most. Fans tracking milestones can revisit record-breaking performances this season, alongside standout qualifying stories led by Ron Capps’ No.1 form.

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Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.