Forest Acres teen wins championship
By Tom Poland

Jordan Anderson focuses on his goal of becoming a NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver.

Jordan Anderson, 16, who races out of Forest Acres, is one step closer to driving in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series. Anderson recently won the ultra- competitive Summer Shoot- Out Series at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which is the Legends Car Pro Division's most recognized event in the country. NASCAR notables have run this series including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt and Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, and David Ragan.

The competition is intense and the potential for exposure is great. The series will be televised on the Speed Channel this fall with an estimated viewing audience of 80 million.

Each week the country's 50 top drivers attempt to qualify for a 24- car field. Points accumulate depending on finishing order. At the end of week seven, the 10 drivers with the most points are eligible to compete for the championship.

For the last three races, all competitors competed as usual and accumulated points, but only the top 10 in the Sizzler, as it's known, were eligible for the championship.

Jordan Anderson stands next to his car and Legends car founder and president of Lowes Motor Speedway, Humpy Wheeler

Anderson won week nine giving him the points lead. He capped off the final week with a dramatic race fending off NASCAR's David Green's son Tyler Green to capture the championship.

"Next to winning the Semi- Pro Nationals Championship Race in 2005, this would have to be my greatest accomplishment," said Anderson.

"Anderson is one of the best young drivers in the country. We need a top driver down the road from South Carolina. We've had David Pearson and Cale Yarborough and people like that in Cup racing, but we've run out of them," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Jordan has got what it takes. He's mastering these difficult racecars, which were designed to test the very soul of a young and old drivers alike. I like his smoothness and desire to run to the front."

Anderson's race season will continue at tracks across the country as he vies for another national title. A race of Pro Legends State Champions and a National Race will be held in Las Vegas, October 10- 13. Anderson will represent South Carolina and Forest Acres. He is aggressively making plans for the 2008 season and his goal is set on running the UARA Late Model Touring Series with a budget of $200,000.

Anderson's current list of sponsors is City of Forest Acres, Dick Dyer Toyota, Leon Jones Insurance, Forest Acres Dental, Green Orthodontics, Athletes for Life, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, High Impact signs, Moore Orthopedic Clinic, Palmetto Galleries and a signature campaign for individual sponsors to sign his car.

Anderson is hoping to obtain major corporate sponsorship, which is crucial to a young driver who is still in school.

Anderson is a hardworking young man with strong character. "God, family, trust, perseverance, endurance, loyalty, hard work, self sacrifice, humility, and commitment make me who I am," said Anderson.

"The City of Forest Acres takes great pride in promoting one of its own. His racing venture has not only proven successful on the track but also in his character. He is a fine young man of integrity and faith in family and God, and he represents that true spirit in each of us, said Forest Acres Mayor, Frank J. Brunson.

"We are all excited about Jordan in his reciprocal promotion of the city and its merchants and restaurants by plastering our name all over the fastest car on the course," said Brunson.

Jordan's parents, Clif and Sherry Anderson, give their son full support. His 10- year- old sister, Jennifer, is his number one fan.

The entire Jordan Anderson Racing ( JAR as it is known) program is bathed completely in prayer according to Jordan's father.

Anderson is currently attending A.C. Flora, and despite a busy racing schedule speaks to Civic Clubs and shares his testimony at churches and represents the Race against Drugs Program.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Jordan or to learn more about him can visit www.JordanAndersonRacing.c om.