Greg Anderson figured that he needed a flawless run Saturday to snare the No. 1 Pro Stock qualifying spot for the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago.

The four-time NHRA world champion delivered in style with his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro.

In the final session of the day, Anderson grabbed the top spot with a jaw-dropping pass of 6.564 seconds at 210.18 mph.

"That run I made right there was as close to perfection as you can get,” Anderson said. "I really felt good going down the racetrack, and I thought to myself when I got her in high gear, 'I think I have the pole in this one.' It felt that good. My crew chief Rob Downing, he hit the bullseye."

According to Anderson, he must execute at the top of his game again Sunday to down Tanner Gray, a teenaged rookie phenom who lost his aunt Terry Chandler to cancer on Tuesday.

Chandler, a popular figure in the drag racing community and a benefactor to numerous people and organizations, funded the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Funny Cars that compete for the Don Schumacher Racing team. She was also the sister of veteran Funny Car driver Johnny Gray, who is Tanner’s grandfather.

“I told Johnny a couple days ago that we're all going to be racing for second place this weekend, because Terry is going to have her hand on Tanner's racecar," Anderson said.  "Just like I expected, Tanner Gray went to the pole on Friday. Today, his racecar didn't run like it should have, so he ended up losing the pole – but I know he'll do great Sunday.”

Anderson said he would also like to honor the memory of the generous Chandler who always appeared at the starting line to support her drivers and family members.

“It's a special weekend, and we're all here to honor Terry Chandler,” Anderson said. “She was a great lady, and we wish she was here. But we're all racing for her. We might be racing for second, but if that's true, second is going to feel like a win to me."

It was the second straight and 89th career No. 1 starting spot for Anderson.

Pro Stock points leader Bo Butner, a teammate to Anderson at Ken Black Racing and a three-time No. 1 qualifier this season, earned the No. 2 spot with his run of 6.574 seconds at 210.21. The KB Racing team has won nine of the 13 low qualifier awards this season.

Drew Skillman grabbed third at 6.581 at 210.08 in his Ray Skillman Chevy Camaro.

With track temperatures expected to be in the 130 degree range for eliminations, several crew chiefs opted to use Saturday afternoon’s third round of qualifying as a simulation for today’s. But according to Anderson, Saturday’s conditions were just fine for speed.

‘It was a very nice day today and we made the most of it with two great runs,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the stadium-like Chicago facility, which attracts huge crowds, has special meaning for him.

“This was actually the last race track on the circuit for me to win until I got it done a few years back,” he said. “And then of course winning last year. Now there is nothing to not love about this great facility since the monkey is off my back.”

 Anderson will face Val Smeland in the first round of eliminations. Butner will be paired against Mark Hogan. Butner edged Anderson in the finals of the Summit NHRA Nationals in Norwalk two weeks ago.

"It'll be a battle tomorrow," Anderson said.  "There are a lot of really good cars out here, and you just don't know what will happen.”

Dave River was the lone Pro Stock driver who failed to qualify Saturday.