No matter what happens Sunday, Greg Anderson has already won a race this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Speedway.

That became a reality when Anderson edged Shane Gray to capture the K&N Horsepower Challenge trophy for the second year in a row.

Anderson clocked a 6.684-second elapsed time at 205.47 mph to defeat Gray’s 6.669-second effort at 206,26 mph.

“This day is all about fun and it’s about thanking K&N for what they do for the sport, and whole big pile of cash at the end of the rainbow, and we found our way there,” said Anderson, who pilots a Summit Racing Camaro for Ken Black

Anderson’s victory parade consisted of wins over Allen Johnson, his teammate Bo Butner and then Gray. The performance netted Anderson a $50,000 payday.

“This is just a lot of fun and that money is very important to us,” Anderson said. “It cost a lot of money to come out here and do this stuff. That will certainly help the team and give us a shot in the arm. It will give us more pressure, but more fun for (Sunday). It should be a great day (Sunday).”

This is the sixth time Anderson has won the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a specialty race for NHRA’s Pro Stock class. Anderson’s six wins are the most all-time in this specialty race.

In addition to 2016 and 2017, Anderson also won the K&N Horsepower Challenge in 2004, 2006, 2010-11. The specialty race began in 1985. Gray met up with Anderson by defeating Vincent Nobile and Erica Enders.

“I can’t say enough about the job my guys did with my race car,” Anderson said. “Rob Downing (Anderson’s crew chief) did a fantastic job. I had a perfect race car all day long. All I could do was not screw it up and thank the Lord I didn’t screw it up and we got the check and that beautiful trophy. It’s just a great day. We’re going to have a party at the Blacks household (Saturday night) and have a good time and come out.”

As for Sunday, Anderson will start No. 4 on the ladder. Jason Line, the reigning world champion and Anderson’s teammate will start from the No. 1 spot for the fourth race out of four this season. Line held the top spot with his 6.647-second run from Friday. This is Line 53rd No. 1 qualifying position in his career and his 12th since the beginning of the 2016 season.

“I have no strategy,” Line said. “The strategy is to go up there and go as fast as you can every time. Obviously, you try to do the best job you can to get every little bit of performance out of the race car. It’s not just me, obviously. I’m just one small part of it. Rob (Downing) and the guys do a great job of getting the race car on the race track, and it’s just a very good hot rod right now.”

Anderson arrived in Vegas first in the points standings on the strength of one win in Phoenix and two runner-up finishes. Line is second in points, thanks to his victory at the season-opening Winternationals.