Line No. 1 at the Conclusion of First Day of Qualifying in Charlotte
Mooresville, N.C., September 13, 2013 – The first day of qualifying ended on a high note for Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line as he raced to the provisional No. 1 spot in his streaking silver Chevrolet Camaro at the Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Line, of nearby Mooresville, N.C., took over the top spot with a breathtaking 6.541 at 211.86 mph on Friday, the opening day of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series 2013 Countdown to the Championship, bettering by a bunch his 6.586 at 210.24 that was second-quickest in the opening session.
“It’s a big deal to get those little points that are out there,” said Line, of the bonus qualifying points he earned as a reward for his excellent performances on Friday. Line earned two extra points in the first session and three in the later round.
“Somebody is going to get them, and I’d rather it was one of the Summit Racing Camaros. If you get those bonus points, it means you have a good hot rod. We can say that today, that’s for sure.”
If it holds, the No. 1 qualifying position would be his first of the 2013 season. Line’s most recent start from the pole came at the 2012 season-closer in Pomona last November. This season has been out of character for the driver who has claimed 33 No. 1 qualifier awards over the course of his career. Last season, Line started from the top of the pack nine times, and the year before that he was low qualifier at seven events.
“It’s been a strange year for the KB Racing/Summit Racing crew, but we’re finally righting the ship,” said Line. “Obviously, like everything in life, timing is everything. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re a heck of a lot closer, that’s for sure.
“I’m excited because this is the best track for me to start the Countdown, for sure,” continued Line, who has been the No. 1 qualifier at zMAX Dragway four times before. “The last two years we’ve had very good efforts here, and it’s looking like we can do the same thing again this time around. Bruton Smith’s tracks are always the best, and this one is absolutely the best of them all. It’s fun to race here and it’s also nice to sleep in my own bed. It’s also good because all the guys from the KB Racing shop were here, and for them to see the fruits of their labor is a big deal. This is a great place, and we’re all looking forward to tomorrow and then racing for the trophy on Sunday.”