Line consistent and quick in Summit Racing Camaro in Phoenix
CHANDLER, Ariz., February 23, 2014 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line had a consistent car at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park this weekend. Although he did not go quite as many rounds as he had hoped with his brilliant blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, the Mooresville, N.C.-based competitor still had a positive outlook at the conclusion of the event and a firm belief that his KB Racing team was on the path to a very successful season.
Line, a two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, qualified in the No. 3 position at the second race of 24 on the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, powering his mean Chevrolet to a best time of 6.536 at 211.69 mph, recorded in the first session. Line showed a steady hand throughout qualifying and followed his quick opening pass with a 6.544, 211.83; 6.582, 211.00; and finally a 6.560, 211.20 that was the quickest pass of the final session.
On raceday, Line knocked out Steve Kent in the first round of eliminations, 6.569 at 211.56 to 6.634, 209.98. A second-round match with Allen Johnson, however, proved to be more of a challenge than he was able to overcome – but certainly not by much. Line launched ahead of his competitor with a respectable .026-second reaction time and carried it to a 6.556-second blast at 210.93 mph that was the second quickest of the round. His solid pass would have beaten any car in the round – except that of Johnson and his 6.543 at 212.16. The margin of victory was a slim .008-second.
“My Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was consistent this weekend, but that last round I made a change and it took us in the wrong direction,” admitted Line. “I got a little greedy with the engine tune-up, and obviously that backfired. It slowed down from the previous runs. But it is what it is, and the car guys did a good job this weekend. The engine tuner just fell short, but I think I learned my lesson. We’ll try again in Gainesville.”
Line entered the event in Phoenix in the points lead and gathered valuable bonus points during qualifying to keep the momentum going. He exits the event just 11 marks outside of No. 1 and is currently No. 2 in the Pro Stock points.
“All in all, it was a good weekend for Team Summit,” said Line. “We’re going to do some testing before Gainesville to make sure we have everything ironed out, but I think we’re on a pretty good track. I really felt like I was going to win today, and I’m disappointed that didn’t happen. But it isn’t anything that we can’t get past. We just have to get right back to work.”