Line Bounces Back from Tough Start, Looks to Gain Momentum on Raceday in Gainesville
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 15, 2014) – As always, Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line was looking for immediate success at the 45th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at venerable Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, and although the first round of qualifying left him feeling a bit jilted, the following sessions were more in line with expectations.
 
Line, of Mooresville, N.C., clocked a best time of 6.525 at 212.76 mph and will start from the No. 8 position. He will square off with Summit Racing teammate Jimmy Alund in the first round of eliminations.
 
A malfunction in the clutch prevented Line from powering his blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro down the racetrack in full force in very good conditions that set the stage for a quick field.
 
“We got behind the eight ball, losing that first run. That was a killer, and it was tough to make up for that,” said Line, who came back in the later session to record a 6.541 at a big speed of 213.20 mph. On Saturday, Line improved to a 6.526 at 212.63 in the early round and then closed out the day with an even better 6.525, 212.76.
 
“You’ll have that some days, though,” he continued. “Racing doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s all good because we have a pretty darn good car for tomorrow with our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro. We definitely feel like we can make the car even better for Sunday. Losing that first run wasn’t the end of the world, it was just another challenge for us.”
 
Line will have lane choice over Alund and the duo will race one another for the first time on Sunday.
 
“The bad news is that we have to race each other; the good news is that one of our Summit Racing Camaros will for sure go to the next round,” said Line. “Sometimes things just don’t go the way you want them to, that’s all. But we did improve with both cars in qualifying, and we feel good about that going into tomorrow.”