Line claims track record, will start fourth at Summit Racing Southern Nationals
ATLANTA, Ga., May 17, 2014 – The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway have so far been a time for Jason Line to shine, and the Pro Stock driver who wheels the bright blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro will be in the hunt for a little more sunshine during final eliminations for the event. Line, of Mooresville, N.C., blasted to a 6.517 at 213 mph to reset the Atlanta Dragway track record for speed and earn a start from the No. 4 position. He will race Larry Morgan in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.
In a weekend that has so far been a start-stop-start-stop affair between weather and racing delays, Line kept his composure and managed to display a very solid program. The first day of qualifying finished late into the evening with Line fourth-best based on a time of 6.540-second at 211.59 mph.
On Saturday afternoon, NHRA’s National Dragster magazine labeled Line as “quietly lurking in the background,” referring to his 6.514 at 212.69 in the Rob Downing-tuned Team Summit Camaro that was recorded in the third qualifying round. It was the third-quickest pass of the session and paired with the fastest speed, and his repeat 6.51 and new track record in the final qualifying round amplified his threatening nature at his sponsor’s title event.
“There are a lot of fast cars out here, and to be able to run that well is certainly a positive thing,” said Line. “We’re always looking for that big speed with our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros, and to see that today was very, very encouraging. Hopefully we can capitalize on that tomorrow.”
Morgan, Line’s first-round opponent, is a driver whom he has not squared off with on raceday since the Seattle event last summer. Line was the victor in their meeting last year.
“Larry is a character and I love the guy,” said Line. “He’s a goofball and just a super good guy. You can’t ever take him for granted, that’s for sure. Larry can be very fast, and you never know what he’s going to do out there. Heck, he might stage the car with the back wheels – you just never know. But it’ll be fun either way.”
The one thing that could be a true curveball is the weather forecast, which looks somewhat wet and dreary. Line, however, is thinking positive.
“I’m actually going to go against what all the negative nellies out there are saying – I don’t think the weather will be a big problem for us,” said Line. “I think we’re going to race. The bad news for us may be that the track record we set today won’t last. It is suppose to be pretty cool out there.
“We’ll just have to make sure we have a really good tune-up and we’ll be fine. We love this weekend every year – it’s a Summit race, for one, and there are a lot of great fans here in Atlanta. We always like coming here, and right now, I have the fastest hot rod out there. I feel good about tomorrow.”
