Line, secure in Countdown, puts team progress at forefront in Seattle
Mooresville, N.C., July 30, 2014 – Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock driver Jason Line added a win at the Seattle area’s Pacific Raceways in 2008, and the victory closed the door on a frustrating dry spell at the facility located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Once the first win was in the books at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, the embargo was lifted for Line, and he followed up with a victory in 2011 against KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson.
“For a long time, Seattle wasn’t a friend to me – but Seattle and I are good now. We’ve made amends,” said Line, who will return to Seattle this weekend for the 27th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals. “I like going there; it’s a nice place and beautiful country – and I have a really good racecar right now, so that certainly doesn’t hurt.”
Indeed, Line’s blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro is a very fast hot rod. He was the provisional No. 1 qualifier last weekend in Sonoma on Friday night, and he believes he would have reclaimed the pole on Saturday had it not been for out-of-character driver error. The win at Sonoma Raceway put an exclamation point on the fact that he claimed his berth in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs in the second round.
One would think that with a position in the Countdown to the Championship secured, a second win of the season on his scorecard, and a recent No. 1 qualifier award at the Denver Mile-High Nationals, Line would feel that the heat was somewhat turned down. However, that is not the case.
“The pressure certainly isn’t off going to these next three races before the Countdown starts,” said Line. “Right now we have to get Greg in there and running better. Both of those things have been a challenge for us, and we haven’t made it a secret that our cars haven’t been where we felt they should be – but we’re getting there now. The last two weeks, I’ve felt like I’ve had the best car out there, and we just need to get Greg and our KB Racing teammate Vincent better. We’re on the right track, and we just need to keep that going.”
Before the race in Seattle, the Summit Racing drivers are making a very interesting detour, and one that Line has long looked forward to.
“Greg and I get to go to Hot August Nights in Reno this week with the folks from Summit Racing Equipment, and for us, that is a really big deal,” said Line. “I’m a muscle car guy, so this is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a huge car show, with something like 15,000 cars on display, plus we’ll get to meet fans and talk hot rods for two days, so I’m really looking forward to that. It will be a fun stop for us and a great way to start the weekend.”