Down to the wire, Line nears third NHRA Pro Stock championship
Mooresville, N.C., November 11, 2014 – The 2014 season of NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will come to a full stop this weekend as the Auto Club NHRA Finals commence at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, and Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro driver Jason Line is well within reach of recognizing the major objective as he competes in the 260th Pro Stock race of his career. Just 17 points out of first place, Mooresville, N.C.-based Line is in the heat of battle for his third NHRA Pro Stock championship.
Line grabbed the points lead with a long awaited win at Brainerd’s Lucas Oil Nationals, and he held the top spot for six races. Two weeks ago in Las Vegas he forfeited the edge, but he is in a prime position to get it right back.
“Last year, we came to this race 71 points back, and we really had no chance – to come into this race 17 points out of the lead this time around is nothing, it’s a single round,” said Line, who won his first Pro Stock championship in 2006 and followed up with the 2011 title. “Our approach is pretty simple, really; we’re going there to win the race. The Summit Racing team certainly has the ability to do that. Anything is possible, and I feel really good about this weekend.”
Gunning for the big trophy at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona provides a comfortable venue for Line, who won the season opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona this year to launch into the season with the points lead. It was his third Winternationals win, although Line has yet to seal the deal at the Finals and only sees opportunity in the weekend ahead as well as beyond.
“The Summit Racing team is happy to be in this position, and we’re all very excited for the opportunity to have a really cool finish to the year,” said Line, a 35-time Pro Stock winner on the tour in an admirable 73 final rounds who has claimed four victories this season in eight finals. “I think you have to think about the task at hand and also about the future, and we are certainly thinking about both. In this class, you have to think farther ahead than just one week, but right now, the week ahead is pretty exciting.”