TEAM SUMMIT RACING DRIVERS HONORARY STARTERS AT INDY RACE
Mooresville, NC (August 31, 2016)–Team Summit Racing Pro Stock drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line are not only going for win number 15 this weekend, but they are also the Honorary Starters for the 62nd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Greg Anderson has won the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals a remarkable six times. It’s a race he wants to win again this year. With 85 career wins, Anderson is currently tied with Bob Glidden as the NHRA Pro-Stock driver with the second most number of wins. A victory this weekend could break that tie.
“The U.S. Nationals is the closest thing we in the NHRA have to a Superbowl. We’ve been working our tails off in the shop and testing since Brainerd to give us an edge and help us win,” said Anderson. “I look forward to Indy every year. The fact that it is bigger makes it so great and special to win.”
Jason Line has won seven races this season, 44 in his career, but a win at the U.S. Nationals has eluded him.
“Racers live for Indy. It is the grand-daddy of all races,” Line said. “With it being so big and having Chevrolet Performance as the sponsor, I would love nothing more than to win this race.”
Both Anderson and Line are proud that Chevrolet Performance picked them to be Honorary Starters for the 62nd Annual U.S. Nationals.
“I was so surprised when they told me. It’s such a huge honor,” Line said. “I’m proud that I’ve been chosen as a representative for Chevrolet.”
“It is so cool. I’ve never had the opportunity to experience something like this and for Chevrolet to pick us is an honor,” Anderson said. “This is going to make the U.S. Nationals even more special this year.”
There are 20 Pro Stock drivers entered for the race, which is the most for an NHRA race this season. Unlike most NHRA races, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is spread out over four days for the professional categories.
Nitro Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson has a chance to double-up on wins this weekend in his Shelby Mustang. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout will be run this weekend with the winner taking home a $100,000 paycheck.
Only eight Top Fuel drivers and eight Funny Car drivers get the opportunity to participate in this race within a race. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout is open to the first seven winners of an NHRA Funny Car or Top Fuel race leading up the U.S. Nationals. The eighth spot in each class is determined by a fan vote lottery drawing. Wilkerson earned his spot with his wins this year in Phoenix and Charlotte.
“The Traxxas Shootout gives us an added incentive to win in Indy,” Wilkerson said. “The team works hard to try and get that nice bonus check at the end of the day.”