Anderson Ready to Get Back to Work After Charlotte
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 15, 2013 – Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson has a strong record at zMAX Dragway, the site of this weekend’s sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals. With three Pro Stock victories in Charlotte on his scorecard, Anderson always has high expectations when it is time to race at what he considers a home track. This weekend however, he was left wanting more.
 
“The Summit Racing team is such a strong group, and my teammate showed here this weekend that we have power and the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros can be great cars,” said Anderson. Line was the No. 1 qualifier and runner-up at the event. “On the other hand, we clearly have some work to do to bring my car up to the caliber of racecar that we have for Jason.”
 
Anderson made four passes in the 6.5-second zone during qualifying, and his best time of 6.556 at 210.44 mph resulted in a start from the No. 7 position. The four-time Pro Stock world champion squared off with Vincent Nobile in the first round of eliminations on Sunday, and he took full advantage of lane choice to make his start from the much-preferred right lane.
 
Anderson’s opponent was in trouble soon after the launch and he easily moved on to take the win with a 6.596 at 209.75. Although he logged the round win, Anderson lost lane choice to Mike Edwards for their quarterfinals match as Edwards’ opening round elapsed time was .015-second quicker.
 
“Lane choice was very important this weekend, and the work that we did last night and this morning to bring our car closer to Jason’s really could have made a difference if we hadn’t lost lane choice,” said Anderson. “But we just weren’t fast enough in the first round, and we didn’t get the job done. We missed a little bit on the first run, and it was the kiss of death.”
 
Anderson’s Camaro was first off the starting line by a bunch in his match with Edwards, but he soon lost traction and could only watch as Edwards surged ahead to take the win light. The early ending to the day was particularly disappointing as Anderson had hoped to make a strong start in the first of six races in NHRA’s 2013 Countdown to the Championship. Anderson entered the event as the No. 7 seed but was bumped down one spot to eighth at the conclusion of the event.
 
“It was a shame that we weren’t able to have a better outing here, but that’s okay – we’ve got a great team, we know we have Summit Racing Camaros with a lot of potential, and we’re just going to pick up and keep going,” said Anderson. “We’re going to stay here at zMAX Dragway tomorrow and do some testing, see if we can rectify what went wrong this weekend before we go to the race next weekend in Dallas. We’re going to keep digging. Today wasn’t our day, but we have a lot of confidence that we can right this ship and get the Summit Racing Camaro back up there.”

Line Races to the Final Round in Charlotte, Moves Up in the Standings
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 15, 2013 – The first race of NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship netted near-perfect results for Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line. The Mooresville, N.C., resident earned his first No. 1 qualifier award of the season at the sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals and powered his silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to the final round on raceday to move up to third in the series standings.

“It was a good day today, but I would be a lot happier if it would have been just a little bit better,” said Line, who entered the event as the No. 6 seed in the championship chase and was looking to defend the title he earned in Charlotte one year ago.

Line launched into the weekend with a hot rod to be reckoned with and picked up bonus qualifying points in each round en route to the 34th pole position of his career and fifth at Charlotte’s venerable zMAX Dragway. On Sunday, Line continued to show muscle with a car that was either first- or second-quickest in each round of eliminations.

In the opening act, Line was .022 at the starting line and 6.563, 210.70 mph at the finish line stripe to top veteran Pro Stock pilot Warren Johnson. In round two, a remarkable 6.546 pass at a booming 211.49 mph flashed on the scoreboard as Line obliterated the traction-troubled run put forth by opponent V. Gaines, and the dominating pass would stand as low e.t. of the meet and top speed of eliminations.

KB Racing driver Line slowed some in the semifinals, but his 6.579, 210.73 was still second-quickest of the round and effectively put Erica Enders-Stevens on the trailer. Unfortunately, Line’s winning run was .003-second slower than that of Jeg Coughlin, and he forfeited lane choice to his final-round opponent on a day where choice of position on the racetrack proved pivotal.

“Today it was a one-lane racetrack out there, and losing lane choice going into the final was painful,” said Line. “We knew it was critical, and to be honest, even though our run in the semifinals was one of the quickest, it was not a good run. The win light came on and I thought, ‘Well, that’s great,’ but I knew we had lost lane choice.”

Although Line had been respectable at the starting line for most of the day and launched either ahead of or right alongside his opponents in each of the preceding rounds, his reaction time in the final round proved to be the culprit in a disheartening loss. Coughlin left first, clocking a .026-second reaction time to Line’s .052, and although Line cleared the finish line with a quicker 6.578 at 210.97 mph that was the most impressive run of the day in the left lane, Coughlin turned his starting line advantage into a 6.583, 210.05 victory.

“We could have and should have won today. The silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was the best car out there this weekend, no question,” said Line, who competed in the 63rd final round appearance of his career and second of the season (he won in Houston this past spring).

“I feel like we have had the best car for a couple of weeks, but we just haven’t been able to show it. This weekend, we did. They knew we were here. To outrun him in the final, I’m obviously proud of that. We have a fast hot rod, and it’s unfortunate that I didn’t come through better as a driver. But as a team, we did great. We’re definitely going to be tough from here on out, and that feels good.”
                                          

Line Earns First No. 1 of the Season at zMAX Dragway
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 14, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line effectively preserved his position at the top of the pack at the sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals and will start from the No. 1 position on raceday for the first time this season. Line, of Mooresville, N.C., powered the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to a qualifying-best time of 6.541 at 211.86 mph on Friday night to score his first low qualifier award since the final race of the season in 2012.

Line had a true hot rod throughout qualifying and kept his Summit Racing Camaro at the top with a series of carefully executed 6.5-second runs that were consistently among the three quickest in each session. Line earned critical bonus qualifying points for his outstanding performances in every round and will add a total of nine extra marks to the pile in his run for the season title in NHRA’s 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

 “We’re really happy that we got those bonus points every run, and I think we got more points this weekend than I did all year,” laughed Line. “This weekend has already been a big confidence booster, and I’ve got a good car for sure. You have to be steady every run, though, so we just have to keep at it. I’m certainly not going to trade cars with anybody else right now.”

The No. 1 qualifier award is his first of the season, but it is also the 34th of Line’s career as a Pro Stock driver. It is the fifth time that the Summit Racing driver has started from the top spot at Charlotte’s venerable zMAX Dragway, and as the race at his home track signifies the start of the Countdown, Line notes that turning his early weekend success into a victory would contribute to a strong fight for the coveted championship.

“If we want to contend for that big trophy, we have to win here,” said Line. “It’s a must-win deal for Team Summit. I looked at my side of the ladder, and there are definitely a few tough customers there. It’s going to be a hard day.”

Line will race against veteran driver Warren Johnson in the first round of eliminations, a driver he last met in the second round at the fall race in Las Vegas in 2012; Line took the upper hand in their most recent meeting. Another potential match of note would be in the second round when Line could square off with Buddy Perkinson, the diver of the third KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro this weekend in Charlotte.

“It’s good that my teammate Greg Anderson is on the other side of the ladder, but there aren’t going to be any breaks on the way to the final,” said Line. “Buddy is a great driver, and we know what these KB Racing cars are capable of. We’ll just have to see what happens tomorrow, but I’m very happy to have a Summit Racing Camaro at the top.”

Anderson Friday in Charlotte
                                                                                     
Mooresville, N.C., September 13, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson enjoyed a good opening day at the sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals, and the three-time zMAX Dragway winner is looking for more on day two at the annual event that takes place at his home track, a facility just a few miles from the KB Racing engine shop.
 
In his first effort, Anderson was a swift 6.597 at 210.11 mph in his white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to take over the No. 6 position in the lineup, and he came back with a charging 6.556, 210.44 in the later round to preserve the position. Anderson will have two more sessions on Saturday to move up in the qualifying order.
 
“The runs my Summit Racing Camaro made today were decent, but really, they weren’t as good as we know they can be,” said Anderson. “We have a little bit of tune-up to do before we come out here tomorrow, but the good news is that my teammate, Jason Line, is the No. 1 guy right now – and that shows we can run really well here. There really isn’t any reason for one car to be faster than the other, so the project now is to figure out why we weren’t able to run with Jason. It wasn’t a bad day; in fact, it was a good day for KB Racing to put a car on the pole.
 
“The weather is supposed to be cooler tomorrow, and it’s going to be fast. We’re excited to come back out here and see what we can do to improve. The bottom line is that there are a lot of good cars out here, and they’re all separated by just a hair. We’re going to have to be perfect if we want to qualify in the top of the pack, but the Summit Racing team is absolutely capable of it.”
 
One of the tough cars in the field this weekend is one of their own. Young gun Buddy Perkinson is behind the wheel of the third KB Racing car in Charlotte, and Perkinson is currently ninth in the line-up.
 
“Buddy is a great driver, and we’re happy to have him with us this weekend,” said Anderson. “We’ve got three good cars between us, and I think tomorrow we should really have something to show for it. I don’t know if the pole will hold, but we’ll all be gunning for it, that’s for sure.”
 

Line No. 1 at the Conclusion of First Day of Qualifying in Charlotte
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 13, 2013 – The first day of qualifying ended on a high note for Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line as he raced to the provisional No. 1 spot in his streaking silver Chevrolet Camaro at the Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Line, of nearby Mooresville, N.C., took over the top spot with a breathtaking 6.541 at 211.86 mph on Friday, the opening day of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series 2013 Countdown to the Championship, bettering by a bunch his 6.586 at 210.24 that was second-quickest in the opening session.

“It’s a big deal to get those little points that are out there,” said Line, of the bonus qualifying points he earned as a reward for his excellent performances on Friday. Line earned two extra points in the first session and three in the later round.

“Somebody is going to get them, and I’d rather it was one of the Summit Racing Camaros. If you get those bonus points, it means you have a good hot rod. We can say that today, that’s for sure.”

If it holds, the No. 1 qualifying position would be his first of the 2013 season. Line’s most recent start from the pole came at the 2012 season-closer in Pomona last November. This season has been out of character for the driver who has claimed 33 No. 1 qualifier awards over the course of his career. Last season, Line started from the top of the pack nine times, and the year before that he was low qualifier at seven events.

“It’s been a strange year for the KB Racing/Summit Racing crew, but we’re finally righting the ship,” said Line. “Obviously, like everything in life, timing is everything. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re a heck of a lot closer, that’s for sure.

“I’m excited because this is the best track for me to start the Countdown, for sure,” continued Line, who has been the No. 1 qualifier at zMAX Dragway four times before. “The last two years we’ve had very good efforts here, and it’s looking like we can do the same thing again this time around. Bruton Smith’s tracks are always the best, and this one is absolutely the best of them all. It’s fun to race here and it’s also nice to sleep in my own bed. It’s also good because all the guys from the KB Racing shop were here, and for them to see the fruits of their labor is a big deal. This is a great place, and we’re all looking forward to tomorrow and then racing for the trophy on Sunday.”

Line Looks to Defend Event Title in First Race of Countdown
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 11, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line has a very strong recent record at zMAX Dragway, the esteemed facility located in Concord, N.C., just a handful of miles from the KB Racing shop in Mooresville. As the defending event titlist at this weekend’s sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals, Line is focused on a two-fold goal: defending the win and securing solid footing at the first of six races in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

Line was somewhat stymied by zMAX Dragway until last fall and had never been able to cross the finish line first in the final round at the racetrack that the Minnesota-transplant now considers his home turf. Line had regularly qualified in an exceptional manner and to date possesses four No. 1 qualifier awards in Charlotte, but on raceday, he was consistently stopped just short despite an impressive tally of three final round visits. The tide turned, however, at the fall race last season when the now 30-time national event titlist qualified in the No. 2 spot and topped then-points leader Allen Johnson in his fourth Charlotte final round to finally grab the trophy.

“The Summit Racing team gave me a Chevrolet Camaro that was bad to the bone that day,” said Line. “We went through our fair share of struggles leading up to that win, but the car was just phenomenal that weekend, and it went down the track almost every run without any issues. Thankfully, we were able to come home with a huge win, and that’s certainly something we hope to replicate this weekend.”

The forecast for the weekend ahead is a pleasing departure from the extreme temperatures and oppressive weather felt in recent weeks as the Mello Yello tour finished out the regular season, and Line, who tested relentlessly over the past several weeks, believes that Team Summit will be able to take full advantage of the optimal conditions.

“The weather looks like it could play right into our hands,” stated Line. “It should be cool and there really doesn’t look like there is much of a chance for rain. Hopefully, we’ll have low humidity. If everything comes together like it looks like it will, we think we can perform really well this weekend. It’s a good forecast that should work nicely with the KB Racing playbook, and as long as it holds up, we will have every opportunity to excel. That’s important because no matter what cards are dealt to us, Greg [Anderson, Summit Racing teammate] and I need to do well this weekend if we want to gain ground and start the Countdown right. Our game plan is definitely to put a Summit Racing Camaro in the winner’s circle.”

Enhancing the KB Racing stable of trusty steeds will be the addition of a third car driven by young gun Buddy Perkinson, a 21-year-old competitor who resides in Prince George, Va.
 
“Buddy may be young, but he has already proven his abilities as a driver out there,” said Line. “He got his start in the Jr. Drag Racing League and did pretty well in Comp, and when he moved up to Pro Stock a few years back, we knew he’d be a tough competitor. We’re excited to have him racing with us at what we consider our home track this weekend, and it will be interesting to see what he can do in a KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro.”

Perkinson, understandably enthusiastic about racing in Charlotte with a team that possesses a collective 104 national event wins and six world championships in the Pro Stock category, said, “We’ve been working on this for quite awhile. The KB Racing team is running up front where they belong, and that helped everything fall into place. The time was right, and I really appreciate that I get to be the guy to drive the third car this weekend.”

Line’s victory in Charlotte last season provided a great springboard toward what would have been his third world title. He ultimately finished second in the nation, but this year, the hungry driver is fired up to push even harder and finish one better.

“Once again it looks like it’s going to be a battle all the way until the end for the championship, and there are a lot of cars capable of winning the race this weekend,” said Line, whose teammate Anderson has three Charlotte victories. “The best we can hope for is to put a Summit Racing Camaro in the winner’s circle this weekend at zMAX Dragway, and we’ll take it from there. Right now, the focus is on winning this race – something we have proven we are very capable of.”

Anderson Eager to Kick Off Championship Chase on Home Turf
 
Mooresville, N.C., September 11, 2013 – This weekend marks a shift into high gear for competitors in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as the sixth annual Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals launch the 2013 Countdown to the Championship, the six-race run for the coveted series title. Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is entering the Countdown as the No. 7 seed, and he hopes to immediately set himself apart from the pack as a fearsome player. With a notable history at zMAX Dragway, the Mooresville, N.C.-based four-time world champ is starting the chase with statistics on his side.
 
“The KB Racing shop is just right around the corner in Mooresville, and have done a lot of testing here,” said Anderson, whose three Charlotte wins tie him with fellow Pro Stock competitor Mike Edwards as the driver with the most titles earned at the premier facility. “In the beginning, we kind of struggled with this racetrack, and so we devoted ourselves to figuring it out. It’s very important to the Summit Racing team to do well here in front of our whole crew and their families. These are the guys who put in the blood, sweat and tears every day, and they don’t get to travel to all the races across the country. This is a chance for them to see the product they work so hard on in action. We want to do well for them and make them proud, as well as all of our family and relatives and neighbors and friends.
 
“It adds a lot of what some might call pressure, but I call it excitement. It’s just a big, supportive group, and if there is ever such a thing as that intangible ‘home-court advantage,’ this is it for us. You have to make the most of it, and luckily, we’ve been able to do that.”
 
Anderson will begin the weekend on Thursday night with the annual B.R.A.K.E.S. Benefit Dinner, a gala fundraiser to support B.R.A.K.E.S., a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving (putonthebrakes.com).
 
On Friday, the Countdown to the Championship will officially begin, and Anderson, who has finished in the semifinals in each of the most recent four events, is looking to go two steps further.
 
“We aren’t going in seeded where we would have liked,” admitted Anderson. “We’re starting a little bit behind the eight ball, and that puts extra emphasis on the first race for the KB Racing team. We cannot afford to go out and make a bad start. We have to make up some ground this weekend with our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros. You can’t wait or you’ll run out of time. It’s got to happen for us this weekend, and I feel great about our chance of excelling. We’ve put in a lot of time at zMAX Dragway in the last few weeks testing, the weather looks great and is playing into our hands, and I think the deck is set. Now it just comes down to executing, and Team Summit is very capable of getting the job done.”

Anderson Back in the Game After Another Great Outing at U.S. Nationals
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., September 2, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is enjoying the upswing that he has been waiting for all season long. Another powerful showing, this time at the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis, has the four-time series world champion in an optimistic frame of mind as NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship is ready for launch.
 
The driver of the white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was enthusiastic following four sessions of qualifying at the event that stretched across a long holiday weekend. Anderson’s performance included a qualifying best time of 6.640 at 208.10 mph and a bonus point earned in the final session as the third-quickest of the round.
 
In the opening act of eliminations, Anderson utilized a .024-second reaction time and a 6.624 at 208.49 to better Greg Stanfield’s .027 and 6.680, 206.04, and the victory set the Mooresville, N.C.-based driver up for a second round meeting with young gun Rickie Jones. Jones was stellar at the tree, recording a near-perfect .003-second reaction time, but old pro Anderson was quickly on his tail, launching with a very swift .009 and pairing it with a 6.673 to top a troubled Jones, who slowed to an 8.027.
 
A six-time U.S. Nationals winner and eight-time finalist at the prestigious and historic event, Anderson felt confident despite a lack of lane choice as he entered the semifinals for a meeting with points leader Mike Edwards. Luck had previously been on Anderson’s side in Indy, but this time good fortune fell on the other side as the two Chevrolet Camaro drivers clocked identical 6.640s and Anderson bested his opponent on speed, 208.36 to 207.46 but win light flashed in Edwards’ lane. The margin of victory was a mere .011-second in Edwards’ favor due to a .012 reaction to Anderson’s respectable .023.
 
“The good news is, we’ve got cars that are ready to win races,” said Anderson. “We were very close to being able to win the U.S. Nationals today, and we’re back in the game. We’ve got a week off to work on our stuff and try to get it better for Charlotte, and we want to win that first race of the Countdown. The Summit Racing team will be testing at zMAX Dragway this week for two days, and hopefully we’ll make some performance gains, come to the next race and run low e.t. of each round. That’s what we’re looking for.”
 
The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals marked the last event to earn points and jockey for positions before NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, and Anderson enters the chase for the biggest trophy of the season in the No. 7 spot. His teammate, Jason Line, is No. 6.
 
“One of the two of us needs to win that race,” said Anderson. “Going in seeded that low, you really don’t have any mulligans left. You have to come out of the gate strong, and hopefully we can make up even more ground at our test session. It’s a dogfight out here right now. There are a lot of cars that can win this thing; it’s wide open. We’re happy with our Summit Racing Camaros, and if we can gain a little bit of an edge in performance this week, we’ll have an even better shot at that big trophy.”
 

Line’s Chevrolet Camaro Among the Quickest on Raceday at U.S. Nationals
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., September 2, 2013 – Pro Stock driver Jason Line exchanged his blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro for the silver car piloted by teammate Greg Anderson earlier this season just before the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis, and the trade-in proved effective as he had one of the quickest cars during eliminations at the most revered and historic race on NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour.
 
Although somewhat disappointed by a disjointed group of qualifying sessions that included hot and sticky conditions as well as a thunderous downpour that washed away one round of the anticipated five, Line qualified his new ride in the No. 7 position with a best time of 6.645, 207.98 recorded in a session where he stood out as the only driver to improve.
 
Line maintained the position that he had the best car on the property at Lucas Oil Raceway, and he and teammate Greg Anderson had exceptionally well-matched cars on raceday, with each of the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros crossing the finish line with a 6.624-second blast in their respective first round matches and the KB Racing duo tied for third-quickest of the opening act and second-quickest of the Chevrolets, an honor that would hold throughout eliminations. The only quicker Chevrolet on the property on raceday belonged to event winner Mike Edwards.
 
“There is some sense of pride in making gains over where we were earlier in the season, and we’re definitely better than we were even just a month ago,” said Line, who utilized his 6.624 at 208.68 mph to oust Pro Stock returner Curt Steinbach in the first round before he was felled by V. Gaines in the quarterfinals, 6.644 to 6.625.
 
“The truth is that we still have a lot of work to do if we want to make a good impression in the Countdown. Team Summit has made a lot of good decisions lately, and we plan to continue doing that and picking up as much as we can. We aren’t as fast as we want to be by any means, but we can and will get there. This is a great group of people who work very hard, and this week we are going to get right back to testing on the racetrack. The trucks have already left for home, and we’re on the way to a pretty important test session at zMAX Dragway before the first race of the Countdown.”
 
Line, a two-time series champion, will enter the Countdown to the Championship in the No. 6 position, one spot above Anderson. He says that the current plan is to continue driving the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
 
“We felt like this car was a closer match to Greg’s white Summit Racing Camaro, and clearly, we were correct in our line of thinking,” said Line. “Now the goal is obviously to get them both faster. It’s always a race in this class to gain horsepower and speed, but now the pressure is on. We don’t plan on wasting any time.”
 

Line Sets the Stage for a Better Raceday at U.S. Nationals
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., September 1, 2013 – Jason Line made a major move for his team in the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro on the final day of qualifying at the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Heading into the fourth and final session, Line and Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson were on the same side of the ladder, but Line dug up the power to shake things up and set a much more appealing scene.
 
Sunday brought about improved conditions, with a temperature drop of approximately 10 degrees and a receptive racing surface. Line’s Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro had been the star of the show on Saturday night when he clicked off a 6.690 at 206.95 mph that was the quickest of the lot, and so expectations were high when the new day dawned.
 
Line was shocked, however, by a non-stellar 6.649, 208.33 that set him eighth, and his position on the same side of the ladder as Anderson was disheartening. In true Summit Racing style, Line came back with a run that made a lot more sense in the closing act: his 6.645, 207.98 was his best of the weekend, and the Minnesota native was the only driver in the entire session to improve. The time moved him up one position for a start from the No. 7 spot and, thankfully, across the ladder from Anderson.
 
“I’m still not happy with qualifying seventh,” said Line. “But seventh is way better than eighth, especially in this case. Without question, the main focus for that session was to move up so that we could get on the other side of the ladder, away from my teammate. We made such a lousy run in the first session that we really felt like we could move up, and thankfully, we did. It wasn’t a run that I would call our best, but we moved up and that was exactly what we needed to do.”
 
In addition to moving into a better position to suit the team, Line also ensured that he would not have to run into two of the toughest cars out there in the second round, should they advance.
 
“I’d rather that Allen Johnson and Mike Edwards race each other second round than race me,” said Line of the potential match-up. “If they both make it to the second round, one of two very good cars is going to go away, and that helps us all.”
 
Line’s first round opponent is Curt Steinbach, who raced in the 1980s and has competed as a sportsman in Competition Eliminator and Top Sportsman. Their match will be the first time the two have raced against one another.
 
“I like our chances tomorrow. Today ended up good, but it was really frustrating because we left some out there,” said Line. “This Summit Racing Camaro is the best car on the grounds here in Indianapolis, but we didn’t show anybody that today. It’s disappointing, but we have tomorrow, and fortunately, by moving up the ladder we gave ourselves a better opportunity. If I do my job and we get the racecar making the runs that it is absolutely capable of, we’re going to be fast – and it’s going to be good.”
 

Anderson Prepared for Dogfight on Raceday in Indy
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., September 1, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is getting a real kick out of the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals this year, with each day of the extended event proving to be better than the last. The Mooresville, N.C.-based driver and six-time Indy winner is hoping he saved the best for last as Monday eliminations come into view.
 
On the final day of qualifying, Anderson put together two great runs to solidify a start from the No. 4 position and a first-round match with Greg Stanfield at the biggest and most prestigious race on NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Anderson opened the day with a qualifying best 6.640 at 208.10 mph and finished with an equally impressive 6.645, 207.88 that was third quickest of the session for the Pro Stockers and came with a bonus qualifying point.
 
As has been the case many times this season, Mother Nature once again played a role in the first two days of qualifying, bringing blazing temperatures and water-logged air followed by buckets of rain and hail that fully eliminated one of the five scheduled sessions. Sunday, however, brought about some relief in the form of slightly cooler air and a bit of a cloud cover.
 
“The weather was a curveball today, but in the right direction,” said Anderson, who recorded a 6.675 at 206.80 in the first session on Friday and followed up with a 6.718, 205.63 on Saturday before rain washed away the third session.
 
“It was just so sticky and hot the last two days that it was difficult to get our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros to do what we wanted them to do, and obviously the racetrack wasn’t good either because it was too hot. We got a big change today with the weather, and the racetrack got a lot better because it was 10 degrees cooler. The motors came alive and made more power, and that made for runs that were a whole lot better and cleaner.
 
“It was just easier to tune the cars, and the KB Racing team did a good job today. We definitely showed promise, and I think we can do even better tomorrow. It’s going to be a real dogfight out there – there are a lot of fast cars, but my teammate Jason Line and I have two of them. That’s a good feeling going into raceday.”
 
Anderson’s most recent meeting with scheduled first round opponent Stanfield was in Bristol earlier this season, when he ousted the Louisiana-based driver in the first round on his way to a semifinals finish. On Monday, Anderson’s goal will be to eliminate Stanfield once more and then bring home as many round wins as possible in order to gain prime positioning as the Countdown to the Championship kicks off at the next race on the tour in two weeks.
 
“Tomorrow looks promising for Team Summit,” said Anderson. “Jason and I are on opposite sides of the ladder, and we have two strong cars. We’ve got a good chance tomorrow to run for Indy gold. You just never know, it could be a good day tomorrow.”
 

Summit Racing Shines on Abbreviated Second Day of Indy Qualifying
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., August 31, 2013 – The second day of qualifying at the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals was shortened by one session due to a deluge of rain that canceled the evening session but didn’t dampen the spirits of the hard-charging Summit Racing Pro Stock team. Drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line were more than pleased with the overall outcome of the day as Anderson protected his position as the No. 4 man in the qualifying order and Line made the quickest pass of the day for the Pro Stock cars to earn three coveted bonus points.
 
Line and Anderson lined up side-by-side during the afternoon session of qualifying on Saturday to take both of the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros for a quick journey down the quarter-mile dragstrip. The hot racetrack didn’t allow for much improvement, if any, for the competitors in the category, but Anderson clocked a 6.718 at 205.63 mph that was eighth best out of the plump field of 23 cars jockeying for position. In the opposite lane, Line raced to a 6.690 at 206.95 that was a hundredth of a second ahead of the next quickest car in the session and the only car to run in the 6.60-zone.
 
“That was arguably the best run I’ve made all season long,” said Line. “It was a nice run, and I felt like coming here, the KB Racing team had the ability to do that. But saying it is one thing; doing it is another. All our Summit Racing guys did a good job today, and I didn’t mess it up – so I was pretty happy.”
 
Although Anderson didn’t achieve the results he was hoping for on day two of the event, he was extremely encouraged by his partner’s solid pass.
 
“We missed a little bit on my run today but Jason’s car made a very nice run,” said Anderson. “We know we can run fast with both of our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros, so we’ll look forward to tomorrow. We’re disappointed to lose that second run today because you always think you can improve with every shot out there, but we’re all in the same boat – every driver out here wanted that second run. We’re all dealt the same set of cards. It’s been a tough, hot weekend but it looks like we’re able to perform just fine in these conditions. We’ll just have to make the right decisions tomorrow morning and hopefully both of our KB Racing cars will be fast and we can move up the ladder.”

Anderson Pleased with Good Start for Summit Racing on First Day in Indy
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., August 30, 2013 – The first day of qualifying at the biggest and most historic race on NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing tour is in the books, with Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson holding down the No. 4 position at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis and looking to move up with four more qualifying sessions remaining.
 
The Mooresville, N.C.-based driver seemed to have little trouble addressing the challenging, hot and humid conditions and drove his white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.675 at 206.80 mph in the single allotted run on the first day of the event.
 
“Today was definitely not a bad start,” said Anderson. “Obviously, these are tough, tough conditions, with the heat holding back power for these Pro Stock engines. Everybody struggled a little bit out there, and we didn’t make great runs, but we’re still right in the hunt. That’s a good feeling after the first day. So we’ll make some changes and then come back tomorrow and try harder. It’s going to be almost as hot out there, and hopefully we can manage the racetrack a little bit better.”

Temperatures soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the air was thick with humidity, not only slowing down the racecars but also draining the energy of race teams.

“It’s a challenge to work in these conditions, sure, but it’s the same for everyone,” said Anderson. “At the end of the day, somebody is going to have the car that runs the fastest, and somebody is going to win the race. It’s not going to say anything in the record book about how hot it was or how much the guys on the team had to sweat through it. You’ve got to motor through and just act like the conditions are perfect out there. You do the best you can. As for today, we certainly aren’t disappointed. We’ve had a decent start, and we think we can run a lot better. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
 

Line Gets Familiar with Silver Chevrolet Camaro on Day One of U.S. Nationals
 
BROWNSBURG, Ind., August 30, 2013 – Jason Line was behind the wheel of a trusty Summit Racing Pro Stocker on day one of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, but it wasn’t the familiar blue ride he has been piloting all season long. Instead, Line is wheeling the silver Chevrolet Camaro driven earlier in the season by Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson, and he is already enjoying the ride.
 
“I’m just so tired of blue; every car I have is blue and I’m looking forward to a change of scenery,” joked Line, whose personal collection of vehicles includes a pair of blue muscle cars. “But in all seriousness, we’ve been getting comfortable with the white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro that Greg has been driving lately, and this silver car is much closer to his, so we thought we would bring it out and see if we could make it run as well as that one does.”
 
The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is a marathon race that stretches across four days for the pro categories, and the first day of the event offers a single qualifying pass, with two more sessions scheduled for Saturday and two final rounds on Sunday before eliminations kick off on Labor Day Monday.
 
Line made several test runs in the silver Camaro before the U.S. Nationals, and in his first pass down the venerable quarter-mile racetrack near Indianapolis crossed the finish line with a 6.688 at 207.59 mph to close out the day provisionally positioned sixth in the line-up.
 
“It shook the tires at the starting line, and I was making progress but just ran out of racetrack,” said Line. “The run actually looked pretty good in the back half [of the racetrack], and tomorrow if we can do better earlier in the run, we’ll be pretty fast. We definitely see room for improvement, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Line Plans to Take Previous U.S. Nationals Success one Step Further
 
Mooresville, N.C., August 28, 2013 – Pro Stock racer Jason Line has seen the inside of the final round at the most historic race on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, and this season the 30-time national event winner intends to turn on one more win light in his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro and make his way to the winner’s circle at the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at venerable Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
 
Line, of Mooresville, N.C., was a first-time finalist at the event in 2011, when Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson was the only driver who could stop a charging Line, the No. 1 qualifier, from earning his first U.S. Nationals win. Although the race in Indianapolis has been a particular challenge for Line himself, the collective Summit Racing group has been remarkably successful at the facility. Anderson’s win there in 2011 netted his sixth Indy trophy, and Line’s 6.538-second blast that held as the quickest qualifying time that same year stands to this day as the Lucas Oil Raceway track record for elapsed time.
 
“There is a lot of pride and honor associated with this race,” said Line, whose most recent win on the 2013 tour was at the spring race in Houston. “There’s no doubt about it, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the U.S. Nationals every year, and this year is no exception. We’ve logged quite a few hours testing our Camaros since the last race, and I can promise you that the Summit Racing team has been spending a lot of time both on and off and track making sure we have everything ready to go for this one and the six that follow it.”
 
The significance of the U.S. Nationals extends beyond an acknowledged position as the most prestigious and historic race on the circuit; it also marks the conclusion of the regular season and the beginning of NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, the six-race run for the series title. Line has twice before come out on top when the curtain dropped, and he is currently positioned No. 6 in the Pro Stock standings.
 
Aside from the stature of the U.S. Nationals, the event is also an extended weekend that requires stamina and careful plotting as teams are allowed one qualifying run on Friday, two on Saturday, and two more on Sunday before final eliminations begin on Labor Day.
 
“On one hand, it’s really good because we get an extra qualifying run to learn a little more before raceday,” said Line. “But on the other hand, it can be pretty exhausting for the crew, and the weather looks like it will be pretty warm all weekend long. Thankfully, the KB Racing team has never really had a problem maintaining a high level of energy. We’re pretty fortunate to have a great group of guys and a couple of good racecars at this point in the season. I think it would be fair to say that we expect to see a Summit Racing Camaro in the winner’s circle on Monday, and we would be pretty disappointed with anything less.”
 

Anderson Looks to Continue Resurgence at U.S. Nationals
 
Mooresville, N.C., August 27, 2013 – The early part of the 2013 season of NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series brought about a string of challenges for veteran Pro Stock driver and Summit Racing campaigner Greg Anderson, but the four-time world champion is familiar with challenge and kept his nose to the grindstone. His persistence and the wherewithal of his tireless team look to have negotiated change, and the timing could not be better.
 
As the Mooresville, N.C.-based group sets up shop at Lucas Oil Raceway, the hallowed grounds of this weekend’s 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Anderson is just short of elated.
 
“To me, Indy has always been more special than every other one,” said Anderson. “Maybe the pressure to gain a position or two before the Countdown starts has changed that for some people, but it sure hasn’t changed it for me. Indy is the biggest feather in your cap, the coolest race to win. It’s a tough one, but the Summit Racing team always embraces the challenge, and we’ve had a lot of great luck there. It’s a special feeling when you roll in the gate at that joint, and it’s certainly a race that we look forward to every year.”
 
In preparation for what is lauded as one of the most prestigious and historic events on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour, Anderson and Team Summit brought their Chevrolet Camaros out for a test session last week at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, a facility located not too far from their KB Racing shop in Mooresville, N.C.
 
“We’re excited; we had a week to test our Summit Racing Camaros, and we were on the racetrack three days last week after we left the last race [in Brainerd, Minn.],” said Anderson. “We had a great race in Brainerd, and we’re confident that we’ll have an even better product to bring to the U.S. Nationals. This year has truly been a tough one for this team, and I’m still chasing a win. But now, I’m feeling like we have the opportunity to win a race or two.”
 
Anderson has been a familiar face in the winner’s circle over the course of a driving career that has spanned 15 years and has amassed 74 national event titles – six of them earned at the U.S. Nationals. This weekend will stand as the 13th time the Minnesota-born competitor has challenged for a coveted Indy title, but the conditions at this season’s event will be somewhat different than in recent recollection.
 
“It’s going to be very hot there this year, and it hasn’t been that hot in a lot of years at that particular race,” said Anderson, currently seventh in NHRA’s Pro Stock standings. “It will be a different experience, a new kind of challenge, and we’ll have our work cut out for us. But I love this race. A lot of people are intimidated by it because it’s such a big event, and everybody brings something special. Cars seem to run better, and everyone saves something in their tank for this one, so it’s super tough to win. But if I could find a way to win Indy, it would make me forget about the first part of the season. I’d be very happy going into the Countdown.”
 

Line Enthused by Progress of Summit Racing Team in Brainerd
 
BRAINERD, Minn., August 18, 2013 – Make no mistake, Pro Stock racer Jason Line always wants to win, especially at his home track of Brainerd International Raceway. But at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the Summit Racing driver was easily able to walk away from the event with confidence and a wide grin, despite the trophy landing in someone else’s camp.

Line, a native of Wright, Minn., qualified in the top half of the field in his blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Starting from the No. 7 spot, the Mooresville, N.C.-transplant scored a round win in the opening act when opponent Shane Gray fouled out by .005-second. A 6.621 at 209.56 wasn’t enough to get lane choice over his second round challenger, but there was little concern as Line knew that the win light would come on in the lane of a Summit Racing car, regardless; the car in the other lane belonged to teammate Greg Anderson.

Anderson had been an exceptional force throughout the weekend, qualifying in the No. 2 position – his best of the season – and easily clicking off the second-quickest pass of the first round. When the two squared off in the second round of eliminations at Brainerd International Raceway, Anderson took the edge at the starting line and held on for a 6.608, 208.14 victory over Line’s 6.623, 208.52. Anderson had the quickest car two of the three rounds he contested on Sunday. Line, an integral part of the engine development for KB Racing, would have loved to earn his first Brainerd win in front of so much family and so many friends, but to see such monumental gains for the Summit Racing team held great merit.

“We didn’t win the race this weekend, but it was still a very good weekend for the Summit Racing team, and really, I couldn’t be much happier without winning the race,” said Line. “We will be tougher from here on out, there is no question about that, so all-in-all, we have to look at the positives that came from this weekend. We’re very excited.”

In addition to the Summit Racing progress, Line was extremely pleased with the success of a friend and longtime sportsman racer, Bill Feist, of Maple Grove, Minn. Feist, who runs his ’69 Mustang in Stock Eliminator with power supplied by the Line family’s Line Performance race shop and enhanced with components from Summit Racing Equipment, won his first national event on Sunday. Feist is 64 years old.

“Oh man, that made my whole day,” said Line. “Somebody asked me this morning what I thought was going to happen today, and I said, ‘I sure hope Bill Feist can win.’ He’s just a great guy, and he’s been racing a long time. I’m super excited for him.”

For Line and the Summit Racing team, it’s right back to work to prepare for the Countdown to the Championship. Line is currently sixth in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings and has secured his position to race for the third championship trophy of his career.

“We’re going to test this week at zMAX Raceway, and see what the Summit Racing team can do to build on what we did here this weekend,” said Line. “We’re in a great position right now, but we will be looking for more before the Countdown starts.”
 

Anderson Gains Performance, Leaves Brainerd Smiling
 
BRAINERD, Minn., August 18, 2013 – Summit Racing driver Greg Anderson absolutely had the car to beat at Brainerd International Raceway as he pursued a fourth Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals victory, and for the first time this year, he dominated during eliminations with elapsed times that stood above and beyond his competitors. Anderson didn’t score the trophy at his home track this weekend, but the Duluth, Minn.-raised Pro Stock pilot set the tone for the rest of the season with a powerful performance.

Anderson put together a series of remarkable runs during qualifying with a best time of 6.588 at 209.10 mph to start from the lofty No. 2 spot on raceday. The outstanding qualifying position stood as his best start since the Topeka race in 2012, and Anderson was fired up to repeat victories earned in Brainerd in 2003, 2009 and 2011.

In the first round, the Mooresville, N.C.-transplant was strong at the starting line with a .029-second reaction time while opponent Deric Kramer was too early and fouled out by .096. Anderson powerfully raced ahead in his white Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to clock a 6.604 at 209.33 mph that was second quickest in terms of e.t. and speed in the opening act.

The round win was a definite victory, but it also paired Anderson with KB Racing teammate Jason Line, who hails from Wright, Minn. Anderson grabbed an immediate advantage at the starting line, launching with a swift .024 to Line’s .049 and closing the door on his friendly foe with a best of the round 6.608 at 208.14 mph to Line’s 6.623, 208.52.

Anderson had the best car again in the semifinals when he tripped the final timer on the racetrack with an awesome 6.604 at 209.46, bettering his spectacular opening-round pass by just a smidge. Unfortunately, opponent V. Gaines stole a sizeable advantage at the starting line and turned it into a win at the top end, clocking a 6.632 that bested Anderson’s 6.604 by .01-second.

“It was still a hugely positive weekend,” said Anderson, who had already clinched a spot to compete for the big trophy in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship and effectively preserved his position as seventh in the series standings. “We honestly have not had cars that could win races this year, but we had one here today. I should have won this race. I’m excited, and I’m very happy with the tremendous progress that the Summit Racing team has made in the past week. I’m very proud of these guys. They didn’t give up when times were tough, they kept digging, kept fighting, and it looks like we’ve finally turned a corner.”

The next event on the 2013 tour is the Chevy Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, the biggest and arguably the most historic race of the series, and the last race on the calendar before the Countdown to the Championship kicks off.

“Jason and I both locked in our spots to race for the championship, and that’s the first goal, you have to get in before you can even think about winning,” Anderson continued. “I am of the opinion that if we qualify for the chase but we don’t have a chance of winning it, what’s the sense of being in it? After this weekend, I can safely say that not only are we are in, we actually have a chance to win it. I feel confident now saying that we belong in that chase.

“We had a chance to win today. We had the best car on the grounds. That was pretty impressive, and I think we caught the attention of a lot of people. What we learned this weekend was a season-changer. Hopefully, we can progress from there and be a serious threat in the Countdown.”

Anderson Enjoys Best Qualifying Performance of the Year in Brainerd
 
BRAINERD, Minn., August 17, 2013 – Qualifying is complete at Brainerd International Raceway and Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson is enthusiastic and ready for raceday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals following the best string of qualifying passes he has made all season. Anderson, of nearby Duluth, Minn., will start from the No. 2 position – his best start since the Topeka race in mid-2012.

In the first session of qualifying, Anderson was a speedy 6.600 at 209.01 mph at the finish line and was second quickest for the session. The expeditious journey down the quarter-mile was just .007-second behind the No. 1 qualifier and was good for a pair of bonus qualifying points. After closing out the first day of the event with a 6.609 at 209.17 mph, Anderson came to the table on day two loaded for a remarkable 6.588 at 209.10 mph that was quickest of the round to generate three more bonus points. In the final session, Anderson was again among the quickest of the factory hot rods with a strong and solid 6.604, 208.97 that brought in another coveted bonus qualifying point.

“I think I’ve gotten more bonus points this weekend than I have all year,” said Anderson, who will race with Deric Kramer in the first round of eliminations. “We’ve had good qualifying sessions and made four really nice runs, so I’m excited and happy. We definitely made some ground. We had a good test this week and obviously that is showing. I think everyone on the Summit Racing team is happy that we are finally able to see some fruits of our labor. We’ve been working hard and haven’t had much to show for it, but we are doing a better job.

“We could have a great chance tomorrow of winning the race, and that means a lot to both Jason [Line, Summit Racing teammate] and I, to perform well at this racetrack that we love and to have a chance to win. If we continue to race smart and do the things we’re doing, we’ll have that chance. This was definitely the best group of four qualifying runs I’ve had all year, without a doubt.”

Anderson is no stranger to quick times in Brainerd; he was the No. 1 qualifier in 2004, 2006 and 2008. However, coming so close to grabbing the No. 1 spot this time around doesn’t leave the 74-time national event winner disappointed.

“I don’t look at it that way,” said Anderson, currently seventh in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings. “I’m more pleased than disappointed because we’ve gained so much, and I would accept this as a major step forward. If we can make gains in the next few weeks like we made this week, before we get to Indy and the Countdown, then we should be a serious player. The positive way outweighs that negative. We’re excited about tomorrow. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Line Has a Positive Vibe Heading into Raceday in Brainerd
 
BRAINERD, Minn., August 17, 2013 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line has been enjoying a very full weekend at Brainerd International Raceway and the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The Wright, Minn., native has been surrounded by friends and family at the racetrack where he grew up, and he has had the pleasure of seeing the Summit Racing team work together to make progress with both of their Pro Stock steeds at one of the most special events on the tour for Line and teammate Greg Anderson, who hails from Duluth, Minn.

Line, currently sixth in NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock points, qualified in the No. 7 position and will have lane choice over Shane Gray in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.

“The biggest challenge this weekend has really just been trying to see and talk to everyone that’s here to see us,” said Line, a second-generation drag racer. “I love coming here, and I love being home. It’s hard to split your time and do everything justice, but it’s been great.

“My Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro is certainly looking better and better, and we’ve got a ways to go before we’re really where we want to be, but I’m very excited that Greg’s car made three real nice runs. That’s a really big deal, and I think it’s just in time for the Countdown, he’s going to have a car that he can contend with.”

Anderson is the No. 2 qualifier in Brainerd and will make his best start of the season, and Line made a series of strong runs that weren’t too far off target. His 6.628 at 209.17 started the weekend with a top-half effort that continued as a theme. The second session held Line’s best time of the weekend so far, a 6.603, 209.62 that momentarily boosted him to the No. 6 spot.

Day two produces a 6.621, 208.88 and a 6.616, 209.39, and Line settled into his final qualifying position of seventh.

“Today’s runs weren’t great, and there is certainly room for improvement,” said Line. “But we can see what needs to happen. Getting there might be a little bit of a challenge, but it’s one that the KB Racing team is up for. I feel good about tomorrow – better than I’ve felt in awhile. Team Summit has one really good racecar, and one pretty good racecar. We are pretty darn close to having two Summit Racing hot rods that can contend for the championship. First, we get to race tomorrow at a track where we all feel at home.”