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.”