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.”
