Line keeps the goal in mind heading into raceday in Chicago
CHICAGO, ILL. (June 28, 2014) – Jason Line and the Summit Racing Pro Stock team banded together in difficult conditions and put both of their Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros in the top half of the field at the 17th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Line, starting from the No. 4 position, will race Mark Martino in the first round of eliminations on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway, a facility where the two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion has three wins in five final rounds.
Line powered the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.605-second blast at 209.14 mph in the first round of qualifying and jumped right into the No. 2 position. In the second session under the lights in Chicago, Line improved to a 6.604, 208.78.
Acknowledging that the humid conditions and hot racetrack were outside of their comfort zone, Line was enthused by the strong start and entered the second day of the event with optimism about the potential of the Summit Racing Camaros.
Line’s 6.625 in the first session on Saturday was fifth best, and in the final round of qualifying, he clocked a 6.626, 208.91 that was again fifth quickest of the lot. Meanwhile, KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson was right on his heels. Ultimately, Anderson qualified in the No. 8 position to earn his second top-half qualifying start of the year.
“These conditions are definitely not our forte,” admitted Line. “Taking that into consideration, I’d say we did really well as a team. The Summit Racing guys came here knowing that it would be tough – mostly because you never know what the weather is going to be – but thankfully we got four sessions in and made some really good runs. Greg certainly showed signs of improvement, and that makes us all happy.”
Line’s first-round meeting with Martino will be his first of the year. The last time the two have met during eliminations was one year ago when Line beat Martino in the first round here at Route 66 Raceway.
“The last run we made tonight was a good run, and that means I have a decent car,” said Line. “That makes you feel pretty good going into raceday. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and racing Martino. If we get past that round and then win another, we could meet up with my Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson in the semifinals – we’d be happy to take that. It would definitely put a Summit Camaro in the final round, and that’s the goal. That’s always the goal.”