Line Displays Power on Day One of NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 31, 2014 – Jason Line has history at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and this weekend at the 14th annual NHRA Nationals – the fifth of six races in the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship – the driver who holds the current track records for speed and elapsed time is again finding the power. Timing is critical with just two races remaining before the championship is decided, and after the first day of qualifying, incoming points leader Line is on track for a strong finish.
Line, driving the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro out of the Ken Black Racing stable of Pro Stockers, made a nice and smooth run in the first session at his team owner’s home track. Sailing down the smooth quarter-mile surface to a 6.665-second pass at 207.75 mph set Line in the No. 5 position in the qualifying order.
“It was a good run, we just weren’t aggressive enough,” said Line. “It was certainly slower than we had hoped.”
So they turned it up a notch, and the two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champ picked up some in both e.t. and speed. The efforts proved effective, and Line scored a bonus qualifying point for clocking the third-quickest run of the round with a 6.655, 207.59 in the Rob Downing-tuned Summit steed.
“Well, the numbers on the scoreboard were better, but really, we’re a little disappointed because the track got better and we weren’t able to keep up with it,” said Line. “The good news is that we have two more opportunities tomorrow to get to where we want to be, and we’ll be taking full advantage of them. We’re making some changes with my car tonight, and hopefully, those changes will get us closer to the goal.”
The ultimate goal, of course, is for Line to maintain the points lead and strengthen his advantage over the competition heading into the last race of the year in Pomona in two weeks, but the seasoned drag racer is dialed in and remaining focused on the task at hand.
“Right now, I’m not looking at the big picture,” said Line. “Right now, I’m just thinking about what it will take to win this race.”