Line Seeking First Indy Win and Big Points Payoff at U.S. Nationals
Mooresville, N.C., September 1, 2015 – There are very few racetracks where Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock racer Jason Line has not seen the inside of the winner’s circle. It may be difficult to believe, but Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is one of the facilities where Line, a 12-year veteran of the category, has yet to score a Wally trophy. This weekend at the 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Line hopes to right that wrong and come out on top. It would mean a whole lot more this season as he is No. 4 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings, and points are valued at one and a half times their normal worth at this year’s rendition of the esteemed event before the field is set for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
If one were to be particular, Line has actually won at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. In 2014, the driver of the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro earned the Brainerd trophy in a weather-delayed finish of the Lucas Oil Nationals that were completed during U.S. Nationals qualifying.
It was the first time that Line hoisted a trophy on the hallowed grounds in Indianapolis, but it was not the first time he had known success there. In fact, Line grabbed hold of the track record for elapsed time at Indy in 2011, and it still stands at 6.538-seconds. He was No. 1 qualifier that year and raced to the final round, where KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson took the trophy in an all Summit Racing final round.
“For the last couple of years, I’ve tried to take a little bit of a different approach to racing at the U.S. Nationals, and I think that’s worked out better for me,” said Line. “I’m excited to go back this year because I really like the fact that it’s worth points and a half. That’s a big deal, and obviously, that can change our position and help us heading into the Countdown to the Championship. It’s more important now than ever for me.”
Last year at this time, Line was No. 1 heading into the chase, and it was a Battle Royale for the big trophy that came right down to the wire. The championship was decided in the final hours, and Line just barely missed garnering a third NHRA Pro Stock title in the last round of the last race. His fourth place stance at the current juncture is surprising following a very strong start to the 2015 season. The 37-time Pro Stock winner has claimed two wins in four final rounds so far this year but has also posted four first-round losses.
“Two weeks ago in Brainerd, we got to the final round, and that was definitely better,” said Line. “My car hasn’t been as great as it was earlier this year, but we made it better as the weekend progressed, and my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was the best car by the end of the weekend. I feel good about that, and that gives us a great starting point for this weekend at a very important race.
“For whatever reason, I generally do well after this point, but this time of year has historically not been my time of year. I’m ready to make some really, really good Indy memories this weekend. Last year was my best so far, and hopefully this time will be even better.”