Event:  31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Location: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.

Day/Date: Sunday, August 19, 2012

Jason Line and the Summit Racing team faced a tall order entering Sunday’s final eliminations of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.  After all, starting ninth, they would have to relinquish lane choice to Ronnie Humphrey in the first round, who would be racing the Genuine Hotrod Hardware GXP that carried Line to the title in 2011.  Fortunately, Line was able to use a two-hundredths of a second starting line advantage and a 6.592-second, 210.18 mph pass to defeat Humphrey, who posted a 6.622-second elapsed time and 209.33 mph top speed.

Line’s path to his first home state win did not get any easier in the second round, as he would face No. 1 qualifier Erica Enders.  Facing an apparent performance disadvantage and racing once again without lane choice, the reigning champion knew he would need every possible benefit in order to advance.  Responding to the challenge, Line left the starting line with an almost-perfect .007 reaction time to gain a slight edge.  However, his 6.595-second, 210.64 mph run was not enough to hold off his opponent’s charge, who used a 6.545-second, 210.31 mph pass to gain the win.

Although naturally disappointed to have missed scoring a win in his home state, Line was rather philosophical after the run, viewing this current streak as nothing more than a temporary setback.

“This is just a bump a road that we’ll have to overcome, and we will,” said Line.  “We just didn’t make what we would consider a good run this weekend, which is something you have to do to win in this class.  For example in the second round, it never got the front end up.  When it does that it waffles the tires because it doesn’t have enough bite which caused it to spin the tires extremely hard. It’s an easy thing to look at and spot but hard to fix.

“However, it could have been a lot worse.  We did learn a few things about our Summit Racing Camaro today that we can hopefully apply moving forward.  For example, on our two runs today, we finally started to show some speed, which is certainly a positive.  You have to look at this as a big orchestra, with every piece having to work together, which is a challenge to do.

Event:  31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Location: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.

Day/Date: Saturday, August 18, 2012

After using his four qualifying attempts as erstwhile test sessions, Summit Racing Camaro racer Jason Line looked forward to switching back to race mode in time for Sunday’s final eliminations of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.  During the first two days, he made four representative runs, highlighted by his 6.590-second, 209.07 mph best on Friday afternoon to earn the ninth starting position.  With his spot in the field secure, the reigning NHRA Pro Stock champion turned his attention towards the pursuit of his first home state national event win.

Ironically, Line’s day will start against No. 8 starter Ronnie Humphrey, who runs the Genuine Hot Rod Hardware Pontiac out of the KB Racing stable, and is, in fact, the same car that carried Line to the title in 2011.

“Although we certainly would have liked to make more progress in qualifying, it could have been worse,” said Line.  “Hopefully we will put something more conventional in this Summit Racing Camaro for tomorrow, allowing us to have a decent race day.  We actually have a pretty decent car, and even though it might not be the best one on the grounds, we can go some rounds tomorrow, and it doesn’t mean we can’t win.

Event:  31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Location: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.

Day/Date: Saturday, August 18, 2012

On the strength of a 6.582-second, 210.54 mph pass made on his second attempt on Friday afternoon, Greg Anderson qualified his Summit Racing Pro Stock Camaro in the fifth position for Sunday’s final eliminations of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.  With Saturday’s slightly warmer temperatures preventing any changes among the top qualifiers, Anderson and the KB Racing crew renewed their efforts to learn as much as possible about their new race cars.

Although Anderson was able to record the fifth-quickest pass of the morning session at 6.601-seconds, and concluded his qualifying effort with a representative 6.625-second, 209.52 mph pass, as he prepared for his first-round encounter with No. 12 qualifier Mark Martino, he acknowledged the team was looking to have as productive a day as possible before heading home for some much-needed test sessions.

“There’s no question we were testing today,” said Anderson.  “We were fairly confident we wouldn’t get bumped down, so we tried to see what we could learn about our Summit Racing Camaro.  After all, the start of the Countdown is not that far off, and we need to find a way to make these race cars fast and consistent, so we’re going to keep digging until we get it right.

Event:  31st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Location: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.

Day/Date: Friday, August 17, 2012

After spending the early part of the week visiting family and friends in the Duluth area, Summit Racing Pro Stock Camaro driver Greg Anderson took to the track on Friday, opening his qualifying effort for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.  In many ways, it was a productive day, as the four-time champion recorded a 6.593-second, 209.23 mph on his first attempt before improving to a 6.582-second time with a 210.54 mph top speed in the second session, placing him fifth midway through the qualifying procedure.   

“We didn’t make bad runs today, we just didn’t get the speed we were looking for,” said Anderson.  “We are in test mode trying to get these Summit Racing Camaros figured out, and will be until we do so.  We’re trying to do as much as we can at national events, but with only two runs a day, it’s a very slow learning curve, and you can only get so crazy because you still need to qualify for the event as well as trying to find a way to win the race.

Norwalk, Ohio, August 17, 2012 – Officials from Summit Racing Equipment today announced that for the third consecutive year they would be sponsoring a trip to visit American troops stationed overseas.  However, after using Ramstein Air Base in Germany as their base of operations for the past two years, this year’s tour will branch out to include other countries, with stops in the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Kosovo. The 2012 tour runs from November 24 – December 1 and is being arranged through Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE),

Joining this year’s line-up of drivers will be Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec, who ride Pro Stock Motorcycles for the famed Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Racing team in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Hines and Krawiec will join fellow champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, and Dan Runte, driver of the legendary BIGFOOT monster truck, during the week-long trip.

“We’re excited to be going back to visit the troops,” said Jim Greenleaf, Motorsports and Events Manager for Summit Racing Equipment.  “After two great years in Germany, we decided to change things up a bit, working with the people at Armed Forces Entertainment to devise a schedule that includes bases that might not see as many visitors.  We also moved the date of the trip back a week so we would not interfere with the Thanksgiving holiday, trying to maximize the number of soldiers we will get to see, hoping to bring them a little piece of home.

“We’re also thrilled to have Andrew and Eddie joining us on this year’s trip and want to thank Harley-Davidson and the Vance & Hines/Screamin’ Eagle team for making their participation possible.  Every racer on this year’s tour is a multi-time champion, and they represent a great cross-section of the very best in American motorsports.

“Even though we won’t leave until after the racing season is over, preparations are well underway. We’re calling this year’s tour “Operation Appreciation,” because that is our primary objective – to show our appreciation to the brave young men and women whose sacrifice allows us to enjoy our lives of freedom.  It is shaping up to be a great trip.”

Two-time Pro Stock champion Jason Line is the veteran of the group in all senses of the word, having served in the U.S. Air Force  making the trip for the last three years. Even so, he is excited by the prospects of this year’s trip, especially as it will include stops at new bases, like RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, England, home to the 422nd Air Base Group.

“This trip is a really big deal, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” said Line.  “It’s important to give back to those who do so much for us and it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to do so. Without their sacrifice, we would not be able to do what we like to do.

“After going to Germany for the last few years, it’s going to be interesting to go to the different bases.  I’m not sure how much they are into drag racing in those countries, but it will be a lot of fun to spend some time with the troops and bring them a little taste of home.  I’m also looking forward to having the Harley guys join us this year – it’s going to be a fun trip.”

This year’s tour will be Line teammate Greg Anderson’s second, and following his experience of a year ago, he is more than ready for a return trip.

“Last year’s trip was a great thing to be a part of, and I kick myself for not begging to be on an earlier trip,” said Anderson.  “The cool thing is that I get to go back this year and experience it all again, and the fact that we’re going to different places makes it even better. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I could go on and on about the benefits of making this tour and what it seems to do for the troops, but it does just as much for us in that we can feel we helped out in some crazy way, which is a great feeling.  We can never repay all these guys and girls enough for what they do for us, and we wish we could do more, but making this trip at least it feels like we try to do something, which is a cool deal.  I am definitely signed up to go back for as long as they’ll let me go, and my only regret is that I didn’t ask for the chance to do it earlier.”

The Summit Racing-sponsored trips have included at least one tour rookie, and this  year the KB Racing teammates will be joined by their two-wheeled equivalents from the legendary Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Racing team..  For three-time champion Andrew Hines, the trip will be an opportunity to show his thanks.

“This trip will be a great way to give back to the military,” said Hines.  “We appreciate everything they do for us to give us the freedom to come out and do what we love to do.  To be able to go over there and talk with all the guys and gals one-on-one and let them tell us what they do will be something very special.

“I was in Junior ROTC throughout high school, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for everything they have done for us over the years.  I grew up learning about all the history my dad had in the military being in the Army back during the Vietnam War and it’s going to be very interesting to see some of the work the troops are doing now, and to give something back to them.

“Hopefully they will really enjoy seeing Harley-Davidson riders.  Harley-Davidson is an American icon, and I believe we have a tremendous following overseas, so we’re going to try to give the troops some great times to remember and put smiles on some very deserving faces.  This is something that is very special to be a part of, and something I’ll remember for a lifetime.”

Completing the roster of NHRA champions will be two-time and defending Pro Stock Motorcycle titlist Eddie Krawiec.  Much like his teammate, Krawiec appreciates the chance to give something back by bringing a small piece of home to the troops, representing a brand that is synonymous with the United States.

“This trip is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Krawiec.  “I think it will be a life-changing experience, getting to see everything the troops do to preserve our freedom and allow us to do what we want to do.  For us to be able to pay them back in some small way is a lifetime opportunity and something not many people are even asked to do, so I’m glad to be a part of this tour.

“I can’t wait to do something for the troops.  I know they get a lot of enjoyment from watching our Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Racing team, and in some of their eyes, we’re the heroes. But in reality, they are the ones to be looked up to, and this trip will be our chance to tell them that and thank them for their sacrifice.”

Mooresville, N.C., August 16, 2012 – Although the record books will show that Summit Racing Camaro driver Greg Anderson has more wins at other tracks than he has at Brainerd International Raceway, site of this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, it is hard to argue with his record of success in the North Star State.  After all, as a Duluth native, BIR is where the four-time champion cut his drag racing teeth, starting out as a spectator and crewman for his father, and evolving from a crew chief for fellow Minnesota legends John Hagan and Warren Johnson into a winning driver of his own, with three home state national event wins to his credit.

As he prepared to hopefully repeat his winning performance at this event from a year ago, Anderson credited his many successes to his years of experience on the venerable quarter-mile, which he believes gives him an added feel for the surface, and what it takes to master it.

“From standing on the starting line first a crew guy and then as a crew chief to then climbing behind the wheel as a driver, I have a lot of laps under my belt at Brainerd International Raceway, more, in fact than at any other one we race on,” said Anderson. “As a result, we know it well, and the more comfortable you are with a particular track, the better you seem to perform.  The Summit Racing Camaro crew is going back there this year hoping to duplicate our winning performance from a year ago.

“I’ll admit that we’re happy to be off the West Coast and racing somewhat closer to home.  We’ll be rolling into Brainerd looking for a big weekend and trying to gain some ground on (current points leader) Allen Johnson.  He’s had his way the last few races, and it’s time for us to make him realize he has some competition.  It’s up to us to get these Camaros up to speed and back in the game, which we hope will happen this weekend.”

Ironically, at the other end of the spectrum is the experience Anderson has with his race car.  The Brainerd race will mark the KB Racing team’s eighth with the legendary Chevrolet muscle, and although they have already been able to score one win in three final round appearances, they are still very early in the learning process.  As such, its true potential has yet to be reached, although every pass down the racetrack provides them with valuable information, getting them closer to having a solid handle on their ride’s performance envelope.

“This team could certainly use a win but even more than that, we need to find some extra performance in order to consistently contend for race wins every time we go out the door,” said Anderson.  “That’s not normal for us.  We know we need to get our cars ironed out, and with the Countdown rapidly approaching, it’s time to get in gear and start operating at full song.  We’ve been racing tough and finding ways to go rounds, grinding our way around a race track, but we need to do something spectacular, setting low elapsed times and keeping lane choice, doing all the things we need to score points and win races.  That’s what we’re looking to get back to.

Mooresville, N.C., August 16, 2012 – Coming off a successful stint on the Bonneville Salt Flats that saw him set a new land speed record for his class, Summit Racing driver Jason Line will return to his chosen form of motorsports competition this weekend, resuming the defense of his NHRA Pro Stock championship at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.

As a native Minnesotan, this race has always held a special place for Line, who has often expressed he would rather win this event than any other on the Full Throttle Drag Racing Circuit.  This year, however, he has decided to employ a different approach, viewing it as just another event.  Even so, his desire for winning his home state race has certainly not diminished.

“Last weekend in Bonneville was tremendous, and I really want to thank everyone who made it possible,” said Line.  “However, it’s now time to get back to work.  There are only two races before the start of the Countdown championship playoff, and we need to get our Summit Racing Camaros completely dialed in.

“In the past, this was the one race I had to win.  Although I’ve come close with a couple runner-up finishes, the Wally has so far eluded me, so this year, I’m treating Brainerd like any of the other races.  Naturally, I still want to win it, just as I do every race, but in the big picture we have other work to do, and that is what I am going to concentrate on.”

The work Line refers to is the team’s continued familiarization with their race cars.  Even coming off a runner-up finish in Seattle two weeks ago, both he and his KB Racing crew know they will need to have a handle on their ride’s performance requirements when the championship playoff starts next month in Charlotte, N.C.

“We view these last two races as extended test sessions leading into the Countdown,” said Line.  “Looking at the standings, I believe both Greg and I are fairly secure where we are, barring any unforeseen circumstance, of course.  Although one of our goals will always remain winning every race we enter, we also realize the importance of getting these Summit Racing Camaros completely dialed in for the playoffs, so we are going to take advantage of every opportunity we get to test and learn more about them, including during qualifying this weekend.”

Finally, despite his claims of seeing this race like the other 22 on the schedule, when pressed the two-time champion admits that the North Star state event remains among his favorites, especially in light of the fact that virtually his entire family will be competing as well.  New attitude or not, a win on Sunday would be most special.

Mooresville, N.C., August 14, 2012 – Jason Line and the Jesel Land Speed/Summit Racing Team had two specific goals heading into the 2012 Speed Week at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats.  The first was to break the current A/Modified Production record of 191 mph, while the second was to get Line into the prestigious 200-mph Club.

With an average speed of 235 mph recorded on his second official attempt on the five-mile course on Monday morning, the reigning NHRA Pro Stock champion was able to accomplish both objectives, with his two-run average of 225.246 mph shattering the previous mark while also allowing him to join the very select group of racers who have eclipsed the double-century mark on the famed salt.

“It’s not very often that you make a plan in racing and actually have it go accordingly, but we did this past weekend in Bonneville,” said Line. “It’s nice that it did, and made for a very cool experience.

“It was like nothing I had ever done before.  I was able to meet a lot of neat people, and enjoyed the heck out of my time there.  The truck drove like a Cadillac, perfectly smooth through the entire distance, never putting a foot wrong, making it a pleasure to run down the salt, which helped us accomplish our goals.

“Of course, there are a lot of people I have to thank for making this all possible, starting with Wayne Jesel and his Jesel Land Speed Team, as well as everyone from Summit Racing Equipment.  I owe them all a debt of gratitude for letting me do this.”

After completing his first licensing pass on Saturday, Line returned to the salt on Sunday for his second run, recording an average speed of 214 mph after being instructed by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) officials not to exceed 215 on this final licensing attempt.  As this eclipsed the previous class mark, under the rules of the event the truck was then impounded, setting the stage for Monday’s monster run.  Although everything went mostly according to plan throughout the entire weekend, Line did experience a slight hiccup during his maiden pass.

“On my first licensing run I wasn’t supposed to go over 175 mph,” explained Line.  “Unfortunately, the combination of our calculations being a bit off and my being a couple hundred rpms over what I was supposed to run resulted in my being 20 mph too fast, for which I justifiably got my hand slapped by the SCTA.  After all, they just want everyone to be safe, which I certainly appreciate.  My intent was certainly not to violate any rules, especially being my first time there, and I consider it a lesson learned.

“Looking back at the experience, my goals going into the weekend were to not do anything stupid, to have fun, to get in the 200-mph Club and help Wayne set a record with his truck, and we were able to accomplish all of them without any damage to the equipment and without any incidents other than my speeding ticket.  On top of that, some of my KB Racing teammates came out to watch me run, so it just turned out to be a good time.