Mooresville, N.C., March 9, 2011 – Summit Racing Pro Stock driver Jason Line arrives at this weekend’s Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals as the leader in the Full Throttle championship standings based on his dramatic win at the season-opening race in Pomona two weeks ago. However, even though his name is the one listed, Line wants it made clear that it was a total team effort that secured his 22nd national event victory, and that it will be this same network that he will rely on to score his third consecutive win at Gainesville Raceway.
“Although it was far from the ideal scenario, our win in Pomona showed the strength and dedication of this Summit Racing team,” said Line. “In qualifying we had to deal with crazy weather, which limited us to only two qualifying attempts, and we never made what we would consider a good run, ending up eleventh. But thanks to some hard work by Rob Downing, Tommy Utt, Jeff Perley and the entire KB Racing crew, we had a fast hot rod on race day, and ended the day in the winner’s circle, which was a real confidence builder.
“As good as that was, we have to quickly put it behind us, because we’re facing an entirely new challenge this weekend in Gainesville. The weather should not be a problem, and the track at Gainesville Raceway has historically been very good. A lot of people who either didn’t race in Pomona or had a bad day there will be looking to make a fresh start at the Gators, so we will have to be on top of our game if we want to be in contention come Sunday. The good news is that we know we are up to the challenge.”
There are several factors working in Line’s favor at this weekend’s race. His back, which was a source of some concern in Pomona, has had extra time to heal, so he should be more comfortable inside his race car. In addition, the world’s best quarter-milers are heading to one of his favorite tracks, Gainesville Raceway, where he is the two-time defending Gatornationals winner, and only one of five professional drivers with three or more victories in the Sunshine State classic. However, despite his previous record of success, the Troutman, NC resident knows that his bid for three consecutive wins at this marquee event will face a severe test from another tightly packed Pro Stock field, which this year includes a high-profile intruder.
“The Gatornationals are a race that everyone wants to win because of the history and tradition,” said Line. “It’s a fun race, the first drag race of the year on the East Coast so everyone is just happy to get away from the cold weather and out to the racetrack. It’s also been a good event for the Summit Racing team, with both Greg (teammate Anderson) and I fortunate enough to score multiple wins there.
“However, past wins will mean nothing this weekend. Not only will we have the usual cast of characters trying to knock us off, but we’re also going to welcome Kurt Busch, who is going to step out of his NASCAR ride and give Pro Stock a try. It promises to be another tough field with a lot of fast cars each of which is capable of winning, but the bottom line is that it’s still a matter of trying to make the best run you can, which in this case includes crossing the finish line first. Fortunately, between my race team and my family, who will be in Florida with me, I have one the best support systems in place, and together we’re going to do whatever we can to make sure we end up in the same place we have the last two years in Gainesville – the winner’s circle.”
Jason Line & the Summit Racing Pontiac crew
By the Numbers – Gainesville Raceway edition:
3 - Wins scored by Line at Gainesville Raceway heading into this weekend, including the last two years in a row.
4 – Final round appearances by Line in his previous seven Gainesville starts
5 – Overall wins by KB Racing at Gainesville Raceway in the last seven years (Anderson 2, Line 3)
7 – Top half starts by Jason in his previous seven Gatornationals starts, with a best starting position of #2 in 2006
9 – Final round appearances by Line following a win, with the most recent being one year ago at the spring Charlotte race.
15 – Elimination round wins scored by Jason in his previous seven Gatornationals starts versus 4 losses for a 78.9 round win percentage.
Did you know? Gainesville Raceway is one of two tracks on the 2011 Full Throttle Drag Racing circuit where Jason has more wins that his teammate Greg Anderson. (The other is Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL)
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 11: Two qualifying sessions at 12 noon & 2:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 12: Two qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13: Final eliminations starting at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage (all coverage on ESPN2):
Qualifying: Sunday, March 13 – 12:00 midnight - 1:30 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 13 – 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
(All times Eastern)
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia. For more information, please visit Summit Racing ? High Performance Car and Truck Parts l Edelbrock, ACCEL, Moroso, K&N, MSD, Holley & More!.
“Although it was far from the ideal scenario, our win in Pomona showed the strength and dedication of this Summit Racing team,” said Line. “In qualifying we had to deal with crazy weather, which limited us to only two qualifying attempts, and we never made what we would consider a good run, ending up eleventh. But thanks to some hard work by Rob Downing, Tommy Utt, Jeff Perley and the entire KB Racing crew, we had a fast hot rod on race day, and ended the day in the winner’s circle, which was a real confidence builder.
“As good as that was, we have to quickly put it behind us, because we’re facing an entirely new challenge this weekend in Gainesville. The weather should not be a problem, and the track at Gainesville Raceway has historically been very good. A lot of people who either didn’t race in Pomona or had a bad day there will be looking to make a fresh start at the Gators, so we will have to be on top of our game if we want to be in contention come Sunday. The good news is that we know we are up to the challenge.”
There are several factors working in Line’s favor at this weekend’s race. His back, which was a source of some concern in Pomona, has had extra time to heal, so he should be more comfortable inside his race car. In addition, the world’s best quarter-milers are heading to one of his favorite tracks, Gainesville Raceway, where he is the two-time defending Gatornationals winner, and only one of five professional drivers with three or more victories in the Sunshine State classic. However, despite his previous record of success, the Troutman, NC resident knows that his bid for three consecutive wins at this marquee event will face a severe test from another tightly packed Pro Stock field, which this year includes a high-profile intruder.
“The Gatornationals are a race that everyone wants to win because of the history and tradition,” said Line. “It’s a fun race, the first drag race of the year on the East Coast so everyone is just happy to get away from the cold weather and out to the racetrack. It’s also been a good event for the Summit Racing team, with both Greg (teammate Anderson) and I fortunate enough to score multiple wins there.
“However, past wins will mean nothing this weekend. Not only will we have the usual cast of characters trying to knock us off, but we’re also going to welcome Kurt Busch, who is going to step out of his NASCAR ride and give Pro Stock a try. It promises to be another tough field with a lot of fast cars each of which is capable of winning, but the bottom line is that it’s still a matter of trying to make the best run you can, which in this case includes crossing the finish line first. Fortunately, between my race team and my family, who will be in Florida with me, I have one the best support systems in place, and together we’re going to do whatever we can to make sure we end up in the same place we have the last two years in Gainesville – the winner’s circle.”
Jason Line & the Summit Racing Pontiac crew
By the Numbers – Gainesville Raceway edition:
3 - Wins scored by Line at Gainesville Raceway heading into this weekend, including the last two years in a row.
4 – Final round appearances by Line in his previous seven Gainesville starts
5 – Overall wins by KB Racing at Gainesville Raceway in the last seven years (Anderson 2, Line 3)
7 – Top half starts by Jason in his previous seven Gatornationals starts, with a best starting position of #2 in 2006
9 – Final round appearances by Line following a win, with the most recent being one year ago at the spring Charlotte race.
15 – Elimination round wins scored by Jason in his previous seven Gatornationals starts versus 4 losses for a 78.9 round win percentage.
Did you know? Gainesville Raceway is one of two tracks on the 2011 Full Throttle Drag Racing circuit where Jason has more wins that his teammate Greg Anderson. (The other is Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL)
Event Schedule:
Friday, March 11: Two qualifying sessions at 12 noon & 2:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 12: Two qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13: Final eliminations starting at 11:00 a.m.
Television Coverage (all coverage on ESPN2):
Qualifying: Sunday, March 13 – 12:00 midnight - 1:30 a.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, March 13 – 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
(All times Eastern)
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia. For more information, please visit Summit Racing ? High Performance Car and Truck Parts l Edelbrock, ACCEL, Moroso, K&N, MSD, Holley & More!.
