Line Once More Bringing the Heat to Phoenix

Jason Line

Summit Racing's Jason Line started the 2015 season of NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series on a serious high note. That's nothing new, however, for the now 36-time NHRA Pro stock winner. Just last year, the two-time Pro Stock world champ kicked off the season with a win at the NHRA Winternationals, and this year he went ahead and replicated the fine feat with a decisive victory to leave Pomona with the points lead. Line will arrive in Phoenix for the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals with one hot race car and a deep desire to stay on top.

"After Pomona, we went back to the KB Racing shop in Mooresville and got right back to work on engine stuff," said Line, the driver of the brilliant blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro and chief dyno operator at the team's headquarters in North Carolina. "We're dealing with new fuel and new tires this season, and I'm still not 100% convinced we had a good handle on it leaving Pomona, but the products are good – we just need to work on getting the perfect tune-up for it. We have a couple of new things we're working on, as usual, so it's been a busy time for us. But I'll tell you, winning that first trophy of the year sure did make the week between these races a little more enjoyable."

Line was the No. 3 qualifier last year at the Phoenix event, and he got the win light in the first round over Steve Kent before narrowly missing it in round two and seeing Allen Johnson drive to victory. Three times before, Line has raced to the final round at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and has one trophy to show for it, earned with a 2012 victory over Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson. Line's Phoenix successes also include a low qualifier award earned in 2007.

Prior to the first race of the 2015 season, Line and his teammates joined a group of Pro Stock competitors at the Phoenix facility to shake off the dust and get a good grip on their racecars, and their jump start has already proven effective with the Pomona win. The fact that they tested at the facility where this weekend's race is to take place will, they hope, also bode well for them at the national event.

"We had a pretty good test session there the first week of February," said Line. "I don't know for sure that it will give us any kind of advantage over our fellow competitors, but I'm glad we went there before Pomona, and I'm excited to go back. Especially now. It was an exciting day for Team Summit on Sunday at the Winternationals, and hopefully we'll be able to do it again. The sooner the better."