Line Posts Runner-Up Finish in All-Summit Englishtown Final

After earning his fifth No. 1 qualifying position of the season, Summit Racing driver Jason Line entered Sunday’s final eliminations of the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. looking to translate his Saturday success into his second win of the season.  Facing Grace Howell in the opening stanza, he showed his intentions by posting the quickest elapsed time of round at 6.527-seconds to gain the victory.

Line duplicated that feat in the second round using a 6.561-second, 211.39 mph pass to defeat Rodger Brogdon and advance to the semifinals, where he would face Erica Enders.  Once again, he proved to be the class of the field, combining a lightning-quick .010 reaction time and a 6.540-second, 211.66 mph pass to eliminate Enders, who posted a 6.569-second time and 211.23 mph speed, and reach his third final round of the season, where he would face teammate Greg Anderson, who was in his first race in his new Chevrolet Camaro.

However, there was more at stake than the national event win, as this victory would be the 100^th in the KB Racing team’s history, an accomplishment both drivers desperately wanted on their racing resume.  Leaving the line in tandem, the two raced neck-and-neck for much of the quarter mile, with Line looking to have a slight advantage.  However, just as it seemed he would capture his fourth win at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Line’s mount was slowed by a rare malfunction with the resulting 6.588-second, 200.98 mph run allowing his stable mate, who carded a 6.560-second, 212.03 mph pass, to gain the victory.

Naturally disappointed with the results, Line took some consolation in the team victory while also looking forward to the debut of his own Camaro at the next race in Bristol, TN.

“Although I am certainly pleased that we were able to get KB Racing’s 100^th win with Ken and Judy (team owners Black) here in attendance, the racer in me is not happy,” said Line.  “We knew going into the final that we were going to get it, and I really wanted to be the one that did it.

"My Summit Racing Pontiac had performed beautifully all weekend, and I thought I was going to send it out a winner.  Unfortunately, just before the finish line, we had a problem with the motor and Greg was able get around me.  So even though I am personally disappointed, it was good day for the team.  I’m happy for everyone on the crew and glad we could get the Camaro a win in its first race back.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my own Summit Racing Camaro out at the next race.  We’ll spend the next few days getting it finished and tested before heading up to Bristol and seeing if we can give my Chevrolet an equally successful debut there.”