50th Win for Jason Line at the NHRA Carolina Nationals

Jason Line celebrated Summit Racing’s 50th anniversary by earning his 50th national event win at the NHRA Carolina Nationals.

“I want to thank everyone at Summit Racing for sticking with me,” said Line. “This 50th Wally goes to them, for sure. Without them, I don’t think any of this could have happened. I want to thank our team owners Ken and Judy Black, as well as Mello Yello, Chevrolet Performance, and my family left. Everybody stuck with me, and that means so much.”

In Round One of eliminations, Line was victorious against KB Racing teammate Bo Butner with a 6.503 second/211.96 MPH pass to Butner’s 6.526/211.76.

In Round Two, Line faced Jeg Coughlin Jr. Although both drivers had identical .020 second reaction times, Line defeated Coughlin, 6.510/212.16 to 6.527/211.89.

In the semifinals, Line took the win against Number One qualifier Drew Skillman with a 6.527/211.86 pass to Skillman’s 6.547/211.10.

With lane choice in the final round, Line scored his first win of the season against Tanner Gray. Line’s .020 RT, 6.531/211.89 pass defeated Gray’s .044 RT, 6.534/211.43.

“It’s been a struggle this year, but that means when you do finally win, you appreciate it so much more,” said Line. “This win was the 300th Pro Stock win for Chevrolet. I can’t thank the folks at Chevrolet enough for all that they do for us. Our team did a great job on my racecar today. I can’t wait for Vegas.”

Line is currently seventh in the Pro Stock Points standings.

Greg Anderson had his weekend cut short in Round One of eliminations against Vincent Nobile. Anderson experienced severe tire shake and Nobile took the win with a 6.522/211.30 pass.

Anderson is sixth in Pro Stock points. 

Tim Wilkerson, driver of the Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car reached the semifinals and remains in championship contention.

As the Number Three qualifier, Wilkerson had lane choice in Round One of eliminations against Jim Campbell. Wilkerson took the win with a 3.915/308.28 over Campbell’s tire-smoking 7.556/86.70 pass.

In Round Two against Matt Hagan, Wilk won on the holeshot with a 3.910/328.46 pass to Hagan’s 3.903/323.58.

“That’s pure luck to holeshot Matt Hagan,” Wilkerson said. “He’s the king of leaving [the starting line].”

In the semifinals against Ron Capps, Wilkerson was quicker off the line, but it wasn’t enough with Capps taking the win 3.903/320.97 to 3.978/323.97.
 
“We had a pretty good day,” said Wilkerson. “We’re going to go on to Vegas and just focus on winning.”

Wilkerson is fourth in the Funny Car points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Steve Torrence (3.703/329.67) defeated Brittany Force (3.708/329.26)

Funny Car— Ron Capps (3.890/331.20) defeated J.R. Todd (4.311/214.96)

Pro Stock—Jason Line (6.531/211.89) defeated Tanner Gray (6.534/211.43)

Pro Stock Motorcycle— Matt Smith (6.830/196.64) defeated Chip Ellis (Foul-Red Light)

Pro Stock Low ET—Erica Enders, 6.482 seconds
Pro Stock Top Speed—Jeg Coughlin, 212.76 MPH

What’s Next
The next race of the NHRA’s 2018 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship is the NHRA Toyota Nationals The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 25-28.

For more information and complete race results visit DragRaceCentral.com