Anderson and Line Make Major Progress in Brainerd

Racing in front of friends and family, Minnesotans Greg Anderson and Jason Line turned in improved performances at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Anderson kicked off the weekend with several strong passes during qualifying. He qualified second with a 6.588 second, 209.13 MPH run, his best qualifying position since the 2012 NHRA Kansas Nationals in Topeka, Kansas. Anderson had an easy time in Round One of eliminations as opponent Deric Kramer jumped the gun with a -.096 second foul start. Anderson’s 6.604/209.33 pass was the second quickest and fastest of the round.

Anderson met up with KB Racing teammate Jason Line in Round Two. Anderson grabbed a .025 second starting line advantage and kept it all the way down the track, taking the win with a 6.608/208.14 to Line’s 6.623, 208.52. In the semifinals, Anderson tripped the timers with a 6.604/209.46, but opponent V. Gaines’ huge .043 second starting line advantage gave him the win at the top end by just .01 second.

“It was a hugely positive weekend,” said Anderson. “We had a car that could win here today, and I should have won this race. I’m excited, and I’m very happy with the tremendous progress the Summit Racing team has made in the past week. I’m very proud of these guys. They didn’t give up, they kept digging, kept fighting, and it looks like we’ve finally turned a corner.”

“I think we had the best car on the grounds, and I think we caught the attention of a lot of people,” Anderson continued. “What we learned this weekend was a season-changer. We will progress from there and be a serious threat in the Countdown (to the Championship).”

Anderson is currently seventh in the Pro Stock points standings.

Line Pleased with Performance
Jason Line qualified seventh with a 6.603/209.62. While he took the win in Round One of eliminations when opponent Shane Gray fouled out by .005 second, Line’s 6.621/209.56 pass had Gray’s 6.654/208.07 covered. Despite a second round loss to teammate Greg Anderson, Jason Line walked away from the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals with renewed confidence.

“It was a very good weekend for the Summit Racing team, and I couldn’t be much happier without winning the race,” said Line. “We will be tougher from here on out, there is no question about that. Looking at the positives that came from this weekend, we’re very excited.”

“We’re going to test this week at zMAX Raceway, and see what the Summit Racing team can do to build on what we did here this weekend,” Line continued. “We’re in a great position right now, but we will be looking for more before the Countdown starts.”

Line is currently sixth in the Pro Stock points standings.

Line Family Friend Wins Stock Eliminator in Brainerd
Line was extremely pleased with the success of friend and longtime sportsman racer, Bill Feist. The 64 year-old Fiest won his first national event in Stock Eliminator. He drives a 1969 Mustang with power supplied by the Line family's Line Performance race shop and parts from Summit Racing Equipment.

“Oh man, that made my whole day,” said Line. “Somebody asked me this morning what I thought was going to happen today, and I said, ‘I sure hope Bill Feist can win.’ He’s just a great guy, and he’s been racing a long time. I’m super excited for him.”

Team Summit Results: Pro Stock
Larry Morgan qualified 11th (6.627/207.91). He defeated Erica Enders-Stevens in Round One of eliminations, but lost to V. Gaines in Round Two. Morgan is currently 11th in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified fifth (4.056/312.64). He had a bye run in Round One (Jeff Arend did not race) and defeated Robert Hight in Round Two, but lost to Ron Capps in the semis. Tim is currently eighth in the points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel—Spencer Massey defeated Clay Millican, 3.811/322.11 to 3.856/320.66.
Funny Car—Ron Capps defeated Matt Hagan, 4.063/312.28 to 4.095/312.78.
Pro Stock—Mike Edwards defeated V. Gaines, 6.629/208.68 to 6.665/208.84.

Next Race
The next event is the Chevrolet Performance US Nationals, August 30-September 2 in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more news and in-depth results from the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, go to http://www.DragRaceCentral.com.