Line, Alund Have Solid Outings in Phoenix

Jason Line and Jimmy Alund posted solid outings at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona. Their performances kept Line near the top of the points standings and Alund improving on his Winternationals premiere.

Line qualified third with a 6.536 second, 211.69 MPH pass. The two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion knocked out Steve Kent in Round One of eliminations, 6.569/211.56 to 6.634/209.98. In the second round matchup with Allen Johnson, Line got off the line first with .026 second reaction time. His 6.556-second blast at 210.93 mph was the second quickest of the round, but Johnson was quicker still with a 6.543/212.16. Johnson’s margin of victory was a slim .008 of a second.

“My Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro was consistent this weekend, but that last round I made a change and it took us in the wrong direction,” Line said. “I got a little greedy with the engine tuneup, and obviously that backfired. The car slowed down from the previous runs. My guys did a good job this weekend, but the engine tuner—me—fell short. I think I learned my lesson, and we’ll try again in Gainesville.”

Line is currently second in the Pro Stock points standings, just 11 points away from the Number One spot.

Alund Rights a Wrong in Phoenix
Two weeks ago in Pomona, Jimmy Alund took full responsibility for a first-round redlight that ended his inaugural race day way too soon. After qualifying his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro 11th with a 6.591/210.87 pass, Alund gave Allen Johnson a run for his money in Round One of eliminations. The eight-time European Pro Stock champ had a .020 second advantage off the starting line and ran neck-and-neck with his opponent down the track but Johnson got there first, 6.558/211.76 to Alund’s 6.587/210.97.

“I wish I could have been a little bit better on the tree, but I’d rather leave first and lose by nine-thousandths at the finish line than lose on a red light like I did in Pomona,” said Alund. “I feel a lot better today than I did two weeks ago. The car is coming along and I’m getting more acquainted with the way they race over here. I’m learning where the tools are, getting my own routines now around this camp. It’s going to get better, that’s for sure.”

Alund is currently 13th in the Pro Stock points standings.

Alexis DeJoria Wins Her First Funny Car Title
Alexis DeJoria defeated Jeff Arend, Del Worsham, John Force, and Robert Hight to win Funny Car at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. DeJoria, in her third season with Kalitta Motorsports, is the fourth female to win an NHRA Funny Car race.

“When we won the finals, I couldn’t believe it,” said DeJoria. “Actually, I can because I know we can do it, but it’s such a shock at the same time. It’s surreal. It’s really amazing. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep.”

DeJoria, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), David Grubnic (Top Fuel), and Del Worsham (Funny Car) are now members of Team Summit thanks to Summit Racing’s associate sponsorship with Kalitta Motorsports.

DeJoria is currently third in the Funny Car points standings.

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified Number One (3.735/327.74). He defeated Scott Palmer and Khalid alBalooshi in the first two rounds of eliminations, but lost to Antron Brown in the semi-final round. Kalitta is currently first in the points standings.
David Grubnic qualified seventh (3.777/320.28), but lost to Brittany Force in Round One. He is tied with Richie Crampton for ninth place in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified seventh (4.066/308.35). He defeated Chad Head in Round One of eliminations, but lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in Round Two. Wilkerson is currently 10th in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified fifth (4.051/316.67). He defeated Courtney Force in Round One, but lost to Alexis DeJoria in Round Two. Worsham is currently fifth in the points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Antron Brown defeated Brittany Force, 3.755/324.20 to 3.793/322.04.
Funny Car: Alexis DeJoria defeated Robert Hight, 4.043/309.63 to 5.491/142.19.
Pro Stock: Allen Johnson defeated V. Gaines, 6.543/212.23 to 8.042/115.10.

Next Race
The next event is the NHRA Gatornationals, March 14-16 in Gainesville, Florida. Visit Drag Race Central for more news and in-depth results from the NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.