Line and Wilkerson Win at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals

Two Summit Racing Equipment drivers raised a coveted NHRA Wally at the 2016 CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Phoenix this weekend: Jason Line in Pro Stock and Tim Wilkerson in Nitro Funny Car.

“It was a fun day and a great way to start the year,” said Line. “Our team is off to a much better start this year. I think everybody refocused and we’re on a mission.”

Line’s victory put a Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro in the winner’s circle for the second race in a row. Teammate Greg Anderson won the season-opening Winternationals in an all-Summit Racing final round.

Line qualified second with a 6.622 second, 208.17 MPH pass. He defeated Matt Hartford, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and teammate Greg Anderson in the first three rounds of eliminations to meet up with Chris McGaha in the finals. It was a close race, with Line crossing the finish line first to take the win, 6.666/205 to McGaha’s 6.671/208.75. Watch a video of Line’s win here.

“We’re striving to be better; that’s what racing is all about,” said Line. “That’s our goal and so far we’re off to a good start. These other guys are going to work hard and there’s no doubt they’re going to catch up. We have to keep digging and we have a nice start.”

Line leaves Phoenix first in the Pro Stock points standings.

Anderson Happy Despite Semifinals Exit
Greg Anderson qualified third in Phoenix with a 6.623/207.40 pass. Anderson defeated Vincent Nobile and Drew Skillman in the first two rounds of eliminations to make it to the semifinals where he faced his KB Racing teammate, Jason Line. Anderson encountered severe shake on the starting line and shut the Summit Racing Camaro down. Line took the win with a 6.650/207.53.

“I had a great run going but we misjudged the race track there in the semifinal,” said Anderson. “The track changes tremendously and we missed it. It happens. That’s drag racing.”

“The good news is a Summit Racing car was going to win that round and go to the final,” Anderson continued. “I’m happy. Jason is happy. KB and Summit Racing are happy. It has been two great races to start the 2016 season. I can hardly wait to get to the next one.”

Anderson is currently second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Wilkerson Earns 19th Career Victory in Phoenix
Tim Wilkerson earned his 19th career victory and his first ever at Phoenix this weekend. It was his first national event victory since the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals in May of 2015. It was also the earliest season win Wilkerson has ever had.

“For my crew this was a spectacular day,” said Wilkerson. “I’m really fortunate to be here and we have a great car. If you told me a 3.99 (second ET) would get me into the finals I wouldn’t have believed you. The track was trickier today than it was on Saturday and I think that really helped us get through these rounds.”

Wilkerson qualified seventh with a 3.966/317.19 pass. He defeated Chad Head in Round One of eliminations, then took out Number One qualifier Ron Capps in a nail-biting pedal-fest, with both drivers hazing the tires and battling to see who would recover first.

Wilkerson went on to defeat Robert Hight in the semifinals to meet up with longtime rival John Force in the finals. Force got the jump with a .048 second reaction time, but Wilkerson pulled up on him as Force’s Camaro slowed after the 660 foot lights. Wilkerson took the win by a car length with a 3.937/320.43 to Force’s 4.016/275.34. It was Wilkerson’s best elapsed time of the weekend.

Wilkerson also revealed he is retiring his current Mustang and will debut a new car at the Gatornationals in March. He is currently fifth in the Funny Car points standings.

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified Number One (3.741/326.00), his 44th career Number One qualifier and fourth at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Kalitta had a bye run in Round One of eliminations and defeated Dave Connolly in Round Two, but lost to Brittany Force in the semi-finals. He is currently first in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified seventh (3.787/318.17) but lost to Leah Pritchett in Round One. He is currently eighth in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Del Worsham qualified fifth (3.959/319.60). He defeated Jim Campbell in Round One, but lost to Robert Hight in Round Two. Worsham is currently fourth in the point standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified eleventh (4.026/310.27) but lost to Jack Beckman in Round One. DeJoria is currently eighth in the points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Leah Pritchett defeated Brittany Force, 3.775/323.12 to 3.774/321.35.
Funny Car: Tim Wilkerson defeated John Force, 3.937/320.43 to 4.016/275.34.
Pro Stock: Jason Line defeated Chris McGaha, 6.666/205.16 to 6.671/208.75.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Leah Pritchett defeated Brittany Force, 3.775/323.12 to 3.774/321.35.
Funny Car: Tim Wilkerson defeated John Force, 3.937/320.43 to 4.016/275.34.
Pro Stock: Jason Line defeated Chris McGaha, 6.666/205.16 to 6.671/208.75.

Next Race
The next race in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, March 18-20. Visit Drag Race Central for more news and results from the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.