Line Bringing the Heat to Phoenix

Summit Racing's Jason Line started 2015 with a win at the season-opening NHRA Winternationals, and will arrive in Phoenix with one hot race car for the 31st annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals—and a deep desire to stay on top.

"After Pomona, we went back to the KB Racing shop and got right back to work on engine stuff," said Line, who is also the chief dyno operator at the team's headquarters. "We're dealing with new fuel and new tires this season, and I'm still not 100% convinced we had a good handle on it leaving Pomona, The products are good—we just need to work on getting the perfect tuneup for it. We have a couple of new things we're working on, as usual, so it's been a busy time for us. But I'll tell you, winning that first trophy of the year sure did make the week between these races a little more enjoyable."

Line was the Number 3 qualifier last year in Phoenix, reaching the second round of eliminations. He has made the final round three times previously and won the event in 2012 in an all-Summit Racing final with teammate Greg Anderson.

Line and his teammates joined a group of Pro Stock competitors at the Phoenix facility before Pomona to shake off the dust and get a good grip on their race cars. The fact that they tested at the facility where this weekend's race is to take place will hopefully bode well for them.

"We had a pretty good test session there the first week of February," said Line. "I don't know for sure that it will give us any kind of advantage over our fellow competitors, but I'm glad we went there, and I'm excited to go back. It was an exciting day for Team Summit on Sunday at the Winternationals, and hopefully we'll be able to do it again in Phoenix."

Jason Line By the Numbers, CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals Edition
1: Number 1 qualifying performance (2007).
1: Win in three final round appearances heading into this weekend (2012).
5: Semifinal or better finishes in eleven previous starts.
17: Elimination round wins scored by Line in his previous eleven starts there, versus 10 losses.

Event Schedule
Friday, February 20: Two qualifying sessions at 1:30 and 4 PM
Saturday, February 21: Two qualifying sessions at 1:30 and 4 PM
Sunday, February 22: Final eliminations starting at 11:00 AM

Television Coverage on ESPN2
Qualifying: Sunday, February 22, 6- 8PM ET/3- 5 PM PT
Eliminations: Sunday, February 22, 8- 11PM ET/5- 8PM PT