Line Reaches Final Round at Route 66 Nationals

Line Reaches Final Round at Route 66 Nationals
Two-time Pro Stock champion Jason Line wheeled his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro to the final round at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago. Line continues to gain momentum as the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series passes the midway point.

“The weather here was very hot and humid,” said Line. “We generally don’t shine in these conditions, but we did this time. We kept running better and better, and that’s very respectable on a day like this. My car was good all weekend, and I’m very happy to be able to say that. It makes it a lot more enjoyable going to the next race, that’s for sure.”

Line qualified fourth with a best time of 6.604 seconds at 208.78 miles per hour. He paired a .049 second starting line reaction time advantage with a 6.601/210.24 run to defeat Mark Martino in Round One of eliminations. Line recorded a 6.630/209.75 pass—the second quickest elapsed time and fastest speed of the round—to defeat Shane Gray’s 6.667/208.26. In the semi-finals against Dave Connolly, Line clicked off a .019 second reaction time and never looked back, taking the win with a 6.628/208.94 over Connolly’s 6.634/208.78.

That set up a final round match with Vincent Nobile, who runs KB Racing engines. Line clocked a .031 second reaction time, but Nobile cut a quicker .004 second reaction time. That advantage gave Nobile the holeshot win, 6.655/208.01 to Line’s quicker and faster 6.637/209.26.

“We just came up a little short against Vincent,” said Line. “But in the end, I feel like Summit Racing won today. It was a good day.”

Line is currently fourth in the Pro Stock points standings.

Anderson Moves Up in Points Despite Early Exit
Greg Anderson qualified eighth with a 6.612/208.91 pass. However, he cut an uncharacteristic -.007 second red light in his Round One matchup with Dave Connolly. The foul start was only the 20th in a career that began in 1998 and spans 344 races.

Despite the early conclusion to his day in Chicago, Anderson moved up to 11th place in the Pro Stock points standings.

“KB Racing got to the final round today here in Chicago, so that was a big plus,” said Anderson. “I could have done better if I hadn’t stepped over the line the first round, but success is within our reach. I’m looking forward to racing next week in Norwalk. The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals is one of our favorite races on the tour, and we’re on the right path heading over there.”

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified Number One (3.767/327.43). He defeated Pat Dakin in Round One of eliminations, but lost to teammate J.R. Todd in Round Two. Kalitta remains Number One in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified ninth (3.837/300.86). He defeated Khalid alBalooshi in Round One and Doug Kalitta in Round Two, but lost to Brittany Force in the semi-finals. Todd is currently 10th in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified 11th (4.101/307.72). He lost to Ron Capps in Round One. Wilkerson is currently 10th in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified second (4.023/315.19). He lost to Bob Bode in Round One. Worsham is currently seventh in the points standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified 13th (4.142/307.23). She lost to John Force in Round One. DeJoria is currently fifth in the points standings.

FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Top Fuel: Antron Brown defeated Brittany Force, 3.814/317.34 to 3.850/320.89.
Funny Car: Matt Hagan defeated Tommy Johnson Jr., 4.098/310.48 to 4.147/308.50.
Pro Stock: Vincent Nobile defeated Jason Line, 6.655/208.01 to 6.637/209.26.

NEXT RACE
The next event is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, July 4-6 at
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Visit http://www.dragracecentral.com/ for more news and in-depth results from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.