Line Regains Points Lead at Delayed Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Jason Line’s performance at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals moved the two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion back into the points lead for the first time since the season-opener in Pomona. The only thing that was able to stop Line’s march to the final round was Mother Nature. Persistent rain showers forced officials to postpone the completion of Pro Stock and Funny Car until the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, August 27 through September 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Line has won 34 national events in 70 final rounds as a Pro Stock driver, but has never won at Brainerd International Raceway. Riding a wave of momentum with two consecutive victories, this weekend’s race gave him a great shot at earning that first victory.

Line qualified second with a 6.622 second, 208.49 MPH run. He defeated Mark Hogan in the first round of eliminations with a 6.573/209.69 pass that was the quickest and fastest Pro Stock run of the weekend. Line met up with Shane Gray in Round Two and took the win, 6.580/209.30 to 6.623/207.46. The Summit Racing team returned to the pit area to prepare for the semifinals, but the rain persisted and forced a postponement until the U.S. Nationals.

“Would I have preferred to do it here? You bet,” said Line. “But things don’t always go the way you want them to. We had a super fast car today, and I think we would have been tough to beat. The Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros are going to be ready when we get to Indianapolis.”

Anderson Maintains Top 10 Position
Greg Anderson qualified fourth for the second time this season with a 6.632/208.39 run. He ran a 6.574/209.39 against Deric Kramer in Round One of eliminations, a run second only to teammate Jason Line’s first round pass. Unfortunately for Anderson, Kramer’s .004 second reaction time gave him the win. Fortunately for Anderson, his biggest challenger for the 10th place in the points standings, Jonathan Gray, also lost in the first round.

“I feel like we lost a golden opportunity, because my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro ran fantastic this weekend,” Anderson said. “The crew did a great job, and I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to capitalize on the chances that we had today. I’m definitely looking forward to Indy and getting back on the horse.”

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified second (3.812/322.96). He defeated Chris Karamesines, Spencer Massey, and Tony Schumacher in the first three rounds of eliminations but lost to Morgan Lucas in the final. Kalitta is currently first in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified 16th (3.988/268.06) but lost to Antron Brown in Round One. He is currently 10th in the points standings.

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified 13th (4.154/302.89) but lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in Round One. He is currently 10th in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified ninth (4.111/307.44). He defeated Tony Pedregon in Round One, but lost to John Force in Round Two. Worsham is currently ninth in the points standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified sixth (4.082/306.12). She defeated Courtney Force and Matt Hagan in the first two rounds of eliminations, but lost to Ron Capps in the semi-finals. DeJoria is currently fifth in the points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Morgan Lucas defeated Doug Kalitta, 4.866/229.55 to 4.987/256.16.
Funny Car: John Force will meet Ron Capps for the Brainerd final at the U.S. Nationals.
Pro Stock: The semi-final and final rounds will be run at the U.S. Nationals.

Next Event
The next event is the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, August 27- September 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit Drag Race Central more news and in-depth results from the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.