Line Wins in Atlanta to Make it Seven in a Row for KB Racing

Jason Line put his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro in the winner’s circle for the fourth time this season at the 36th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. It was the seventh straight win and the fourth all-Summit Racing final for KB Racing in 2016.

This was Line’s seventh consecutive final in 2016 and his third career win in Atlanta. The only person who has defeated him in the finals this year is teammate Greg Anderson.

“Any day you win in front of your sponsor is a huge day. Somehow we always seem to dig a little deeper at these races,” said Line. “This is a very tricky racetrack. I haven’t been at an Atlanta track like this ever and we struggled with it. I’m a little bit in awe that I’ve been able to race in all the (final) rounds this year. That’s pretty crazy.”

Line qualified second with a 6.610 second, 210.14 MPH pass. He defeated John Gaydosh, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Allen Johnson to make the final against Anderson. Line got a huge .043 second holeshot on his teammate, which was enough to take the win with a 6.611/209.75 to Anderson’s quicker and faster 6.593/210.50.

Line is currently first in the Pro Stock points standings.

Anderson Qualifies Number One
Greg Anderson not only made the final round in Atlanta, he qualified Number One for the fourth time this season with a 6.610/210.14 pass. 

On his way to the finals, Anderson defeated V. Gaines in Round One (6.584/211.06 to 6.685/207.82); had a bye-run in the second round; and got the automatic win in the semi-finals when Kenny Delco fouled out with a red light.

“I had a fast Camaro today,” said Anderson. “I’m very proud of the race car and the job the team did on the car. It was a wonderful day and wonderful weekend in front of Summit Racing with our two Chevy Camaros duking it out in the final round. He got the best of me this time, but hopefully we’ll lock horns again at Topeka.”

Greg is currently second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Wilkerson Falls Short
Tim Wilkerson debuted a new body from Murf McKinney on his Levi, Ray & Shoup Nitro Funny Car this weekend. He qualified seventh with a 4.001/320.66 run and had the second fastest time in two qualifying rounds, which gave Wilkerson some needed bonus points.

His day ended in Round One of eliminations as Del Worsham took the win with a 3.975/287.11 to Wilk’s 4.064/310.48.

“We had a start-switch malfunction and the clutch never started,” said Wilkerson. “That’s what slowed it down. We traced it and I think we figured it out and fixed it so we won’t have that problem again. You know that stuff never happens in qualifying, it only happens in eliminations.”

Despite the early exit, Wilkerson is currently third in the Funny Car points standings.

Team Summit Results—Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified Number 1 (3.731/328.70) and set the track ET record. He defeated Terry Haddock, Tony Schumacher, and Antron Brown to reach the final round and take the win over teammate J.R. Todd. The victory was the 40th win of Kalitta’s career. He is currently first in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified third (3.762/323.81). He defeated Kyle Wurtzel, Brittany Force, and Shawn Langdon before coming up short against Doug Kalitta in the final. Todd is currently fifth in the points standings.

Team Summit Results—Funny Car
Del Worsham qualified 10th (4.019/316.82). He defeated Tim Wilkerson in Round One of eliminations, but lost to Matt Hagan in the second. Worsham is currently sixth in the points standings.
Alexis DeJoria qualified fourth (3.949/318.69). She defeated Dave Richards in Round One, but lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the second. DeJoria is currently ninth in the points standings. 

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Doug Kalitta defeated J.R. Todd (3.801/323.19 to 3.780/320.66).
Funny Car: Matt Hagan defeated Jack Beckman (3.965/314.90 to 8.073/79.59).
Pro Stock: Jason Line defeated Greg Anderson (6.611, 209.75 to 6.593/210.50).
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Eddie Krawiec defeated Jerry Savoie (6.824/196.56 to 6.851/195.79).

Next Race
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues in Topeka, Kansas with the NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, May 20-22. Visit Drag Race Central for more news and results from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.