Line Wins Vegas, Anderson Wins Fifth K&N Horsepower Challenge

The Summit Racing Equipment/KB Racing Pro Stock team continued its dominating ways with two victories at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jason Line won his second race of the season, and Greg Anderson won his fifth K&N Horsepower Challenge—and earned an extra $50,000.

The victory was the 39th of Line's career and his 82nd career final round.

“This is a great start to the year. It feels really, really good,” said Line. “None of this would be possible without Summit Racing Equipment. It is great to be part of their team.”

Line qualified Number One with a 6.687 second, 206.23 MPH pass. He defeated Matt Hartford, Chris McGaha, and Erica Enders to meet up with Bo Butner in the final round. Butner was quick on the starting line and cut a -0.052 second redlight to hand the race to Line.

Winning at the home track of team owner, Ken Black, made victory even sweeter.

“It is a big deal any time you can win here,” explained Line. “One of our other sponsors, Finley Chevrolet, is here in Las Vegas as well. To be able to win in front of them and Ken and Judy is a big deal. We had (event sponsor) Denso on the car for the first time, so it was icing on the cake to win this race.”

Line’s only disappointment of the weekend was an oil leak that prevented him from running against teammate Greg Anderson in the final round of the K&N Horsepower Challenge on Saturday.

“I had my heart set on winning that K&N Trophy,” he said. “Normally I don’t get too upset, but it bothered me a little bit.”

The recent death of NHRA Chief Starter, Mark Lyle, was also on Line’s mind.

“It was so strange to go up there and not see Mark,” Line explained. “He always gave me a little gesture before I staged and I am definitely going to miss that.”

Line remains in first place in the Pro Stock points standings.

Anderson Wins Fifth K&N Horsepower Challenge
Greg Anderson won his fifth K&N Horsepower Challenge in his Summit Racing Equipment Camaro at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He took home a check for $50,000 and a custom made trophy. Anderson has more K&N Horsepower Challenge wins than any other Pro Stock driver.

“I just love this race. It is so much fun,” said Anderson. “You don’t have to worry about points, you are just racing for a big check. I feel like I’ve just won at the big craps table.”

Anderson defeated Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Chris McGaha to face KB Racing teammate Jason Line for an all-Summit Racing final. Unfortunately Line’s car encountered problems during his burnout, leaking oil on the track and forcing him out of contention.

The K&N Horsepower Challenge pairs each driver up with a fan drawn randomly from contestants across the country. When Anderson took the win light, Eva Mack of Pennsylvania won a brand new Toyota Tacoma truck.

“I want to thank the Toyota people for giving a truck to a lucky fan,” said Anderson. “I feel great about getting to hand over the keys to a lucky lady from Pennsylvania.”

Anderson qualified second for the main event with a 6.692/206.35 pass. He defeated Joey Grose and Allen Johnson in the first two elimination rounds, but was defeated by KB Racing teammate Bo Butner in the semi-finals.

“It sure would have been cool to make the final so that we could have had a chance to double up the K&N prize money,” said Anderson. “But I am really happy and really proud of where the KB Racing program is at and the job that we have done with our Summit Chevys.”

Anderson is currently second in the Pro Stock points standings.

Wilkerson Debuts New Shelby Mustang Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson came into Las Vegas with a brand new Shelby Mustang. Renowned race car builder, Murf McKinney, designed the new chassis Wilkerson is running. Wilkerson tested the car for a day in Florida and the entire team has been working the last two weeks to get the car ready for its debut in Las Vegas.

He qualified fourth with a 3.936/320.66, his best showing of the season so far. The new Mustang ran very consistently during qualifying. Wilkerson faced Jim Campbell in Round One of eliminations. Wilkerson lost traction around the 660-foot mark and slowed to a 4.567/209.10. Campbell won with a 4.196/301.47.

“The entire car has a whole new fuel and clutch system on it and I’m just not accustomed to slowing it down enough yet,” Wilkerson explained. “This car has every drop of new technology in the computer box, so learning it is going to be a little bit of a transition. My team did a great job this weekend with the new setup and I’m optimistic going on to the next race in Charlotte.”

Wilkerson is currently ninth in the Funny Car points standings.

Team Summit Results—Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified second (3.732/327.19). He defeated Steve Faria in Round One of eliminations, but lost to Dave Connolly in Round Two. Kalitta is currently third in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified ninth (3.809/318.32). He defeated Tony Schumacher and Steve Chrisman in the first two rounds of eliminations before coming up short against Troy Buff in the semi-finals. Todd is currently sixth in the points standings.

Team Summit Results—Funny Car
Alexis DeJoria qualified sixth (3.947/319.14). She defeated Tommy Johnson Jr., Robert Hight, and John Force to get to the final round, where she defeated Del Worhsam for the win. It is DeJoria’s fourth career win and the first since 2014. She is currently eighth in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified fifth (3.947/323.35). He defeated John Hale, Jim Campbell, and Chad Head to reach the final round, losing to teammate Alexis DeJoria. Worsham is currently fourth in the points standings.

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Antron Brown defeated Troy Buff, 3.843/314.68 to 3.918/307.58.
Funny Car: Alexis DeJoria defeated Del Worsham, 3.968/315.49 to 3.988/323.58.
Pro Stock: Jason Line defeated Bo Butner, 6.712/206.32 to -0.052 second foul start.

Next Race
The next race is the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 22-24. Visit Drag Race Central for more news and results from the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals.