Team Summit Racing Gets Win #11 at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Team Summit Racing continued its dominance of NHRA Pro Stock as Jason Line defeated teammate Greg Anderson in the final round of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. It was Line’s sixth win of 2016, his 43rd career victory, and his second at Bristol Dragway.

Line was the Number One qualifier for the sixth time this season with a 6.652 second, 208.01 MPH pass. He was supposed to face David River in Round One of eliminations, but River dropped out of the race. This gave Line bye-runs in the first two rounds, automatically putting him in the semifinals where he defeated Drew Skillman, 6.688/207.66 to 14.723/56.33.

It was another all-Summit Racing final with Line facing Greg Anderson. Line got the jump at the starting line with a .099 second reaction time to Anderson’s .121 RT, taking the win with a 6.668/207.59 to Anderson’s 6.694/207.62.

“Greg and I were both a little tardy off the line, but we had a great run and I was able to get my sixth win,” Line said. “It’s big to win this race. I had some special friends here this week and that makes it even better. And to win on Father’s Day, it’s special to be able to tell my Dad I love him on TV.”

Line remains Number One in the Pro Stock points standings, 87 points ahead of second place Anderson.

Anderson Makes Sixth Final Round Appearance
Greg Anderson qualified second with a 6.675/206.83 pass. He defeated John Gaydosh in Round One (6.657/208.07 to 6.790/202.94; Shane Gray in Round Two (6.668/207.56 to 7.165/150.88); and Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the semifinals (6.690/207.56 to 10.882/80.81) to reach his sixth straight final round where he runner-upped to teammate Jason Line.

“It was a great day on the Mountain. Father’s Day and my Dad is in the house, I had a wonderful day,” Anderson said. “What else can I say about our Summit Chevy Camaros—they’ve been great all weekend, and hopefully they’ll stay that way going into the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals this coming weekend.”

Greg is currently second in the NHRA Pro Stock point standings.

Engine Explosion Ends Tim Wilkerson’s Day in Bristol
Tim Wilkerson qualified thirteenth with a 4.236/266.16 run. He struggled to make a clean pass in his old Ford Shelby Mustang on loan from its new owner, Brian Stewart.

In the first round of eliminations against Matt Hagan, a malfunction in the drivetrain about 400 feet from the starting line caused Wilkerson’s motor to over-rev and explode. Hagan took the win over Wilkerson, 3.945/309.40 to 4.614/176.12.

“We need to start an upward trend again in Norwalk,” Wilkerson said. “We were sure going the wrong way the last three races. Those kinds of catastrophes have an effect on a team, but we’re going to buckle in and get it fixed.”

Wilkerson is currently sixth in the NHRA Funny Car point standings.

Team Summit Results: Pro Modified
Kenny Lang failed to make the 16 car field, with a best run of 6.128/238.51.

Team Summit Results: Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified second (3.767/323.97). He reset the Bristol Dragway Top Speed record (329.34 MPH) and defeated Kyle Wurtzel in Round One of eliminations. Kalitta defeated Pat Dakin in the second round, but lost to Shawn Langdon in the semi-finals. Kalitta remains Number One in the points standings. 

“My Mac Tools guys worked very hard this weekend and we nearly came out on top,” Kalitta said. “We will head to Norwalk and look to defend our title at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals next weekend.”

J.R. Todd qualified ninth (3.825/319.60) but lost to Tony Schumacher in Round One. He is currently seventh in the points standings. 

“We have made some serious progress on our hot weather setup,” Todd said. “ You never like to lose early in the day, but we are excited to be headed to Norwalk.” 

Team Summit Results: Funny Car
Del Worsham qualified second (3.888/329.42), setting a new Bristol Dragway Top Speed record in Funny Car. He defeated John Hale in the first round, but lost to Alexis DeJoria in the second round. Worsham is currently fifth in the points standings.

“After our qualifying success, we were looking for more than just a second round defeat,” Worsham said. “We have another shot at it next weekend, and the DHL team looks forward to the challenge.”

Alexis DeJoria qualified tenth (3.999/314.83). She defeated Chad Head and Del Worsham in the first two rounds of eliminations, but lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the semi-finals. DeJoria is currently tenth in the points standings. 

Final Round Results
Top Fuel: Shawn Langdon (3.838/322.19) defeated Tony Schumacher (3.924/310.70).
Funny Car: Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.038/313.22) defeated Matt Hagan (4.030/317.57).
Pro Stock: Jason Line (6.668/207.59) defeated Greg Anderson (6.694/207.62).
Pro Modified: Mike Castellana (no time recorded) defeated Bob Rahaim, (DQ-crossed centerline)

Next Race
The next race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-26 in Norwalk, Ohio. Visit Drag Race Central for more information and results from the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.