KB Racing LLC: Line after win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
KB RACING LLC NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT PONTIAC GTO PRO STOCK JASON LINE -- DRIVER 52nd ANNUAL NHRA MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS O'REILLY RACEWAY PARK -- INDIANAPOLIS. AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 4, 2006* *Line after win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals* CLERMONT, Ind. (August 28, 2006) -- As he prepares for the biggest and most prestigious event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule, Jason Line, driver of the KB Racing LLC-owned, Summit Racing Equipment-backed Pontiac GTO and current Pro Stock leader in the NHRA POWERade point standings, has two thoughts on his mind: Can he win the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend and Can he win the Pro Stock point championship. If he is to win the Indy event at O'Reilly Raceway Park (ORP), he must overcome the fact that he has never gone to a final round and has not had a No. 1 qualifying position in the previous three races he's raced here. After never advancing past the quarterfinals at Indy, this race could be the most pivotal in Line's quest for the championship. "I haven't done well at Indy in the past and to change that, the Summit Pontiac and the driver must be at the top of our game," said Line, as he prepared for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the race that most drivers tell you is the one that means the most. "It is another year and this GTO is producing the best performance out there. So that is a plus. "A win at Indy would mean a lot to me. A lot of great drivers like Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson and my teammate Greg Anderson have won this race numerous times; I would like to add my name to that list. "Also, this race is important in the battle for the championship as is every race. I will go out there thinking I can win and as long as I do my best, I'm comfortable with that. Both Greg and I want to be at the top of the list when they count the final points at Pomona." The NHRA POWERade Pro Stock point championship has come down to six races and it is anybody's game. Line leads second place Greg Anderson by 121 points and third place Dave Connolly by 171 points. Kurt Johnson is fourth, 277 points back and Jim Yates rounds out the top five in fifth, 317 points behind the leader. Anderson, Line's teammate, assessed the point races over the final six races this way: "Right now, I think Jason and I both have the two best cars," said Anderson, who has won the last three POWERade point championships and has four wins in five final rounds at Indy, during testing at ORP. "Jason's GTO has been great for the last 10 or 12 races, and that's going to continue. It's not going to be easy catching him, he has fantastic equipment and he's done a great job. We have two equal horses, and it will come down to the two variables behind the wheel, along with Dave Connolly, Kurt (Johnson) and anyone else who is going to be in this championship mix. It's not going to be easy, but the good thing is that Jason and I both know we have good equipment, we're both driving better, and we have as good a chance as anybody." The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is not only the most prestigious race of the year, it has the most qualifying sessions of any event -- five. Qualifying for Line and his KB Racing LLC-owned, Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GTO begins with one Pro Stock sessions on Friday, Sept. 1, scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Two more sessions are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2 at 1 and 6:15 p.m. and concludes with two additional Pro Stock sessions on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Line begins his quest for his fourth consecutive win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Monday, Sept. 4, with eliminations for all classes beginning at 11 a.m. All times are local Indianapolis time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. ESPN2 HD will cover all the qualifying and eliminations action for the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals: Sat., Sept. 2, ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 3, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. Sun., Sept. 3, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at noon. Sun., Sept. 3, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. Mon., Sept. 4, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of eliminations coverage at noon. Mon., Sept. 4, ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 4 p.m. *Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.* /KB Racing LLC is owned by Las Vegas businessmen Ken Black and his son Kenny Black. KB Racing LLC fields two Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock Pontiac GTOs, one driven by Greg Anderson and the other by Jason Line in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Anderson has won three consecutive POWERade Pro Stock Championships (2003-2005). Line finished third in the 2005 POWERade point standings and was honored with the 2004 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future award, presented to the most outstanding rookie in a professional category. This year KB Racing LLC also began fielding a Top Fuel Dragster, managed by Kalitta Motorsports, with rookie Top Fuel driver Hillary Will handling the driving duties./