Summit Racing Jason Line NHRA Brainerd Pre Race: For Line, Racing in Brainerd is a Family Affair

Contact: Jon Knapp
Summit Racing PR
Ph: 704.662.3121
J2Racing@aol.com
 For Jason Line, Racing in Brainerd is a Family Affair 
 
Mooresville, N.C., August 11, 2010 – This weekend, Summit Racing driver Jason Line will be attending a family reunion in his home state of Minnesota.  As in most cases, relatives will be gathering from various points around the country to spend quality time together.  However, what distinguishes the Line family assemblage from similar meetings is the location and chosen activity, as they will meet at Brainerd International Raceway and take part in this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.  While Jason will naturally be behind the wheel of his Pro Stock Pontiac, his father Lawrence, mother Maxine and brothers Ben and Lance will be competing in various divisions of the Stock category in what has become an annual tradition for the Wright, MN-based family.
 
“My family has been racing in Brainerd for as long as I can remember, so I always enjoy coming back here to race,�?? said Line.  “My father raced before we were born, but gave it up once we came along.  Once we were able to drive in the early to mid 80’s, we were back at the track.  I remember we had some fun trips where we would have one big caravan heading to the track.
 
“To be honest, I miss some of the camaraderie of racing in Stock and Super Stock, so I’m looking forward to being back there with everybody, and seeing a lot of folks that I grew up with.  I know there will be a lot of story telling, where I expect to be the primary target, rehashing some of the things I’ve done.  Still, it promises to be a lot fun, and after the race we’ll head back to Wright and have a huge picnic where the whole town comes out to celebrate.
 
“Before that, however, we all have some business to take care of on the racetrack.  I think nothing would be better than for me to win in my Summit Racing Pontiac while someone from my family wins in Stock. Sharing the winner’s circle with them would be the ultimate thrill.�??
 
Naturally, as the solitary stop made by the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in his home state, winning in Brainerd ranks high on Line’s wish list.  Having come agonizingly close on two previous occasions (including losing to his teammate Greg Anderson in last year’s final), he enters this year’s edition determined to add it to his list of successes.  However, as the last race of the NHRA’s regular season, the 2006 champion knows it will be equally important for his KB Racing team to use the event to prepare for the upcoming Countdown to One championship playoffs.
 
“I have often said that if I could pick one race to win, it would be Brainerd,�?? said Line.  “I’ve come close a couple times, but still have to find a way to get to the winner’s circle.  Fortunately, the track should not be an issue, and the forecast is looking pretty good. I’ve seen a lot of changes at BIR over the years, but it’s always been a great place to race.  I think the people that own it now are probably the most enthusiastic about it, which bodes well for the future. 
 
“Although this Summit Racing team will certainly be going for the win as we do at every race, we’re also planning to do some things to put ourselves in a good position for the start of the playoffs.  We’ll use this race to try and learn some things that will not only help us this weekend but also carry over to Indy and the start of the Countdown.  This is a big weekend for both the Line family and KB Racing, so we certainly want to make the most of it.�??
Notes for Jason Line & the Summit Racing Pontiac crew
At Brainerd International Raceway:
 
Jason has come close in Brainerd: In his previous six starts at Brainerd International Raceway, Jason has two final round appearances and three finishes of the semifinals or better.  Jason’s most recent BIR final round appearance came one year ago, when he was the runner-up to his teammate Greg Anderson.
 
A Brainerd Wally is on Jason’s Wish List: Jason enters the weekend looking to score his first national event win at Brainerd International Raceway. Should he be successful, it will be the 14th different track on which he will have won in his Pro Stock career.
 
Line’s Brainerd Qualifying Stats:  Jason has started in the top half of the field in all six of his prior starts at Brainerd International Raceway, including earning the No. 1 qualifying position in 2007.  Jason’s average starting spot in Minnesota has been 4.17.
 
Event Schedule:
            Friday, August 13:                   Two qualifying sessions at 2:45 & 5:30 p.m.
            Saturday, August 14:              Two qualifying sessions at 11:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m.
            Sunday, August 15:                Final eliminations starting at 11:00 a.m.
 
Television Coverage (all coverage on ESPN2):
            Qualifying:                   Saturday, August 14 – 11:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m.
            Eliminations:                Sunday, August 15 – 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
            RaceDay:                    Sunday, August 15 – 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
(All times Eastern)  
 
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia.  For more information, please visit www.summitracing.com.
# # #