Line ready to follow in niece’s footsteps
(6-27-2012) MOORESVILLE, NC – Racers draw inspiration from various sources throughout their careers. In the early stages, they may want to emulate someone they have watched growing up, from a parent to a noted competitor of the time. Once they start to achieve some success, their motivation will come from wanting to excel and being the best that they can be. Other times, however, the drive to succeed will receive a welcome boost from the most unlikely area.
For example, at this weekend’s Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill., Summit Racing Pro Stock standout Jason Line will hope to duplicate the performance of his 13-year-old niece Hannah, who scored her first victory three days ago in a Jr. Dragster, competing in the Jr. Advanced division at Grove Creek Raceway in Grove City, Minn.
“My niece won her first race in a Jr. Dragster last weekend, and between her and my brother I’m not sure who was more excited,” recalled Line. “I look forward to the day when I can see one of my own kids win a race, but Hannah’s winning was very cool. We’re all so proud of her, and it shows what drag racing is all about.
“We all started at a similar stage, whether it was bracket racing or some sportsman class, and we did it just to have fun. When I talked to her all that mattered was that she won and felt really good about it, and it took me back to when I first started racing. Now I just need to find a way to repeat her performance this weekend in my Summit Racing Camaro - maybe I should call her and ask how she did it.”
Naturally, as the reigning NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock champion, Line has had his share of successes at drag racing’s top level, including several times at Route 66 Raceway, site of this weekend’s race. Located to the southwest of Chicago in the city of Joliet, Route 66 has been considered one of the top facilities on the circuit since making its debut in 1998. With three wins and five final round appearances in his previous 11 trips to Will County, it is also a favorite of the North Carolina-based racer, who is ready to return to the Illinois quarter-mile winner’s circle.
“Route 66 Raceway has been awfully good to me,” said Line. “No matter how my year is going, I always seem to be able to go to Joliet and have a good day. It’s among the best non-Bruton Smith owned facilities on tour, and I like going to the area to have some good pizza and then see some of my friends from the sportsman classes – it’s just a great race to go to.
“I can’t say I’m looking forward to the high temperatures they are forecasting for this weekend, but you’re going to have that at this time of year no matter where you go, and the conditions will be the same for everyone. It will be up to this Summit Racing team to make the best of it.”
This race will also mark Line’s second in his new Chevrolet Camaro. After a solid semifinal finish in its inaugural outing, he looks to do even better in the Land of Lincoln.
“As good as it was in its first race, I think we’ve made some improvements since then,” said Line. “Both the engine and the car guys have been working hard, so I certainly wouldn’t want to trade places with anybody else, because this Summit Racing Camaro is going to keep getting better and better. I’m expecting it to be strong this weekend, and hopefully we can be just like my niece and put it in the winner’s circle.”
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