LINE HEADED IN RIGHT DIRECTION -- TO THE TOP
Line wrung a 6.612-second elapsed time (at 209.01 mph) from his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to take the provisional No. 1 position, ahead of Johnson's 6.618-second effort at a class-fastest 209.52 mph. Edwards was third at 6.631/209.20.
Since last year's race at Sonoma, Calif. -- a year ago on the Western Swing -- Mike Edwards has dominated Pro Stock qualifying. But Jason Line, with some help from the always-dangerous Allen Johnson, took aim at that statistic Friday at Pacific Raceways during first day qualifying at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Line wrung a 6.612-second elapsed time (at 209.01 mph) from his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP to take the provisional No. 1 position, ahead of Johnson's 6.618-second effort at a class-fastest 209.52 mph. Edwards was third at 6.631/209.20.
“I couldn't be happier. I got six bonus points today -- that's more than I've gotten since they started the bonus-point program! It's the best ever,” Line said, satisfied overnight.
However, he said with cooler temperatures predicted, his 6.612 will not remain low E.T.
“That's not going to be good enough to get to the No. 1 spot," he said. "But the good news is that we have a car that I think is good enough to maybe go get it again.”
The track has been cooperative, he said.
“It's maybe a little rougher than it was last year, certainly not bad,” Line said of the racing surface. “The cooler temperatures are definitely going to help. It'll tighten it up and give it some more grip down the track.”
While some cars struggled getting off the starting line, Line's Pontiac was content.
“The starting line here is a little bit slippery and for our car right now, that's a good thing,” Line said. “For whatever reason, our car's very happy when there's not a lot of bite initially. And there's not a lot of bite, especially when it gets this hot.”
