LINE: WE STRUGGLED IN WIN
Mon, 2009-03-16 08:00
Jason Line always prefers to win. He just prefers some methods over others.
The former Pro Stock world champion from Troutman, N.C., beat Mopar front-runner Allen Johnson on a holeshot to win the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., for the second time since 2008.
Winning on a hole shot doesn’t leave the technically oriented Line with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
“The driver side of me is happy that I won on a hole shot but the engine builder side of me is upset that I had to win on a hole shot,” Line admitted. “We struggled all weekend and Mike Edwards made us look bad all weekend.”
Line is off to a good start in 2009 capturing two wins in the first three races of the season. The victory was his 17th career in 36 national event finals.
The next NHRA event is in two weeks at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Tex. Line said he and the Ken Black Racing team plans to test extensively on the week off from racing.
“We are staying in Gainesville to test on Monday,” Line said. “We definitely need it because we didn’t live up to our standards this weekend. We have a lot of work to do and in this class the work is never ending.”
When it comes to which generates the most pride, driving or engine building, it’s the speed the KB Racing cars generate on a regular basis that pleases him the most.
“The driving thing is more of a fear thing,” Line said, with a laugh. “I do it out of necessity. I am happy to be able to do it. The team did a great job because we clearly didn’t have the best car out there. I was thinking to myself before the weekend, the guy who drives the yellow car – Mr. Coughlin, rarely does he win by having the best car. We need to do the same thing because in this class you’re not always going to have the best car every weekend.
“We’re going to have to step up another part of it and for me, it’s the driving part. I’m doing the best I can and I thank the guys for working with me back at the shop. They really do try to help me.”
Good driving or bad, in the end, Line was more than pleased to be able to deliver a win for his longtime major sponsor.
“With the state of the economy the way it is, it is always good to do well for Summit Racing Equipment,” Line concluded.
The former Pro Stock world champion from Troutman, N.C., beat Mopar front-runner Allen Johnson on a holeshot to win the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., for the second time since 2008.
Winning on a hole shot doesn’t leave the technically oriented Line with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
“The driver side of me is happy that I won on a hole shot but the engine builder side of me is upset that I had to win on a hole shot,” Line admitted. “We struggled all weekend and Mike Edwards made us look bad all weekend.”
Line is off to a good start in 2009 capturing two wins in the first three races of the season. The victory was his 17th career in 36 national event finals.
The next NHRA event is in two weeks at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Tex. Line said he and the Ken Black Racing team plans to test extensively on the week off from racing.
“We are staying in Gainesville to test on Monday,” Line said. “We definitely need it because we didn’t live up to our standards this weekend. We have a lot of work to do and in this class the work is never ending.”
When it comes to which generates the most pride, driving or engine building, it’s the speed the KB Racing cars generate on a regular basis that pleases him the most.
“The driving thing is more of a fear thing,” Line said, with a laugh. “I do it out of necessity. I am happy to be able to do it. The team did a great job because we clearly didn’t have the best car out there. I was thinking to myself before the weekend, the guy who drives the yellow car – Mr. Coughlin, rarely does he win by having the best car. We need to do the same thing because in this class you’re not always going to have the best car every weekend.
“We’re going to have to step up another part of it and for me, it’s the driving part. I’m doing the best I can and I thank the guys for working with me back at the shop. They really do try to help me.”
Good driving or bad, in the end, Line was more than pleased to be able to deliver a win for his longtime major sponsor.
“With the state of the economy the way it is, it is always good to do well for Summit Racing Equipment,” Line concluded.
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