Pro Stock’s Jason Line Looks to Change Luck at Home Track During Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway

BRAINERD, MN – August 6, 2019 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –  Jason Line Hailing from Wright, Minn., the annual visit to Brainerd International Raceway, the site of the 38th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals on Aug. 15-18, is always a welcome trip for Jason Line. But the Pro Stock standout and three-time world champion wouldn’t mind his luck changing at the facility just over an hour from his hometown.

Jason Line has enjoyed an incredible list of accomplishments during his standout NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock career, but it doesn’t actually include a trip to the winner’s circle in Brainerd. He’s been to the finals four times at the fan-favorite facility, most recently in 2016, and he even won the race in 2014, but the finals were finished in Indy that year, meaning he hasn’t enjoyed the ultimate glory at the track in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro. With the veteran seeking his first win of 2019, this year would be the perfect time to win in Brainerd.

“That place has been kind of tough for me, but the older I get the more relaxed I get, so maybe this year it will help me,” Jason Line said. “I’m looking forward to going, that’s for sure. I want to enjoy doing what I do for the amount of time I have left doing it. Going to Brainerd, the biggest thing is seeing my core group of friends and family that I started racing with years ago. It’s a good reminder of a lot of things, and there’s a first time for everything.”

Billy Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including live final eliminations coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Aug. 18. It is the 11th of 18 races during the 2019 Pro Stock season and Line is looking for a late-season surge.

The stop in Brainerd is the penultimate race during the NHRA regular season and a win would solidify his title hopes. Line is currently fifth in points thanks to one final round appearance this year and two semifinal showings. It’s a solid showing, but not what Line is after. He had to wait until the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship to get his first win a year ago, and that’s a scenario Line, a 48-time event winner, hopes to avoid in 2019.

“We’re not bad right now, but I don’t know that we’re great,” said Line, who has 100 final round appearances. “I think we can be better and obviously that’s the goal. There’s some other stuff we’re working on that I think will refine things and will help us be better long-term. We need to do a little better on raceday. Our class has evolved into super refinement. You’re not going to find big gains, so you’re going to have to rub on what you’ve got and try to improve it.”

Finding that improvement would be perfect timing for Line in Brainerd, which annually delivers one of the most unique and memorable atmospheres on the NHRA circuit, thanks in part to the on-site campground known as “the Zoo.” For Line, it’s simply home, which is enough to get him excited to return. But there’s a tall task to succeed in Pro Stock, as Line will have to deal with the likes of KB Racing teammates Bo Butner, the current points leader, Greg Anderson and Deric Kramer, who all have wins this season, as well as the likes of Matt Hartford, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Alex Laughlin.

“In our class, the difference between okay and great is a really small number,” Line said. “There’s definitely not a huge difference between okay and great. I’m just trying to take an analytical approach to it and try to do a better job. We’ll try to keep getting better and we’re constantly trying to come up with new ways to improve.”

Billy Torrence won his first Top Fuel race in his NHRA career last year in Brainerd. He already has two wins in 2019, and will look for more competing against his son, points leader and defending champ Steve Torrence, Austin Prock, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and Antron Brown.

Beckman grabbed his first Funny Car win at Brainerd a season ago, marking the fourth straight year a first-time event winner was awarded at the track. He’ll try for a repeat win against points leader Robert Hight, John Force, who just won his 150th race, and Ron Capps.

The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing future stars of the sport. After Nitro qualifying on both days, fans can watch the spectacular Lucas Oil “Muy Caliente” jet cars. Jet cars are propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows.

NHRA fans can take part in the Mello Yello Walking Tour to see the teams hard at work in the pits. Fans can also attend Pro Stock school at on Friday, as well as Nitro School on Saturday to learn how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds. Brainerd International Raceway will host the Cruising with Castello Sealmaster Track Walk hosted by NHRA announcer Joe Castello. Another can’t-miss experience is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes. NHRA fans can congratulate the winners as they celebrate their Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals victories.

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Television coverage includes Friday Night Nitro Live on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug 16, as well as additional qualifying coverage at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17. Live finals coverage begins at 2 p.m. on FS1 on Sunday, Aug. 18.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 866-444-4455. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on tickets. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

About NHRA

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Source: National Hot Rod Association Jason Line

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