Sat, 25 Feb 2017, 09:48 AM Line and Anderson 1-2 on a Fast Friday at NHRA Arizona Nationals

Courtesy of Kelly Topolinski =20 Photo copyright 2017 Auto Imagery, Inc.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- SERIES:NHRA-SUMMIT HEADLINE: Line and Anderson 1-2 on a fast Friday at NHRA Arizona Nationals TEASER: REPORTER:Courtesy of Kelly Topolinski PHOTO_CAPTION: Photo copyright 2017 Auto Imagery, Inc. TYPE:STORY DATELINE: CHANDLER, Ariz. – SLUG:PHOENIX - Line and Anderson 1-2 on a fast Friday at NHRA Arizona Nationals

NHRA Arizona Nationals provisional No. 1 qualifier Jason Line in the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro.

Conditions on Friday at the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals were spectacular, and the naturally aspirated Pro Stock cars were clearly in their happy place. None of the factory hot rods were happier, though, than the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stockers wheeled by KB Racing drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson. Reigning NHRA Pro Stock Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world champion Line, who was the low qualifier two weeks ago in Pomona, blasted to the quickest pass in the EFI era to score the provisional pole, and four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Anderson made the third-quickest EFI pass to nab the No. 2 spot.

Both of the Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros were loaded for bear from the get-go at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Early numbers at the significant points on the racetrack were extraordinary, allowing the drivers to build their respective passes on a favorable foundation. In the earlier session both Line and Anderson were to the 60-foot timer in a very respectable .961-second, but in the later session, Line clocked in at 60 feet with a wicked .951. Anderson was right there with a .957.

"That was a really nice run, and it was awesome in low-gear. They had it loaded up, and the track was really good today," said Line. "We were trying to be .949 [to the 60-foot timer], just because nobody has ever been that fast. We were trying, but saying it is one thing and doing it is another. Still, it was a nice run, and we're pretty darn happy. Both of our Summit Racing Chevy Camaros are super-fast right now, and the crew chief [Rob Downing] did a fantastic job, for sure. No matter what tomorrow brings, I'm going to have fun driving this car."

Line's initial journey down the quarter-mile dragstrip for this weekend's event at the Phoenix-area facility equated to a 6.531-second pass at 211.39 mph, which was good for the No. 2 position. Teammate Anderson was the stand-out in the first round of the day with a killer 6.529, 211.73.

The conditions for the second session included air temperature that hovered at 67 degrees Fahrenheit and a track temp of 98 degrees F. Line nabbed the provisional pole with a blistering 6.509, 212.19 that was the quickest pass in the era of electronic fuel injection for the Pro Stock cars, while Anderson made the third-quickest EFI run with a strong 6.522, 211.73.

"This was absolutely a great day of qualifying," said Anderson. "Man, when you get great weather like this, these cars just love it. The racetrack has been great, and this is the best weather I think I've ever been in here in Phoenix. You wouldn't think you could run the quickest run of the year in Phoenix, of all places, but that was pretty impressive. The KB Racing team did a great job today, and we have another day tomorrow that's going to be just as good. You're going to see more great numbers, and the rest of these guys are figuring it out. It's going to be interesting. It's fun to race like this. That's the key word – it's fun. We ended up one and two, and we had a great day."

Qualifying continues at the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals with two more sessions on the schedule on Saturday, at 1:30 and 4pm MT. Final eliminations will begin Sunday at 11am at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

Greg Anderson 
Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Q1: 6.529-second at 211.73 mph (No. 1, 3 bonus points)
Q2: 6.522, 211.73 (No. 2, 2 bonus points)
 
Jason Line
Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Q1: 6.531-second at 211.39 mph (No. 2, 2 bonus points)
Q2: 6.509, 212.19 (No. 1, 3 bonus points)
 
Bo Butner
KB Racing/Jim Butner Auto Chevrolet Camaro
Q1: 6.556-second at 211.23 mph (No. 5)
Q2: 6.542, 210.93 (No. 5)