Tue, 11 Feb 2020, 19:33 PM Jason Line kicks off Finish Line Tour with Final Round for Team Summit

Courtesy of Kelly Wade Photo copyright 2020 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Jason Line

POMONA, Calif. -- Jason Line's self-proclaimed Finish Line Tour is off to a strong start. Line, the driver of the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro and a three-time Pro Stock world champion, raced to the final round at the 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals for the seventh consecutive season, and although he didn't leave with the trophy this time, he exits Auto Club Raceway as the No. 2 man in the Pro Stock points and with a good measure of momentum.

"We had a good day," said Line, who met Jeg Coughlin in the final round. "It wasn't bad, it just wasn't exactly what we wanted. We'll take it, though, and we'll be happy and move on."

In the first round, Line made his intentions clear as he socked away a holeshot win over Alex Laughlin, launching steady with a .025-second reaction time and backing it up with a 6.569-second pass at 209.39 mph to shut down his challenger's .037 and 6.561, 210.14.

Fernando Cuadra Jr. recognized Line's determination and took his chances at the starting line in round two, ultimately leaving .041-second too soon and illuminating the red light. Line surged ahead for a 6.574, 208.65 victory that gave him lane choice over Erica Enders in the semifinals.

There, Line simply had the better overall tune-up as his opponent got loose and slowed. Line powered to a victorious 6.582, 208.94 over a 6.621, 209.95 and advanced to the 103rd final round of his Pro Stock career.

Mooresville, N.C., based Line was first to leave the starting line in the final and had Coughlin in his rearview at the hit with a .018 reaction time to a .027. It was Coughlin at the stripe, though, with a 6.522, 210.80 to a 6.565, 209.56.

"We did okay today, and we get another chance in Phoenix in two weeks, so I'm looking forward to that," said Line, who will hang up his Pro Stock driving suit at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

"It's been really humbling this weekend. I've had a lot of people saying really nice things, and some even saying they'll miss me - that's not something I hear a lot," he continued with a laugh. "I don't want to get caught up in being sentimental, because I still have a job to do for our team owner, Ken Black, and Summit Racing. I'm still thinking about what we have to do to get better before Phoenix, and we will be better."