PRO STOCK’S JASON LINE KNOWS BIG PERFORMANCE NEEDED AT NHRA KEYSTONE NATIONALS TO KEEP CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES ALIVE

MOHNTON, Pa. – Entering the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship in fourth place and with hopes of competing for a third world championship, the NHRA’s six-race playoffs haven’t exactly started as planned for Pro Stock standout Jason Line.

Line has picked the worst time to go into a slump in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro, losing in the opening round at each of the first two stops in the Countdown to the Championship, dropping him to eighth in the points standings.

It also means that this weekend’s 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway is vitally important for Line. If any shot remains of a championship, Line will need a standout performance at Maple Grove Raceway, a facility where he has won twice and still holds the track record for speed at 214.35 mph, which he set in 2012.

"Maple Grove Raceway has always been one of my favorite places we go on the NHRA tour, for several reasons," said Line, who has two victories and four final round appearances in 2015. "That particular racetrack is a great place for racing Pro Stock, and our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros seem to do very well there. I have had a lot of good races there, and we’ve set the record at Maple Grove a few times.”

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The lucrative event is third of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, finishing off a string of three straight race weekends.

Line will need a big performance to close out a stretch that has had a forgettable start in nearly every regard. After a final round appearance in Brainerd, Line recorded a second-round finish at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy, but it has been a struggle since then.

He qualified 10th in St. Louis, just the second time in 2015 he has qualified 10th or worse, and his team has been unable to get Line’s Camaro to perform at optimal levels. Line has put together solid runs but he knows great ones are needed in the Countdown playoffs.

“I’m very happy about the progress for my teammates and their Chevrolet Camaros, and we are definitely narrowing it down with my car,” Line said. We’re still kind of stuck, but it isn’t bad. It’s just off a little bit, but in this class right now, being a little bit off isn’t going to get it done. We’re going to keep digging, and we have great folks over here in the KB Racing camp. I’m certainly grateful for what I have, and I know it will all come together at some point in the very near future.”

Line hopes that near future is this weekend but he has always delivered in pressure situations throughout his standout career. Tracking down points leader and reigning world champion Erica Enders, who holds a 206-point lead over Line, will be difficult but he knows his car can perform better.

Teammate Greg Anderson, who sits in second and is 113 points behind Enders, is proof of that as his Camaro has qualified No. 1 at each of the past three races.

“We’ve had some challenges lately with my car and the driver, unfortunately, but Greg’s Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro has been good,” Line said. “That’s great for our KB Racing team, and we’ve all worked very hard so we expect that to continue. We haven’t yet achieved what we’ve been shooting for with my car, but that could – and should – change this weekend."

Line will again face off against a number of championship-caliber stars in Pro Stock, including Enders, who won three straight races before a runner-up finish last weekend in St. Louis. Also trying to track her down will be Drew Skillman, who picked up his first professional win in St. Louis, Allen Johnson, who jumped to third in points, Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha, Larry Morgan, who is currently in fifth, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray.

But Line has always felt at home at Maple Grove Raceway, thriving in the fast conditions that are usually part of race weekend. Quick conditions could again present themselves this weekend and Line plans to make the most of it.

"It’s just fun to race there, and I always try to bring my family with me because it’s a nice time of year to be in that part of the country,” said Line, who has 37 career victories. “We all enjoy it. It’s always a good weekend.

"This is a race I always look forward to. Of course, we have a job to do. KB Racing will be focused on that and on capitalizing on the conditions. We could see more record runs this weekend if the conditions are just right."

In Top Fuel, Antron Brown has been red-hot with two wins in the Countdown, opening up a 77-point lead over defending event winner and reigning world champion Tony Schumacher. Other Countdown standouts include three-time world champion Larry Dixon, Brittany Force, J.R. Todd, Doug Kalitta, Richie Crampton, who has four wins in 2015, Dave Connolly, 2013 world champion Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence.

Del Worsham opened up a 90-point lead over reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan by knocking off the two-time champ in St. Louis to give Worsham back-to-back Countdown wins. He’ll look to keep up his hot streak at Maple Grove Raceway, but trying to track him down are a host of championship-caliber drivers, including Tommy Johnson Jr., Jack Beckman, who has six wins in 2015, 16-time world champion John Force, Ron Capps, teammate Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson and Robert Hight.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning world champion Andrew Hines will look for his second win in the Countdown at Maple Grove after his earlier playoff win in Charlotte. Hector Arana Jr. moved to second in points with his win in St. Louis, while regular season points leader Eddie Krawiec now sits in third. Others to watch include Jerry Savoie, who is three points behind Krawiec in fourth, Matt Smith, Hector Arana, two-time season winner Karen Stoffer, Jim Underdahl, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.

Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will race hard in their quest to become winners of the thrilling event during the weekend.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to 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 in motorsports 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.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 2, with sessions at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Maple Grove Raceway at (610) 856-9200 or visit www.maplegroveraceway.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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NHRA KEYSTONE NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals, the 21st of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the third of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, Pa. Track is located off the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Exit 298), 10 miles south of Reading, Pa.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 548 feet above sea level; Track direction is north to south.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 1-4

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, Oct. 1 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, Oct. 2 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 3 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 4 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 6 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 3 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, Oct. 3, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 3/Transponder 24C

Sunday, Oct. 4, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 3/ Transponder 24C

(4180 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Rodger Brogdon, Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 7; Angelle Sampey, PSM, 6; Tony Schumacher, TF, 5; Jeg Coughlin, PS, 4; Warren Johnson, PS, 4.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ’12; 334.15 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’12

Funny Car – 3.986 sec. by Jack Beckman, Oct. ’12; 323.97 mph by John Force, Oct. ’14

Pro Stock – 6.465 sec. by Erica Enders, Oct. ’14; 214.35 mph by Line, Oct. ’12

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. and 198.73 mph by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.899 sec. by Del Worsham, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.; 330.47 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call (610) 856-7200. Tickets also are available at www.maplegroveraceway.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the second of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 2,320; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,243; 3. Larry Dixon, 2,161; 4. Brittany Force, 2,157; 5. J.R. Todd, 2,149; 6. Doug Kalitta, 2,139; 7. Richie Crampton, 2,133; 8. (tie) Dave Connolly, 2,127; Steve Torrence, 2,127; 10. Shawn Langdon, 2,126.

Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 2,327; 2. Matt Hagan, 2,237; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,211; 4. Jack Beckman, 2,208; 5. John Force, 2,178; 6. Ron Capps, 2,177; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,123; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 2,116; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,107; 10. Robert Hight, 2,099.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 2,331; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,218; 3. Allen Johnson, 2,195; 4. Drew Skillman, 2,171; 5. Larry Morgan, 2,167; 6. Chris McGaha, 2,162; 7. Vincent Nobile, 2,155; 8. Jason Line, 2,125; 9. Shane Gray, 2,117; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,066.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,259; 2. Hector Arana Jr, 2,225; 3. Eddie Krawiec, 2,208; 4. Jerry Savoie, 2,205; 5. Matt Smith, 2,167; 6. Karen Stoffer, 2,146; 7. Hector Arana, 2,135; 8. Chip Ellis, 2,131; 9. Jim Underdahl, 2,094; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,041.