NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Jason Line’s dominant start to the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season all started with a final-round appearance at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. It keyed a string of eight straight final-round appearances, five of which ended up a wins in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro, and ultimately a third Pro Stock world championship for Line.

It was an impressive way to start the first year of the redesigned Pro Stock class, even if Line knows that repeating that run will be difficult. But what he is focused on is a fifth win at Pomona at this weekend’s 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, which kicks off the 2017 season.

“When (the string of finals appearances) was happening, I didn’t even think about it until six or seven races in and I won’t now, either,” said Line, who has 45 career wins. “It’s not a realistic goal and I’m not going to be delusional. I’m going to do the best I can and do what I can to help my teammates as well. This off-season was more about refinement. Last year, it was coming up with a recipe and now it’s about refining it. It was a way different mindset going into this off-season.”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were winners of last year’s tradition-rich event, which will for the first time in its history feature Sunday’s eliminations live on the FOX national broadcast channel. It is the first of 24 races in 2017 and the event will air on FOX Sports 1 on Friday and Saturday, and FOX on Sunday.

Line watched his longtime teammate Anderson win both races at Pomona, but it was Line who ended up with the world championship on the strength of eight wins and 14 final round appearances. Anderson also had eight victories as the duo stayed a step ahead of their talented competition in the new era of Pro Stock.

But as kind as Pomona has been to Line and Anderson, with the duo combining for 16 wins at the historic track, Line knows the competition will be intense in 2017. Past champions like Jeg Coughlin Jr., Erica Enders and Allen Johnson all made considerable strides late last year and in the off-season, and Line expects an extremely competitive field in Pomona.

“I think there’s going to be a bunch of cars all jammed together,” Line said. “It’s going to be a crapshoot on who wins. The crew chief role is going to be very important because there’s going to be a bunch of really close cars. But it’s always fun going to Pomona. That first race of the year is always fun, seeing what everybody did over the off-season, and it’s one of my favorite tracks and places to race.”

As for his own off-season, Line didn’t have to look far for motivation. While he made sure to celebrate his first championship since 2011, Line remains driven to push forward and get better, in part because of who he works next to each day.

“There are a couple ways to look at it,” Line said. “In the off-season, the guy who finished second is right next to me and he’s been working really hard. It was somewhat of a relief, knowing you won a championship and you try to enjoy it, but you look at Greg and he is more motivated than ever. But it’s obviously a great feeling to have accomplished your goal. It’s a rare feeling because it doesn’t happen a lot and it’s nice to say that you did it.”

In Top Fuel, Torrence defeated Doug Kalitta in the event’s final round en route to three wins and a third-place finish in 2016. He’ll square off against the likes of back-to-back world champ Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett.

In Funny Car, Capps started his dream 2016 with a Winternationals victory, using that momentum to help claim his first Funny Car world championship. The loaded class field also includes Del Worsham, John Force, Matt Hagan, Courtney Force, Jack Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr.

The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. As always, fans have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers with 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.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Feb. 11, also at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Kids 12 & under get in free with a general admission ticket, while students save 50 percent on general admission at the gate with a student ID. Military and first responders save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets.