DRAG RACING IS often an inherited life, with recent years seeing the habit in some families stretch four generations deep. For young Jack Line, it isn’ t just a passion for quarter-mile competition that runs rich in his blood, it’ s a deep drive to dig into what makes it all come together. Unafraid of hard work and, in fact, completely oblivious as to how a sedentary lifestyle is even possible, Line has etched his own name in motorsports.

An integral part of three-time Pro Stock world champion Jason Line’ s JLine Performance brand, 19-year-old Line has found his niche in CAD and CAM work as it relates to blocks, heads, and any of the accoutrements necessary to bring high horsepower roaring to life. While his father was racing for Pro Stock trophies and dedicated to digging in the dyno room, Line was paying attention, and although he has an undeniable desire to drive, he’ s found great satisfaction in a craft that centers around ingenuity and precision.

“ Everything we need, I try to make,” says Line, who took an interest in the behind-thescenes aspect of high-performance racing at an early age, following in the footsteps of grandfather Lawrence, a racer and mechanic, along with his aunt, uncles, and father.“ Some of it

was self-taught, just poking through and trying something until I figured it out, but I had help. Charlie Westcott, a Super Stock Hemi guy, and [ machinists ] Howard Elliott and Bob Olson, they helped me a lot. There have been a few people that, if I have a question or need anything, they’ re there.”

Outside of the engine shop, Line has become a reliable, hands-on crew member. The role was established early when he became part of Bo Butner’ s KB Racing Pro Stock crew that went on to win the 2017 world championship. He also worked on Butner’ s crew in Mountain Motor Pro Stock, which led to working with Mike Coughlin when he made the transition to the class with Elite Motorsports.

Line’ s work ethic and knowledge have made him an asset to any team, from 500-cubic-inch Pro Stock to sportsman categories. Most recently, he worked alongside his father on the Hemi Barracudas owned by Bucky Hess and raced in the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Although Line is anything but outspoken and shies away from attention and grand statements, he isn’ t timid when it comes to his intentions on any race course. His closest competitor has unintentionally set the bar high; dad Jason has 51 Pro Stock wins, an additional world title in Stock Eliminator, and set an A / Modified Production land speed record at Speed Week at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in 2012. The younger Line had his shot at the salt in 2023 and 2024 in the Jesel Land Speed Team’ s entry,

and although he eclipsed 200 mph, he did not meet his father’ s 235 mph average.

“ I really wanted to go faster than him at Bonneville. I know it’ s about impossible, and I’ d have to race until I’ m 100, but I want to try to be better than my father in every aspect,” says Line with a tone of respect.

As the future builds, Line is enjoying his life and looking ahead toward what he hopes will include a chapter with him behind the wheel. In addition to racing at Bonneville, he has made his first steps into quarter-mile racing. After Dallas Glenn allowed him to take his El Camino down the local dragstrip, he drove his dad’ s 1970 Buick GS at the PRO race in Bradenton. He also has his own race car, a Camaro, in the shop at home that he works on whenever possible.

“ Hopefully, my future includes Comp, Pro Stock, making cool parts,” he says.“ I wish I could have been born a little earlier to be in the carburetor-era of Pro Stock – that would have been awesome. But I like how everything is going. I don’ t know everything, but I’ m proud of what I’ ve learned in the manufacturing and machining side of things. I’ m working and learning, and it’ s been cool to actually be helpful and make parts for people.

“ Someday, I think it would be awesome to race with my dad in Pro Stock, and maybe I can convince him to get back in the seat,” Line adds.“ You never know, but it’ s great already because I get to hang around a lot of smart and fun people and have new experiences. I’ m pretty happy.” – KELLY WADE DI

PHOTO: EVAN SMITH