As testing wound down for the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock driver Jason Line rocked the drag racing world with a couple of stunning 800-plus mile-per-hour passes.

Line reached the Mach 1.2 speeds strapped in a United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 2006 Pro Stock champion was invited to take a break from testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and take a spin with the USAF Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base on February 5. As a former Senior Airman in the United States Air Force, Line jumped at the chance.

"That was the ride of my life," Line said. "That's something I've always wanted to do, and even when I was in the Air Force, I never had the opportunity to go up in a fighter jet. That was incredible. When it was over I was ready to go again."

On Tuesday morning Line met with medical officials at the Air Force base for a pre-flight medical exam of his heart and lungs to ensure that he was physically able to handle the stress of a combat aircraft capable of flying at Mach 2 and maneuvering turns at 9 Gs. He then was briefed on what to expect during the flight at an orientation with his pilot, Lt. Col. Rob Skelton. "They fit you up for a flight suit, get you the right gear, and give you a rundown of what to expect," Line said. "It takes a couple of hours." As testing wound down for the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock driver Jason Line rocked the drag racing world with a couple of stunning 800-plus mile-per-hour passes.

Line reached the Mach 1.2 speeds strapped in a United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 2006 Pro Stock champion was invited to take a break from testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and take a spin with the USAF Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base on February 5. As a former Senior Airman in the United States Air Force, Line jumped at the chance.

"That was the ride of my life," Line said. "That's something I've always wanted to do, and even when I was in the Air Force, I never had the opportunity to go up in a fighter jet. That was incredible. When it was over I was ready to go again."

On Tuesday morning Line met with medical officials at the Air Force base for a pre-flight medical exam of his heart and lungs to ensure that he was physically able to handle the stress of a combat aircraft capable of flying at Mach 2 and maneuvering turns at 9 Gs. He then was briefed on what to expect during the flight at an orientation with his pilot, Lt. Col. Rob Skelton. "They fit you up for a flight suit, get you the right gear, and give you a rundown of what to expect," Line said. "It takes a couple of hours."

During the one-hour flight, the F-16 Falcon reached speeds of Mach 1.2 and broke the sound barrier twice. Line endured two ten-second intervals of 9 Gs as the Falcon went through its maneuvers. "Out of sheer ignorance, I wasn't that nervous before the flight," Line said. "Afterwards, I felt a little more jittery. It was quite an experience!"
   
Founded in 1953 by the United States Air Force, the Thunderbirds have flown in over 4000 air shows and exhibitions all over the world. In 2008, the Thunderbirds will be celebrating their 55th year of representing the men and women who serve our nation proudly. Celebrities who have flown with the Thunderbirds include sports superstars Kyle Busch, Steven Carlson, Joe Montana and Tiger Woods; actors Brendan Fraser, Matt LeBlanc, Harrison Ford and Holly Hunter; comedian Bill Engvall; and recently Bob Iger, the CEO of the Walt Disney Corporation.

The F-16 Falcon that Line flew in on Tuesday is nearly identical to current combat aircraft with only minor modifications made for its essential role with the Thunderbirds. After four years in the Air Force from 1987 to 1991, and over four years behind the wheel of a 200 mile-per-hour Pro Stocker, Line says nothing can compare to flying in the Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon. But he did get some ideas to help his Summit Racing Pontiac.

"Afterburners.we need a couple of those on the race cars."