By: SCAG Racing
SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2024) – The three-car SCAG Racing team wrapped up the two-race Western Swing Sunday at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway with a pair of quarterfinal exits and a first-round finish.
Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang team earned their No. 5 qualifying position off a 3.887-second run at 334.82 mph during the third qualifying session on Saturday. They’d have to line up against SCAG Racing teammate Dave Richards and the Versatran / BlueBird team. This was the first time the teammates have faced each other in eliminations.
Wilkerson would have the starting line advantage and hold on for the round win at 3.890 seconds and 329.83 mph to Richards’ 4.069 at 314.53. Wilkerson would match up with points leader Austin Prock in the quarterfinals. Wilkerson would go 3.914 at 330.39 but it wasn’t enough for Prock’s 3.904 at 328.70.
“Very proud of our SCAG Power Equipment team this weekend, this car made three badass runs, and the runs we aborted we were able to easily see what we did wrong,” Wilkerson said. “The team is going to head home for a couple well deserved weeks of rest and relaxation and family time. Once recharged we know we have something for them in Brainard.”
Richards and the Versatran / Bluebird team entered race day from the No. 12 qualifying position off their 4.012-second pass at 307.09 mph from Saturday early afternoon. It was their second-best qualifying effort of the season; they were 11th in Seattle just one week ago.
During the final qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, Richards and the Versatran / BlueBird Funny Car team were awarded the Never Rest Award for their efforts in getting their car ready for the Sonoma Nationals after a mechanical failure put the Funny Car in the right wall during the first round of eliminations.
“We feel good and we’re leaving Sonoma with our heads held high. I think we’ve nicknamed ourselves Team Never Give Up,” Richards said. “Randy and Kim Parker were life savers getting us ready for this weekend and this Versatran / BlueBird team put in some long hours and hard work, but we made it and we ran well this weekend. I’m extremely happy with our performance this weekend. We’re getting better every lap.”
Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team secured their second consecutive No. 2 qualifier with a 3.683-second pass at 333.91 mph during the third qualifying session. The SCAG Toyota team would pick up a first-round win over eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher. Ashley handled the cats eye gold dragster to a 3.701 pass at 332.84 mph while Schumacher smoked the tires and coasted to an 8.495 at 73.79.
In the quarterfinals, Ashley would face motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Ashley entered the round with a 2-0 record against the Top Fuel rookie but wasn’t able to make it 3-0. The SCAG Toyota dragster would lose traction at the starting line and Ashley would pedal it to a 4.415 at 279.73 while Stewart had a clean pass at 3.781 and 330.72.
“I am so proud of our SCAG Toyota team. Each race is an opportunity to learn and grow. That’s exactly what we did,” Ashley said. “We expected to perform at a higher level on race day, but we qualified well, won a big first round matchup, and feel good going into Brainerd. A special thanks to everyone at SCAG, Metalcraft of Mayville, Toyota, Phillips, KATO and so many more. We are grateful to be partnered with you.”
The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series takes a two week break before returning to action at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota August 16-18.
