Top Fuel Winner: Justin Ashley
By: SCAG Racing
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2024) – Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team picked up their third victory of the season Sunday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Facing Shawn Langdon in the finals, Ashley handled the Cheetah II and Turf Tiger II adorned SCAG Toyota dragster to a 3.745-second pass at 329.34 mph to hold off Langdon who had a cylinder out to finish in 4.020 seconds at 261.32 mph.
“We broke out a new car this weekend and kudos to Mike Green and Tommy DeLago, they did an amazing job. There’s just something about a new chassis that feels great. It’s nice to get a win on the board, especially after the struggles that we had,” Ashley said. “We also know that at the same time that’s what racing is all about. There’s going to be ups and downs, it’s about staying level-headed. I’m just glad all the SCAG Toyota team’s hard work has come to fruition and they get a reward.”
En route to the 24th final round of his career, fifth this season, Justin Ashley and the SCAG team picked up a first-round victory against Billy Torrence laying down a 3.747-second run at 328.30 mph while B. Torrence smoked the tires for just an 8.055 at 116.88.
In the quarterfinals, Ashley faced off with motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Ashley would up his record against the titan to 3-1 with a 3.763 run at 328.30 while Stewart’s dragster ran into tire smoke early for a 9.435 pass at 78.54. The semifinal berth earned Ashely a spot in the final Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the season happening at the Toyota U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis in just 10 days.
Ashley lined up against Josh Hart in the semifinals and the SCAG Toyota dragster’s performance would maintain with a 3.754 second run at 330.39 mph bettering Hart’s 4.135 at 225.82.
“This class is so difficult, it’s so tough. It’s a 14-car field and I think that’s harder than a full field because no matter who you line up against, it’s going to be a full-time car,” Ashley said. “The margin of error is so small, so when you’re able to be consistent like that, it just increases your chances of winning. It’s one of those sports that any given Sunday, anything can happen. It’s so hard to run in such a tight window like that, but this team came through and got it done.”
Ashley has now moved into third in the points standings with one event left before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs.
“Everything that we’ve done throughout the entire regular season so far has been done with intent and purpose,” Ashley said. “We want to win each and every race that we go to, but ultimately, it’s about positioning ourselves well for Indy and beyond.”
Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Ford Mustang started their day from the No. 12 qualifying position to face Alexis DeJoria in the first round. Wilkerson would have a solid 3.927-second pass at 325.37 mph to defeat Alexis DeJoria who had a 4.254 at 218.55. Into the quarterfinals, Wilkerson’s Jackal themed hot rod would have tire smoke almost immediately and ultimately coast to a 10.218 at 88.82 mph. Wilkerson would have to watch reigning world champion and eventual event runner-up Matt Hagan drive to a 3.969 at 324.05.
“The Jackal could not be tamed today. We thought we were in a good place after first round and then detuned it a bunch and the ole’ girl did not listen. So, we are going to stay tomorrow to test and figure some things out,” said Wilkerson. “It was exciting to hang in The Zoo with SCAG and hang on the back of one of the local dealer’s Jackals. It was a fun weekend but now it’s time to get ready for Indy. I can’t wait.”
Coming into race day as the No. 14 qualifier, Dave Richards was on a solid run in the first round before the BlueBird Turf car shut off early. Richards would cross the finish line at 4.118 seconds and 263.46 mph, but it wouldn’t be enough for eventual race winner Blake Alexander’s 3.927 at 325.37.
“Started off our weekend with a Zoo run with all the SCAG folks on the Versatran truck. That was a good time and having the cars all decked out, that made the weekend special. We had a hairy moment in the third qualifying session, we got a little sideways but at least we were able to show off both sides of the BlueBird look on the car,” Richards said. “I really feel confident we’re on to something with the performance of the car and it’s coming at the right time as we get into the Countdown. I’m looking forward to getting five qualifying runs in Indy, I think it will do us some good heading into raceday.”
SCAG Racing has one regular Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series event left, the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Aug. 30-Sept. 2 before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship kicks off for the final six races of the season.
