Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team enter this weekend’s Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fifth of six races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, holding onto the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points lead by 44.
Ashley is coming off a victory at the Texas NHRA FallNationals that took him from a 34-point deficit to the lead. It was his fourth win of the season, a career best for the second-generation racer. Ashley started the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs, with a No. 1 qualifier and semifinal finish at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania that put him in the points lead by just one over Antron Brown but a No. 4 qualifier and second round exit at the Carolina Nationals, coupled with Brown winning the event, shifted Ashley to second. Ashley maintained his No. 2 standing with a semifinal finish at the NHRA Midwest Nationals before taking the lead in Texas.
“I am sure there will be a heightened level of intensity in Las Vegas because of the championship implications. Everyone understands that there are only a handful of opportunities left to gain points,” Ashley said. “But that shouldn’t change our approach. We are in this position for a reason. It’s all about being our best both on and off the racetrack. The rest will take care of itself.”
The SCAG Toyota team have not dropped below fourth in points since the start of the 2024 season. They have reached six final round appearances with four wins at the Winternationals in Pomona, California, Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals, Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway and Texas NHRA FallNationals.
“Our SCAG Toyota team has worked so hard to get here. It takes a village and I am so grateful for all those that continue to make this possible: SCAG, Metalcraft of Mayville, Phillips, KATO, Impact and all our partners,” Ashley said. “Coming off a win in Dallas feels great. But now that’s in the past. All of our attention is on Las Vegas.”
The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway kicks off with four rounds of qualifying Friday at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with a qualifying show Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET followed by an eliminations show at 5:00 p.m. ET.
This story was originally published on October 31, 2024. 
