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Justin Ashley, SCAG Toyota Team on a Roll Headed Into Ohio

Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team enter this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park hungry for victory.

Currently third in points, Ashley has visited the final round of an NHRA national event five times this season, including back-to-back final quad appearances at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and Charlotte, the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee and last weekend’s Virginia Nationals outside of Richmond.

Ashley’s most recent visit to the finals resulted in a less-than-conventional victory at Virginia Motorsports Park. Following the conclusion of the event, NHRA issued a statement disqualifying Shawn Langdon’s winning run: “The disqualification is due to a rulebook violation related to missing bolts on the bellhousing inspection cover.” By default, Ashley was awarded the win, his first of the season and 16th of his career.

“We have a lot of good things going for us following Virginia. That race was easily our biggest challenge of the season because of the high temperatures and condensed run schedule,” said Ashley, referring to the two-day race format with three qualifying runs on Saturday and the over 90-degree weather. “But our SCAG guys handled it flawlessly. Navigating through the weekend to reach our fifth final round in the first nine races is spectacular. I am very proud.”

Heading into race 10 of 20 and officially marking the halfway point of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Ashley is looking for his first win at the fan and racer favorite Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. In 2024, Ashley qualified No. 2 and raced his way to the semifinals.

Ashley will also be competing in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge as a result of reaching the semifinals in Virginia. He’ll have a rematch against former world champion Doug Kalitta during Saturday’s qualifying and a chance at championship bonus points as well as a cash prize.

Competition at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park begins with qualifying Friday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations for the event will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Fans can catch qualifying action on FOX Sports 2 (FS1) Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. Eliminations will air on FOX Broadcasting Network (FOX) Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

This story was originally published on June 26, 2025. Drag Illustrated

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