Justin Ashley Conquers Indy

Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team scored a dominant victory Sunday at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The win marked Ashley’s first at the “Big Go,” his third of 2025, and the 18th of his career. The milestone came 18 years after his father, Mike Ashley, won the same event in Funny Car.

“I've dreamed about this moment over and over and over again, and then to actually live it right now right here is truly special… The fact that my father won here 18 years ago and to have him here now and to win this event in Top Fuel, it really is special,” Ashley said.

Ashley defeated regular season Top Fuel champion Tony Stewart in the final round with a .027-second reaction time and 3.839-second pass at 326.16 mph, edging Stewart’s quicker 3.815 run at 321.88 mph after Stewart’s slower .053 reaction time.

“I thought it was possible to win here like my father did… but to have actually done it, it’s on another level,” Ashley said.

Ashley qualified 12th and battled past a tough lineup:

• Round 1: Beat Antron Brown with a 3.721 at 328.46 mph.

• Quarterfinals: Survived traction issues to get past Doug Kalitta.

• Semifinals: Advanced over Tripp Tatum with a 3.808 at 327.74 mph.

“It’s no secret, we've struggled a little bit the last few races, but we made some pretty drastic changes to the car… it certainly meant a full field challenge today having to go through Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, Tripp Tatum, and then Tony Stewart,” Ashley said.

Ashley closed the regular season ranked fourth in Top Fuel points. The NHRA Countdown to the Championship begins September 12–14 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.