Justin Ashley Leads Scag Racing with NHRA Gatornationals Quarterfinal Finish

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Justin Ashley and his SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster rallied to a quarterfinal finish Sunday at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

After qualifying No. 8 on his 3.719 second pass at 325.37 mph from Saturday evening, Ashley would match-up with motorsports legend Tony Stewart, who made his professional Top Fuel debut, in the first round of eliminations. Both dragsters would have tire shake forcing the drivers to pedal their way to the finish line. Ashley would get his Toyota hot rod to hook up for a 4.414 at 297.94 taking the win over Stewart’s 4.453 at 267.80.

Ashley wouldn’t be as lucky in the next round against No. 1 qualifier and eventual event winner Shawn Langdon. After leaving the starting line first, the SCAG dragster would lose traction and have to shutoff for only a 4.890 run at 157.12 while Langdon had a clean pass at 3.709 at 334.40.

“I cannot say enough good things about our team. Everyone worked incredibly hard throughout the weekend that put us in a position to turn on win lights. We fell short in round two but learned a lot and earned a quality first round win against Tony Stewart, one of the greatest drivers in motorsports,” said Ashley who leaves Gainesville Raceway sitting tied for seventh in the points. “Now we’ll shift our focus to Pomona and prepare to put our best foot forward. I can’t wait to spend more time with our SCAG dealers and join the Phillips Family in Pomona.”

The SCAG Racing team continues the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season March 21-24 at In-N-Out Raceway at Pomona for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals