JUSTIN ASHLEY WIN #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE IN SEATTLE

Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team won their third Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge during qualifying at the NHRA Northwest Nationals. Ashley's victory came with a 3.890-second pass at 315.49 mph, defeating reigning world champion Doug Kalitta. Ashley reached the final after a close semifinal race against Antron Brown, winning with a 3.903-second pass.

Ashley emphasized the importance of this win as it brings crucial points closer to the Countdown to the Championship. Despite recent struggles, the team bounced back well in Norwalk and secured the No. 2 qualifying spot with a 3.694-second pass at 331.04 mph. Ashley will race Shawn Langdon in the first round on Sunday.

“This is really meaningful, especially this time of the year because we’re getting closer and closer to the Countdown to the Championship. The way the points are, they get added after the Countdown points reset, so these points are super important. Any time this SCAG Phillips Toyota team can get a win in competition, whether it’s on race day, or the Mission Foods Challenge, I think it’s really beneficial for us,” Ashley said. “There was a stretch recently over the last four or five races where we’ve been struggling, We had a good bounce back in Norwalk, then we ended up qualifying No. 2 here. We’re working on some things, testing out some things, just adjusting the tune up, so I’m pretty happy with where we’re at, and a win like this is good for the team.”