Justin Ashley Racing
JUSTIN ASHLEY READY FOR FIRST SEASON WITH SCAG RACING
MAYVILLE, WI – Justin Ashley, a second generation drag racer, will take on the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season 
racing the flagship Top Fuel dragster for the newly formed SCAG Racing team.
Ashley has brought his full team into the SCAG Racing fold with crew chiefs Mike Green and Tommy DeLago at the helm of the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster and Dustin Davis overseeing the day-to-day operations. In 2023, Green and DeLago led Ashley to a career best six wins and three No. 1 qualifying positions. Ashley would lead the points for nine races ultimately finishing the season fourth in the points standings for the third consecutive year.
“I’d like to thank Randy Gloede and his team for the opportunity to represent Scag Power Equipment and all of their distributors, dealers, owners and users all across the country.” Ashley said. “Being chosen to join the first NHRA professional factory team is an honor and comes with great responsibility. I’m a firm believer in mastering your position and becoming the very best you can be within that role. As part of the SCAG Racing family, I can now be laser focused on finding success both on and off the racetrack, which includes both the driving and business sides of racing. This is a classic one plus one equals ten.”
PHILLIPS EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH SCAG RACING’S JUSTIN ASHLEY
MAYVILLE, WI – It was announced today that Phillips will continue their relationship with 2020 Rookie of the Year Justin Ashley as a major 
associate sponsor on his SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster for the 2024 racing season.
Phillips, a partner of Ashley’s since 2022, had primarily utilized their motorsports program to feature Phillips Connect, but the continued success of the program has resulted in Phillips opening the program to the entire Phillips Family of business units including Phillips Industries, Phillips Connect and Phillips Innovations.
“Motorsports, specifically drag racing, represents a truly unique way to build customer relationships outside of the office and corporate environments. The NHRA VIP experience is unique and Justin truly understands our business,” said Rob Phillips, CEO of the Phillips umbrella of companies. “I am impressed with what Randy Gloede has done with SCAG, and we are honored to partner with him and Justin’s team. Randy aligns with Phillips in how we value our partners and relationships – it’s not only about our love for motorsports but our love for our customers.”
Justin Ashley Reflects on Career Best Season
PLAINVIEW, NY – Justin Ashley, driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster, was in contention for his first Top Fuel world 
championship entering the final day of the 2023 NHRA season. During the regular season Ashley accumulated a category best six wins in seven final round appearances, qualified No. 1 three times and won 40 rounds of racing, also a category best mark. He was the No. 1 driver in Top Fuel reaction times and scored six Mission #2Fast2Tasty wins. Eventually, the second-generation driver finished No. 4 in the Top Fuel point standings scoring a runner-up finish at the Nevada Nationals as his highlight moment of a tough Countdown. Ashley took a few minutes during the PRI Show to reflect on the 2023 season and all his positive accomplishments.
What stands out as a pivotal moment for you in 2023?
“I think the most significant, pivotal moment was probably the second race of the year when we were in Arizona. We didn’t perform the way that we wanted to in Gainesville. And the important thing was going to be how we responded the next week in Arizona. We responded by winning the race. Then we followed up by winning the next race again after that in Pomona. I think that was a turning point for us. It showed the fortitude of our team and our attitude. I’m proud to be a small part of such a great and bigger group that accomplished so much this year.”
JUSTIN ASHLEY HEADS TO PRI WITH FULL SCHEDULE
PLAINVIEW, NY – Justin Ashley wrapped up to the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series with another Top Fuel Top Five finish 
after winning the most races in the regular season (6), appearing in the most finals (8) and winning the most rounds (40). As the focus shifts again to the pursuit of his first Top Fuel world championship Ashley will be attending the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, December 6-8, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The 2020 Rookie of the Year and fan favorite will start the show with an appearance at a local Menards, a long-time supporter of the Phillips Connect Toyota team driver, to introduce Chipoys snacks to their over 300 stores across the upper Midwest. Ashley and the Maynard Ashley Racing team were instrumental in adding Chipoys to the ever-growing line of snack products Menards offers to their loyal customers.
“The PRI Show is a great opportunity to announce Chipoys snack foods are joining the lineup at Menards stores across the upper Midwest,” said Ashley, an 11-time Top Fuel national event winner. “This was a program we have been working on throughout the season and it came together just in time to announce before PRI. I am excited to meet fans on Wednesday night and introduce them to all the great Chipoys snack foods.”
ASHLEY FINISHES CAREER BEST SEASON IN POMONA
POMONA, CA – Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster capped one of the most dominant seasons in recent Top 
Fuel memory with a semifinal finish at the season-ending In-N-Out NHRA Finals. As a six-time national event winner this season Ashley was one of five drivers in contention for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel world champions coming into race day today at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip. Ashley entered eliminations Sunday as the No. 8 qualifier with his eye on his first Top Fuel championship. Ashley needed to win the race and for the drivers he was chasing to exit early.
In the opening round facing the reigning 2022 Top Fuel champion Brittany Force Ashley knew his path to victory was not going to be an easy one. Ashley and Force were the first two Top Fuel dragsters to hit the track and it was Ashley turning on the first win light of the day. He was first off the line and never trailed in the drag race. His winning time of 3.715 seconds at 333.74 mph gave him lane choice over No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock in the quarterfinals.
“I always try and do my best to stay even keel,” said Ashley. “Our team does the same and I think that’s what helps to give us the best chance to win. We could certainly feel the intensity because it’s the final day and you never know when it’s going to be your last lap of that season. Seeing that win light turn on being the first pair out of first round was really relief more so than anything else.”
Ashley to Honor Veterans with Wyakin Foundation at NHRA Finals
PLAINVIEW, NY – For the past two NHRA seasons Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team have supported and 
honored veterans through a partnership with the Wyakin Foundation. This weekend at the NHRA Finals Ashley, Phillips Connect and the Wyakin Foundation will be hosting three veterans on Saturday, November 11, to celebrate Veterans Day. The Wyakin Foundation’s mission is to serve as a conduit, connecting wounded and injured veterans to their successful and fulfilling civilian futures through education, development, and guidance. Each year Ashley and the Phillips Connect Top Fuel team have raised awareness and honored the commitment and success stories of veterans.
“This is one of the most powerful opportunities I have as part of my relationship with Phillips Connect,” said Ashley, an 11-time Top Fuel national event winner. “Bringing awareness to the Wyakin Foundation and getting to meet and spend time with veterans is so important. Helping in a small way to get these men and women veterans back into society and supporting their education and professional goals is truly an honor. They have sacrificed so much for our freedoms and although we can never fully repay them, I hope this serves as a small token of our gratitude. I am looking forward to meeting with George, Brandon and Patrick this weekend.”
JUSTIN ASHLEY HAS PATH TO CHAMPIONSHIP IN POMONA
PLAINVIEW, NY – As his most dominant season as a Top Fuel driver and team owner comes down to the final race of the season, the NHRA 
Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Justin Ashley has a clear path to his first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world championship. It is not an easy road by any means but sitting just 82 points behind point leader Steve Torrence and having 30 points per round available, plus possible qualifying bonus points a strong qualifying effort and a cooperative competition ladder could give Ashley and his Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team a legitimate shot at the world title.
“At the beginning of the season everyone says they just want to have a shot at the championship coming into the NHRA Finals at Pomona in November,” said Ashley, a six-time winner in 2023. “We have our shot and now it’s all about capitalizing on the opportunities that are ahead. We’re focused on taking it one round at a time and letting the points take care of themselves. Our best chance to win this championship is by taking care of our business and not being concerned with the variables around us.”
The past year years at the NHRA Finals Ashley has suffered first round exits at the hands of Toyota teammate and strategic technology partner Antron Brown. Conversely over the past three years at the NHRA Winternationals at the same track Ashley has raced to three consecutive final rounds winning the past two events including the 2023 edition when he was No. 1 qualifier. A weekend like that in Pomona would set Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota team for major success. Over the past three Winternationals Ashley has qualified No. 7, No. 2, and No. 1.
JUSTIN ASHLEY RUNNER-UP IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – Justin Ashley and the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel dragster powered by Phillips Connect came up just short of their bid for 
a seventh Top Fuel in this season today at the NHRA Nevada Nationals. Ashley, the No. 6 qualifier, outran Dan Mercier, Austin Prock and Steve Torrence before losing to Mike Salinas in the final round. The successful day kept Ashley in the championship conversation as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series heads to Pomona, California for the season finale in two weeks.
“I feel really good about the way the day went today,” said Ashley. “It was critical for us to be in the championship hunt and give ourselves a realistic chance going into Pomona by the time this race was over. I think that we did a good job of accomplishing that. One more round would have made a big difference and we would have loved to have come away with the win. Anytime you go to a final round in a race like this, at such a crucial point in the season that is super important. We feel good and I am just looking forward to trying to take those next steps.”
Ashley faced Canadian drag racer Mercier in the opening round looking to kick start his championship hopes. As the No. 6 qualifier the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel dragster powered by Phillips Connect had lane choice and Ashley took full advantage getting a starting line advantage and never trailing in the drag race. Ashley’s winning time of 3.736 seconds was enough to get the win over Mercier’s solid 3.752 second pass.
IBEW Local 357 and SNV NECA Las Vegas Power Professionals Join Justin Ashley at Nevada Nationals
LAS VEGAS – Heading into the NHRA Nevada Nationals Justin Ashley driver and team owner of the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel 
dragster powered by Phillips Connect will also feature additional horsepower from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 (IBEW) and the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) your Las Vegas Power Professionals. By joining forces with the eleven-time national event winning team the IBEW 357 and SNV NECA Las Vegas Power Professionals are looking to highlight their impact on the greater Las Vegas community which has provided tens of thousands of electrical industry careers for Southern Nevada families since 1931.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work so closely with IBEW 357 and SNV NECA Las Vegas Power Professionals this weekend at the Nevada Nationals,” said Ashley, who is in the middle of an NHRA Top Fuel championship run. “When looking at the landscape around Las Vegas both on and off The Strip, I can’t help but think about the contributions from these two groups that helped to make it all happen. Millions of people enjoy their Las Vegas experience thanks to the hard work and expertise of the IBEW 357 workforce and SNV NECA contractors. I can’t wait to further introduce their teams to ours and the NHRA Drag Racing community.”
Nevada Nationals Chance for Justin Ashley to Make Championship Push
PLAINVIEW, NY – Coming down the homestretch of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Justin Ashley and the Leatherwood 
Distillery Top Fuel team powered by Phillips Connect are in familiar territory. Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year, is in the middle of a tight quartet of drivers trying to win the Top Fuel world championship. Last year Ashley was in an equally tight race with eventual champion Brittany Force and Steve Torrence. This year he needs to outpace Torrence, Leah Pruett and Doug Kalitta for the championship with only 108 points separating the four drivers.
Justin Ashley and the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel dragster powered by Phillips Connect, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery
“We have been in this position before and I think we can lean on that experience,” said Ashley, a six-time Top Fuel winner in 2023. “Last year we were in and out of the points lead during the Countdown and there were always several teams grouped together trying to take the top spot. The field is more competitive than it’s ever been, and it’s shown throughout the first four races of the Countdown. If we can find success in Las Vegas I believe we’ll have an opportunity for the championship in Pomona.”
Three of the four top teams, including Ashley, are vying for their first championship. Kalitta has finished second six times in his career, most recently in 2020 and 2019. Pruett’s best finish in Top Fuel is fourth which she has accomplished three times in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Ashley has secured back-to-back fourth place finishes in 2021 and 2022. The opportunity to win his first championship after a stellar regular season is top of mind for Ashley and the Leatherwood Distillery Top Fuel team.
