Dave Richards Racing
DAVE RICHARDS TAKES BLUEBIRD TURF TO NHRA FOUR-WIDE FINALS AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
LAS VEGAS – Dave Richards and the BlueBird Turf / Versatran Funny Car team made their way to the finals of the NHRA Four-Wide 
Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday earning the first semifinal points finish of Richards’ career. Justin Ashley also took the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster to the final quad while Daniel Wilkerson finished with quarterfinal points.
Richards finished third in the final quad at The Strip with a 4.320-second pass at 227.80 mph, beating out four-time world champion Matt Hagan’s 7.965 at 87.66 after he hazed the tires. Paul Lee finished runner-up (4.042 at 311.77) while reigning world champion Austin Prock picked up the win (4.009 at 316.01).
“This was an exciting day. I’ve never made it past the second round. It was a great weekend for our team. It feels really good to go some rounds,” said Richards who moved to 13th in points. “To make it to the final quad in this Funny Car category, to finish third, it’s a major accomplishment for our BlueBird/ Versatran team. Now we have the momentum and taste of what it’s like and we want to continue this trend.” Continue reading
DAVE RICHARDS AND BLUEBIRD / VERSATRAN TEAM HOPE TO HAVE SOME LADY LUCK ON THEIR SIDE AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
LAS VEGAS – SCAG Racing’s Dave Richards is set to take on the thrilling chaos of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals this weekend at The Strip 
at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Piloting the BlueBird Turf / Versatran Funny Car, Richards heads into the event with momentum and a clear focus on delivering a standout performance in the unique four-wide format.
“We’re making progress and moving forward,” said Richards who is 15th in points standings after qualifying No. 12 on a 3.945 second pass at the NHRA Winternationals. “We already have a three-second run under our belt, which shows we are capable of keeping up with this super competitive class. That’s a big step for us, and it’s got the whole team looking forward to showing what we can do.”
Last year at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, Richards qualified 14th before an exit in the first quad against former world champions Ron Capps and J.R. Todd. In the fall event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richards ran one of his first three-second runs to qualify 13th, barely falling short of a first-round victory with a second-consecutive three-second run. Continue reading
DANIEL WILKERSON AND SCAG FORD REACH FINALS AT NHRA WINTERNATIONALS
POMONA, CA – Daniel Wilkerson and his SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang Funny Car team finished runner-up Sunday at the Lucas Oil 
NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Teammates Dave Richards in the BlueBird Turf / Versatran Funny Car and Justin Ashley in the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster each had early first round exits.
In the final, the second of Wilkerson’s career, the SCAG Ford Mustang team would take on Funny Car veteran and former world champion Jack Beckman. Neither car would make a clean pass. Wilkerson’s SCAG machine went up in tire smoke at the hit, forcing Wilkerson to coast to an 8.292 second run at only 91.83 mph. Beckman would have to pedal his way to a 4.015 at 302.28 for the victory.
“I’m just really proud of our guys for going from not being in the show going into the final session of qualifying to going to the final round of eliminations. Everyone was pretty bummed when we got back to the pit but we have a great car and the car and I are finally starting to click a little bit together so it’s going to come pretty soon. I’m not worried,” said Wilkerson who now sits seventh in the Funny Car points standings. “I’m glad we had these back-to-back races. Getting back out here, making some runs, it was a big deal for me after the red light I had last weekend in Phoenix. I’m glad we were able to turn things around.” Continue reading
DAVE RICHARDS AND BLUEBIRD TURF / VERSATRAN TEAM CONFIDENT HEADING INTO NHRA WINTERNATIONALS
POMONA, CA – Dave Richards and his BlueBird Turf / Versatran Funny Car team are set to make a statement at the 65th annual Lucas Oil 
NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
The Winternationals, the third race of the 20-event 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, offers Richards a prime opportunity to build on a productive test session following a first-round exit at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. With technical kinks ironed out and a cohesive crew clicking, Richards is poised to turn on winlights at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
“Testing went great for this BlueBird / Versatran team. We simulated a race day for timing, going all the way to the finals. It was good to make four laps in one day, I’ve never done that before. We definitely learned a lot,” Richards said. “We made full pulls in the hot and slimy conditions. We know we’ll have it different this weekend but most importantly we 100% have the parachute gremlin figured out. We have a couple new guys this year and they all did a great job assembling the car all four runs. It really has us feeling confident heading into the weekend. We’re excited to turn the corner and show what we’re made of.” Continue reading
SCAG RACING WRAPS UP ARIZONA NATIONALS AT FIREBIRD MOTORSPORTS PARK
CHANDLER, AZ – With a quarterfinal finish Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team led the three-car 
nitro SCAG Racing team at this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. His Funny Car teammates, Daniel Wilkerson in the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang, and Dave Richards in the BlueBird Turf / Versatran machine each had first round exits.
In the first round, Ashley, the No. 6 qualifier, handled his SCAG Toyota dragster to a 3.805-second pass at 327.19 mph to take down Top Fuel sophomore Ida Zetterström and her 3.818 at 324.51 pass. The win matched Ashley up with defending event winner Shawn Langdon in the quarterfinals. Ashley’s SCAG Toyota dragster would run into tire smoke at mid-track for a 4.124 pass at 246.08 mph falling short to Langdon’s 3.841 at 311.49.
“It was nice to pick up our first-round win of the year today. Seeing that win light on Sundays always brings a big smile to all of our faces. Of course, we would’ve loved to go further, but it’s a long year and we will have learned a lot from the race and tomorrow’s test session,” said Ashley who is one win light away from 150 career round wins. “I am super proud of our team and grateful for the opportunity to represent SCAG Power Equipment and all of our great partners.” Continue reading
DAVE RICHARDS AND BLUEBIRD TURF / VERSATRAN SET SIGHTS ON SUCCESS AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
CHANDLER, AZ – Dave Richards and the BlueBird Turf / Versatran Funny Car are ready to showcase the progress of the SCAG Racing-
backed team at this weekend’s 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park.
After weather shortened the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway taking away a full day of qualifying chances, Richards and the BlueBird Turf team did not qualify to compete on raceday. They sat 17th out of 18 entries for a 16-car field. Despite the results, Richards and the team are optimistic heading into race two of the season.
“It’s a tough start to the season. I really do believe if we had those two qualifying runs on Saturday in Gainesville we would be in a way different spot,” said Richards who is 17th in points. “After testing and seeing the numbers, I know we’ve come a long way from where we were last year. I’m positive we will get it together and start building momentum starting this weekend at the Arizona Nationals.” Continue reading
SCAG RACING CLOSES OUT NHRA SEASON OPENER AT GAINESVILLE RACEWAY
GAINESVILLE, FL – The 2025 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season officially kicked off this weekend with the Amalie Motor Oil 
NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Daniel Wilkerson, driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang Funny Car and Justin Ashley who pilots the SCAG Toyota Top Fuel dragster each had first round exits while Dave Richards and the BlueBird / Versatran team fell victim to Mother Nature’s rain out of Saturday qualifying.
Wilkerson and his SCAG Mustang secured the No. 5 qualifying spot after a 3.901-second pass at 325.45 mph on Friday. Their efforts matched them with No. 12 qualifier Buddy Hull in the first round. Wilkerson would leave the starting line first but both Funny Cars would have tire smoke forcing the drivers to pedal their way to the finish line. Hull would get there first with a 4.048 elapsed time at 313.37 to defeat Wilkerson’s 4.177 at 322.88.
DAVE RICHARDS AND BLUEBIRD / VERSATRAN TEAM LOOKING TO MAKE AN EARLY MARK AT NHRA SEASON OPENER
GAINESVILLE, FL – Competing in the second full Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season of his career, Dave Richards and the BlueBird / Versatran Funny Car team are ready to show off their progress with win lights at this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
After testing at Bradenton Motorsports Park and participating in the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout specialty event, there’s no denying the BlueBird team is leaps and bounds ahead of where they were last year at this time. Richards handled the BlueBird hot rod to a pair of three-second passes, a mark they didn’t meet until late in the 2024 season, and recorded an unofficial career best speed of 320.28 mph during qualifying at the specialty event.
“Last year was definitely a building year for us. I do feel we’ve come a long way. The results didn’t show on paper as much as we’d like but this year is going be great. Testing went good at Bradenton and we’re testing a bit again before the Gatornationals get started at Gainesville Raceway,” Richards said. “The Gatornationals is a big race, the history and all that but also kicking off the 2025 season. I have high expectations for our team and for myself as a driver this year. I feel really confident in our team. The round wins are coming, the bonus would be winning one of these events.” Continue reading
SCAG RACING CLOSES OUT 2024 NHRA SEASON AT IN-N-OUT BURGER NHRA FINALS
POMONA, CA – The first season of the SCAG Racing, NHRA’s first factory team, came to a close Sunday at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA 
Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip with Daniel Wilkerson’s quarterfinal exit and No. 7 points finish, Justin Ashley’s third place finish and Dave Richards’ 12th place finish.
Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang team wrapped their 2024 NHRA Drag Racing Series season with a quarterfinal exit at the NHRA Finals. Their 3.926 pass at 206.88 would come up short to reigning world champion Matt Hagan’s 3.856 at 333.66.
Wilkerson started the day from the No. 12 position off a 3.903-second pass at 308.92 mph. His first round opponent was fellow Ford Mustang driver Bob Tasca III. Tasca would smoke the tires and pedal his Mustang to a 5.774 pass at 125.85 and watch Wilkerson drive off to a 3.910 at 333.08.
“For some reason I was insanely emotional this morning. I cried like a little baby during the anthem. I think the gravity of this being the last one of the year just kind of hit me all at once,” said Wilkerson who walks away from the 2024 season seventh in points. “I cannot believe the friendships I have made this season with new teammates, our PR team, Metalcraft of Mayville employees, SCAG dealers and distributors. This program is truly amazing for so many reasons beyond drag racing and our on track performance. I’m proud to be a part of it and I can’t wait to keep doing it for a long time to come. Continue reading
DAVE RICHARDS AND BLUEBIRD TEAM LOOKING TO END 2024 STRONG AT NHRA FINALS
POMONA, CA – Dave Richards and the BlueBird / Versatran Funny Car team enter this weekend’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-
Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip hoping to close out their first full Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season with win lights on Sunday.
Richards and the BlueBird team found their stride at the Texas NHRA FallNationals when they laid down their first three-second run of the season and followed it up with Richards’ career best elapsed time (3.920 seconds).
Most recently at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, the BlueBird / Versatran hot rod made three of four qualifying runs in the three-second range. Despite a first-round loss to eventual semifinalist Blake Alexander, Richards again crossed the finish line with another sub-four second run.
“Overall, this season, I think our team has done well. We’ve kept our heads down and put in the work. We kept fighting and now the results are showing,” Richards said. “We wish theywould have com e a little sooner in the season, but I’m proud of my team and the future we are building. Continue reading
