Justin Ashley Racing
JUSTIN ASHLEY LEADS SCAG RACING WITH QUARTERFINAL FINISH AT NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FL – 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.
JUSTIN ASHLEY AND SCAG TOYOTA DRAGSTER READY TO START NHRA SEASON WITH A STATEMENT AT GAINESVILLE RACEWAY
GAINESVILLE, FL – When the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season kicks off this weekend at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA 
Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, Justin Ashely and his Top Fuel team will have a new look to their Toyota dragster with the cat’s eye gold of SCAG Power Equipment. Despite the new livery, Ashely returns with the same team that helped him lead the points standings for nine events and tally a career best six wins in 2023.
“We’re all excited. It’s going to be a great year. I think we had a lot of success in the past but now we have a tremendous opportunity to take this team to the next level,” Ashley said. “The Top Fuel field is separated by such small margins so having an experienced team and being able to map out some testing throughout the year will be really significant. We have the same team, the same people and personnel in place that we’ve had in the past. In order to have success in the sport, it’s people first and I think that’s critical for us. We’re very grateful to be a part of the SCAG Racing family and look forward to carrying out their mission on and off the racetrack.”
The SCAG Racing Top Fuel team will have a busy weekend schedule with the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout once again being competed during qualifying at Gainesville Raceway. In addition to the four qualifying sessions, Ashely and seven other Top Fuel teams will be battling it out for an $80,000 top prize. The participants will “call-out” their opponents on Friday while the race will be contested during Saturday’s qualifying sessions. As the No. 5 qualifier, Ashley will likely be among those called out by a higher qualified competitor.
SCAG RACING WRAPS PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT AND PRE SEASON TESTING
BRADENTON, FL – Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team led SCAG Racing at the SCAG Power 
Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park with their No. 7 qualifying position giving them the chance at the $250,000 pay day.
In four qualifying attempts, Ashley would have his best run in the final session on Friday night with a 3.713-second pass at 326.87 mph to put him seventh in the eight car Top Fuel field. After a chip draw, Ashley was matched against reigning world champion Doug Kalitta in the first round on Saturday. It would be a pedalfest for the 2020 Rookie of the Year and current champ. Ashley would ultimately cross the finish line at 5.264 seconds and 141.90 mph coming up short to Kalitta’s 4.163 at 240.
“I think this was a great week for the sport as a whole. This event was something special. It exceeded expectations, it wasn’t a home run, it was a grand slam. Fans were great and to see everyone pulling the rope in the same direction was really amazing. I hope that we continue to do more events like this. I can’t say enough about Drag Illustrated, PRO and SCAG Power Equipment and the job they did to make this come to fruition. To be invited and to qualify, it was an honor. Continue reading
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.
