JUSTIN ASHLEY RIGHT AT HOME WITH SCAG RACING
Even though it might not have looked like a successful weekend on paper for Top Fuel title contender Justin Ashley , the second-generation nitro driver counted the PRO Superstar Shootout as a win . He made as many passes as possible in his SCAG Power Equipment dragster , got acquainted with the SCAG dealers and customers that he ’ ll now represent as a member of the newly formed SCAG Racing operation , and took part in a historic , first-time event .
“ I think this was a great week for the sport as a whole ,” Ashley said . “ 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 . It ’ s a true testament to the team that we have .”
Ashley qualified No . 7 with a 3.713 at 326.87 before eventual winner Doug Kalitta dispatched him in the opening round . It wasn ’ t the headline-grabbing performance Ashley hoped for , but the always-positive young gun will take the lessons his Mike Green-led team learned and apply them to the 2024 NHRA season .
“ Even from when we got here and started testing , we made a lot of laps ,” Ashley said . “ Although we didn ’ t get past the first round today , I think we really accomplished a lot . I think we put ourselves in a really good position going into the NHRA season which , outside of winning this race , was the ultimate goal , putting us in a position to feel good going into Gainesville . On and off the racetrack , it was a productive week for a number of different reasons .” DI
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