MARTIN, Mich. (September 22, 2026) – SCAG Racing had a strong showing at the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park, with Bluebird Turf Top Fuel driver Will Smith and SCAG Power Equipment Ford Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson both advancing to the second round of eliminations on Monday.
After rain postponed Sunday’s eliminations, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returned to the track Monday to complete the event. Smith turned in a career-best performance in his Bluebird Turf Top Fuel Dragster, while Wilkerson continued to show strong performance in his SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang.
Smith qualified No. 5 in the Top Fuel field with a 3.706-second pass at 335.32 mph. He carried that momentum into eliminations, defeating Leah Pruett in the first round with a career-best 3.699 at 336.83 mph. Smith advanced to the second round, where he faced Shawn Langdon. Langdon recorded a 3.686 at 342.73 mph to defeat Smith’s 3.722 at 335.82 mph.
“What a weekend for our Bluebird Turf team! We came up a little short today, losing second round to Shawn Langdon, but what a day we had before that! We laid down a monstrous career-best 3.69 at 336 MPH in the first round!
“We were hoping to go all the way today, but I couldn’t be more proud of this team and the performance of our Bluebird Turf Top Fuel Dragster! We made six runs this weekend, all between 3.69 and 3.76, that kind of consistency is a huge testament to the hard work these guys put in every day.
“I am so proud of this our team, and the entire SCAG Racing organization. We’re building something special, and weekends like this give us a lot to be excited about. Now it’s time to turn around and get ready to Rockingham in just a few short days.”
Wilkerson qualified No. 5 in Funny Car with a 3.904 at 321.20 mph and put together two close rounds of racing on Monday. In the opening round, Wilkerson’s 3.909 at 328.23 mph edged Spencer Hyde’s 3.920 at 328.95 mph. In the second round, Jordan Vandergriff posted a 3.871 at 333.09 mph to defeat Wilkerson’s 3.911 at 332.59 mph.
“I’m very proud of this whole SCAG Power Equipment team. There’s a lot of good racing out there today, we just came up short on our second round race. Really we just gotta get our car to run between the 60 foot cone and the 330 foot cone, and we’re gonna be really, really tough. We’ve already made a move to try and do that in Rockingham since the weather looks good. I think this Summit Racing Equipment, Ford Mustang is gonna have something for ‘em there.”
Dave Richards qualified No. 12 in Funny Car with a 3.981 at 316.90 mph. Richards faced J.R. Todd in the opening round but shook the tires shortly after launching, resulting in a 4.876 at 196.25 mph. Todd advanced with a 3.925 at 336.57 mph.
“Well it didn’t work out in our favor first round today, but I’m very excited for Will Smith and Daniel Wilkerson moving on to second round. I’m glad I only have to wait a couple days to get back in the car and get back after it. I know what this team’s capable of and we’re gonna get it figured out, and be back stronger in these last five races.”
Justin Ashley qualified No. 8 in Top Fuel with a 3.733 at 333.58 mph. However, Ashley elected not to participate in Monday’s eliminations due to Yom Kippur.
“I elected to refrain from participating in Monday’s racing due to religious observance,” said Ashley. “My heart breaks for our team, partners, and organization, because they deserve nothing more than the opportunity to compete on raceday. However, I am incredibly grateful for their unconditional support. It means the world to me. I can’t wait to pick up right where we left off in Rockingham.”
SCAG Racing will return to action this weekend at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina for the NHRA Nationals at the Rock.
