CHANDLER, Ariz. (April 03, 2024) – Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team will have a busy weekend as they head into NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsport Park. Not only will they be looking for a Wally on Sunday but throughout qualifying they’ll be competing in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and contest the finals of the weather delayed NHRA Winternationals.
Ashley will start his weekend competing in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge racing against his semifinal opponent, Brittany Force, from the Winternationals during the first qualifying session. If all goes well, Ashley will race in the finals of the Challenge Saturday during the second session. In what will also count as his final qualifying attempt, Ashley will face Tony Schumacher in his fourth consecutive Winternationals final round as he chases his third straight victory of the event.
“Under normal circumstances, you’re in a very particular mindset for the first round on Sunday because it’s the first eliminations race of the weekend. In 2023 that changed a bit when we had the opportunity to get into that mindset on Saturday with the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. This weekend, that starts in Q1, so we’ll have our work cut out for us immediately but cannot wait to get started,” Ashley said. “We did well in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenges last year. It was a great experience, and we enjoyed the format. It’s exciting for the both the fans and teams to see high levels of racing throughout qualifying and race day.”
Once all the excitement subsides during qualifying, Ashley will begin the defense of his NHRA Arizona Nationals victory form 2023 and hope to make it a three-win weekend.
“It really is a unique opportunity and presents an exciting challenge. I don’t know that we’ve ever gone into a national event with the potential of every run being so meaningful. The ultimate goal is to turn on seven win-lights one round at a time against the deepest Top Fuel field in NHRA history,” Ashley said. “It’s going to take a lot of toughness, a lot of focus, and a lot of discipline from our SCAG Power Equipment Toyota team. Every team is great, so all we can do is focus on being the best versions of ourselves that we can be and let the rest take care of itself. We are really looking forward to it and we’re grateful for the opportunity.”
Competition at the NHRA Arizona Nationals begins Friday with qualifying and round one of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for Top Fuel at 5:05 p.m. Second round of qualifying and the finals of the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge will begin Saturday at noon. The final qualifying session and the final of the Top Fuel NHRA Winternationals is set for 2:55 p.m.
Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning with qualifying shows Friday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET. The Winternationals Finals will air Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ET. Eliminations for the NHRA Arizona Nationals will air Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
