CONCORD, N.C. (April 22, 2026) — SCAG Racing heads to zMAX Dragway for this weekend’s NHRA Mission Foods Four-Wide Nationals with momentum and confidence as the team continues to build strength early in the 2026 season. Coming off a successful showing at the NHRA Winternationals, SCAG Racing’s four-car lineup is focused on carrying that progress into one of the most unique and demanding formats in drag racing, where precision, awareness, and execution are key.
Coming off a final round appearance in Pomona, Justin Ashley and his SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel team enter the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals with momentum and confidence on their side. The team showed strong performance and consistency throughout the weekend, building on a foundation that continues to trend upward early in the season. Ashley has also found success in the four-wide format previously, most recently securing a victory at last year’s fall event in Concord, giving the team additional confidence as they return to zMAX Dragway.
“Four wide racing can be a different animal,” said Ashley. “When there’s almost 50,000 horsepower on the starting line at the same time anything can happen. Your best opportunity for success is to stay focused on your lane while also understanding the difference in circumstances surrounding you. We left Pomona with some momentum in our back pocket and meaningful data we can use moving forward. That excites all of us. I am ready for a great weekend with SCAG Power Equipment and Power Tool Company both on and off the racetrack.”
Daniel Wilkerson and his SCAG Power Equipment Ford Funny Car team have added motivation heading into the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, with Charlotte holding special meaning for the Wilkerson family. Led by Daniel’s father, Tim Wilkerson, the team carries both experience and a competitive legacy into the weekend, as Daniel looks to build on last season’s strong performance at zMAX Dragway in the Fall and turn it into a breakthrough result this time around.
“We have a super cool picture of Tim two car lengths ahead of three other people hanging up in the shop from the final round in Charlotte a few years ago,” said Wilkerson. “Our goal is to recreate that photo three times this Sunday. We were so close at the end of last year. If we can duplicate that day, we have them right where we want them, and we can’t wait to do it with Power Tool Company and SCAG.”
In the early stages of his first full-time NHRA season, Will Smith continues to make steady progress behind the wheel of the BlueBird Turf Top Fuel dragster. After gaining valuable data and experience at Pomona, Smith and his team are focused on building consistency and translating those lessons into performance as they head to zMAX Dragway in North Carolina for one of the most unique events on the schedule.
“I am really looking forward to racing four wide this weekend in Charlotte,” said Smith. “Our BlueBird Turf team made a lot of progress in Pomona, and I am looking forward to us getting back on track and building on what we learned out west. Our SCAG dealers and customers are the best and we are looking forward to putting on a great show and showing them a great time at the drag races.”
Focused on steady improvement and consistency, Dave Richards and his BlueBird Turf team continue to build a strong foundation early in the season. With each race weekend providing valuable experience, Richards heads to zMAX Dragway looking to apply what the team has learned and capitalize on the unique challenges and opportunities that come with four-wide racing.
“We’re excited to get to Charlotte and take on the challenge of four-wide racing,” said Richards. “It’s definitely one of the more intense formats we run all year, and as a driver you really have to stay locked in and trust what you’re seeing. For me, it’s about keeping things simple and focusing on doing my job to the best of my ability each round. I’m really proud of the work my BlueBird Turf team has been putting in, and I feel like we’re continuing to make solid progress. Charlotte is always a special stop with great fans, and it means a lot to spend time with our SCAG dealers and distributors who support us all season. We’re looking forward to giving them a great weekend.”
In addition to Sunday eliminations, Justin Ashley will compete in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, where semifinalists and second-round finishers from Pomona will compete for bonus points and a cash prize during Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions. Daniel Wilkerson is also listed as an alternate in the Funny Car field, giving SCAG Racing a potential second entry in the specialty race.
The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway begins with four qualifying sessions scheduled for Friday at 5:00 and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. ET. Final eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at noon. Television coverage of the event will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with qualifying coverage Friday from 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET and Sunday from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET, followed by eliminations coverage Sunday from 7:00–10:00 p.m. ET.
