JOLIET, Ill. (May 14, 2026) — SCAG Racing returns to Route 66 Raceway this weekend for the NHRA Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals, one of the biggest events on the team’s schedule and an important weekend for SCAG Power Equipment and parent company Metalcraft of Mayville.The Chicago-area event serves as a major gathering point for SCAG dealers, distributors, employees, and guests, highlighted by Metalcraft’s employee appreciation day on Saturday. Nearly 500 Metalcraft employees are expected to attend the event alongside a large group of SCAG dealers and distributors from across the Midwest.
Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel team head into the weekend looking to gain ground in a highly competitive Top Fuel points battle while competing in front of one of the team’s largest crowds of the season. Ashley will also be competing in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday.
“Chicago is our most important race of the season,” said Ashley. “In addition to a lot of SCAG Power Equipment dealers and distributors, we’ll also have a few hundred Metalcraft of Mayville employees joining us. Their hard work does not go unrecognized. They are the backbone of everything we do and I look forward to expressing our appreciation for that this weekend. Performance is at a premium. We’re going to stay focused on being the best version of ourselves that we can be. That should translate into success and winning. It’s a great time to make a move in points with the middle of the pack grouped tightly together. Top Fuel is going to be gauntlet and we’re absolutely ready for it.”
Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Ford Mustang Funny Car team head to Joliet eager for a turnaround weekend at a track that carries special significance for the second-generation driver. Wilkerson’s father and crew chief, Tim Wilkerson, is a two-time Route 66 Raceway winner.
“We are definitely ready for a get well weekend and the timing wouldn’t be better than Joliet,” said Wilkerson. “We have a bunch of factors producing great vibes this weekend. We will have close to 500 Metalcraft employees here this weekend. We always get a great group of dealers at this race. Tim has won this race twice in his career. It’s close to home for me so my family and a ton of friends will be there. A win would truly make this a storybook weekend!”
Will Smith and the BlueBird Turf / SCAG Racing Top Fuel team continue to build momentum heading into one of the most anticipated stops on the NHRA tour.
“We’re excited to get to Route 66 Raceway this weekend,” said Smith. “It’s always been one of my favorite tracks on the NHRA tour and there’s just something special about racing in Joliet. Our BlueBird Turf / SCAG Racing team has continued to make progress every time we hit the track, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum this weekend. Glen, Scotty, and the entire crew have been working incredibly hard and I’m proud of the direction we’re headed. This is also a huge event for SCAG dealers, distributors, employees, and guests joining us throughout the weekend. We’re going to have a lot of great people at the track, which makes this race even more fun. We appreciate all the support they give us and we’re excited to put on a great show for everyone this weekend.”
Dave Richards and the BlueBird Turf Funny Car team are also looking forward to competing at Route 66 Raceway in front of one of the largest SCAG Racing crowds of the year.
“This race always has an incredible atmosphere and you can feel the energy as soon as you get to the track,” said Richards. “Having so many Metalcraft employees, SCAG dealers, and distributors with us this weekend makes it even more meaningful. Everybody at Metalcraft and SCAG puts so much into these race teams and we want to go out there and give them something to cheer about. Chicago is a big opportunity for our team and we’re excited to get after it.”
On-track action begins Friday with nitro qualifying sessions at 2:30 and 5 p.m. CT. Saturday will feature two more rounds of qualifying at noon and 2:30 p.m. CT, with the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge contested during both sessions. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.
The NHRA Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals will be broadcast on FS1, with qualifying coverage airing Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ET and Saturday from 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET. Eliminations coverage will air Sunday from 5-8 p.m. ET on FS1.
