Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Pre-Race Report
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Event 9 of 21
Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 23 - 25, 2023
Top Fuel
JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster powered by Okuma
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; First round exit (defeated by Leah Pruett)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified fourth; Event champion (defeated Doug Foley in E1, Josh Hart in E2, Austin Prock in E3, Antron Brown in E4)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; four wins, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
63 races; nine wins, three No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Turned on every win light available, winning the rescheduled NHRA New England Nationals, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals over a three day stretch at Bristol Dragway during the most recent event on tour
Looking to make it three event wins in-a-row at Norwalk
Ashley’s successful Bristol outing allowed him to take over the Top Fuel points lead
Will participate in the Norwalk #2Fast2Tasty Challenge presented by Mission Foods on Saturday
Okuma will be recognized as an associate partner on Ashley’s machine this weekend. Many strategic engine and clutch components utilized on JCM Racing cars are made with Okuma CNC machines
Fan Events:
Saturday, 11 – 11:30 a.m., #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display
Quotable:JUSTIN ASHLEY: Driver of the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster powered by Okuma
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified second; First round exit (defeated by Leah Pruett)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified fourth; Event champion (defeated Doug Foley in E1, Josh Hart in E2, Austin Prock in E3, Antron Brown in E4)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; four wins, one No. 1 qualifier
Career Statistics:
63 races; nine wins, three No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Turned on every win light available, winning the rescheduled NHRA New England Nationals, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals over a three day stretch at Bristol Dragway during the most recent event on tour
Looking to make it three event wins in-a-row at Norwalk
Ashley’s successful Bristol outing allowed him to take over the Top Fuel points lead
Will participate in the Norwalk #2Fast2Tasty Challenge presented by Mission Foods on Saturday
Okuma will be recognized as an associate partner on Ashley’s machine this weekend. Many strategic engine and clutch components utilized on JCM Racing cars are made with Okuma CNC machines
Fan Events:
Saturday, 11 – 11:30 a.m., #2Fast2Tasty autograph session at the Mission Foods midway display
“We approach each race with a renewed mindset. Our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team accomplished something very special in Bristol. It was important for us to reflect, appreciate and value those victories. But our focus and attention has now shifted to Norwalk. The competition is going to be tough and many teams are hitting their stride. We’re excited for the challenge.
“Norwalk is an amazing facility and the Bader family does a tremendous job promoting NHRA and their national event. The stands are always packed with fans eager to watch racing. The full fields will make for an excellent show and varying conditions could create unpredictably. Our Phillips Connect team will be ready.
“Maynard Ashley Racing is focused on growth, stability, and bringing world-class results to our marketing partners both on and off the racetrack. You will start seeing more business-to-business elements coming together as the season progresses and Okuma is a great example of that. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Okuma and I can’t say how excited I am to be working with Joe, Cathi, Joe C. Maynard, and Eric and Kim Lehman.”
TONY SCHUMACHER: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel Dragster
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2007 event champion
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 14th; First round exit (defeated by Mike Salinas in E1)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified 10th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Dan Mercier in E1; defeated by Antron Brown in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
542 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Powered to a runner-up finish at the conclusion of the NHRA New England Nationals, contested in Bristol, Tenn. during the most recent event on tour
Schumacher raced to victory at the inaugural NHRA Norwalk Nationals in 2007 but has struggled to find the Norwalk winner’s circle since
SCAG executives Randy Gloede and Scott Schaefer experienced their first in-person NHRA race during the 2022 Norwalk event. Since that time, their involvement has expanded to become the primary partner on Schumacher and Tim Wilkerson’s machines, in addition to joining Erica Enders’ partner roster and being named NHRA’s official ‘outdoor power equipment provider’
Quotable:Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2007 event champion
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 14th; First round exit (defeated by Mike Salinas in E1)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified 10th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Dan Mercier in E1; defeated by Antron Brown in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
542 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Powered to a runner-up finish at the conclusion of the NHRA New England Nationals, contested in Bristol, Tenn. during the most recent event on tour
Schumacher raced to victory at the inaugural NHRA Norwalk Nationals in 2007 but has struggled to find the Norwalk winner’s circle since
SCAG executives Randy Gloede and Scott Schaefer experienced their first in-person NHRA race during the 2022 Norwalk event. Since that time, their involvement has expanded to become the primary partner on Schumacher and Tim Wilkerson’s machines, in addition to joining Erica Enders’ partner roster and being named NHRA’s official ‘outdoor power equipment provider’
“One year ago this weekend, Randy Gloede and Scott Schaefer of SCAG went to their first NHRA drag race. That was the first time they watched nitro cars go down the race track, and since then, the commitment they’ve made to this sport has just been absolutely incredible. We haven’t seen anyone take this great of a stake in a long, long time, and this has all been within one year’s time. Truly a blessing to have a sponsor that falls in love with the sport so hard, and we look forward to going out there this weekend and kicking some butt. Our SCAG Top Fuel dragster is starting to perform better, and hopefully we can make it a long race day this Sunday.”
Randy Gloede (middle) and Scott Schaefer (right) being interviewed at the 2022 NHRA Norwalk event
Funny Car
TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2010 event champion
2012 runner-up
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Matt Hagan in E1)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified sixth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Dale Creasy Jr. in E1; defeated by Chad Green in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; one win, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
578 races; 23 wins, 20 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Ohio-based Summit Racing Equipment has supported Wilkerson and his racing career for more than 15 years
Fan Events:
Wednesday, 4 – 7 p.m., Summit Racing driver meet-and-greet and car show at Summit Racing’s Ohio retail store (1200 Southeast Ave., Tallmadge)
Quotable:TIM WILKERSON: Driver of the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:
2010 event champion
2012 runner-up
2022 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Event Recap:
Qualified 12th; First round exit (defeated by Matt Hagan in E1)
Last Event (Bristol):
Qualified sixth; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Dale Creasy Jr. in E1; defeated by Chad Green in E2)
2023 Statistics:
Eight races; one win, one runner-up finish
Career Statistics:
578 races; 23 wins, 20 No. 1 qualifiers
Noteworthy:
Ohio-based Summit Racing Equipment has supported Wilkerson and his racing career for more than 15 years
Fan Events:
Wednesday, 4 – 7 p.m., Summit Racing driver meet-and-greet and car show at Summit Racing’s Ohio retail store (1200 Southeast Ave., Tallmadge)
“Really excited to get to Norwalk after winning our first race of the year for Summit in our SCAG/LRS Ford at Joliet. I had a couple of early exits at Epping and Bristol that I’m not real happy about so, looking for some revenge and some payback, and hopefully we can get that done this weekend.
"Had a great year there in Norwalk in 2010 when I won that race, and we’re pretty excited about getting back there for all of the Summit folks.”
About JCM Racing:
Established in 2022, JCM Racing is a multi-car NHRA team owned by Joe and Cathi Maynard, along with their partners Eric and Kim Lehman, all of Clarksville, Tenn.Headliners for the JCM Racing team are the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel dragster driven by Tony Schumacher, the SCAG Power Equipment/Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang Funny Car piloted by Tim Wilkerson, and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster campaigned by Justin Ashley. As an eight-time world champion and 86-time event winner, Schumacher is the most decorated Top Fuel driver in the history of the sport. Wilkerson is a 23-time Funny Car winner and an industry anomaly as he serves as both the driver and tuner of his 11,000-horsepower machine. While still considered a newcomer to the Camping World Series, Ashley, the 2020 Rookie of the Year recipient, has already earned a reputation as one of the best 'leavers' in the Top Fuel category. NHRA Hall of Famer Don Schumacher, father of Tony Schumacher, is a minority owner of the SCAG dragster, while Tim Wilkerson Racing (TWR) co-owns the SCAG/LRS Mustang with JCM Racing. The Maynard Ashley Racing (MAR) operation is co-owned by JCM Racing and Max Out Motorsports.
JCM Racing also operates a driver development program, which currently lends support to three entries in NHRA’s Sportsman categories. Wyatt Wagner competes in Super Stock, Kayleigh Hill is a Super Comp racer, and Waylon Bennett tears it up in the Jr. Drag Racing League. Through the driver development program, JCM offers young talent the opportunity to hone in and perfect their driving skills as they work toward a career competing in NHRA’s professional ranks.
For more information, visit @jcmnitro on Twitter and Instagram, @JCMNitro on Facebook, and JCMNitro.com.
