JUSTIN ASHLEY MAKES EARLY EXIT AT MIDWEST NATIONALS
“This stretch of races was a great test for our team and we passed with flying colors,” said Ashley, the 2020 Rookie of the Year. “The first two races of the Countdown were relatively successful, going to a semi-final and final round. This weekend we exited early, but that’s racing. We have four more races and we will continue putting our best foot forward towards reaching our ultimate goal, a World Championship.”
Ashley had one of the most consistent race cars throughout qualifying, running in the mid-3.70s in every session. In the second session the 2020 Summernationals winner made the second quickest run and picked up two important bonus points. Heading into race day the driver from Plainview, New York, was the No. 7 qualifier and drew rookie of the year contender Josh Hart.
Justin Ashley, Smart Sanitizer Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot
Both Top Fuel dragsters took off together and Ashley’s Smart Sanitizer Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot was pulling away from Hart. The tune-up crew chief Mike Green was creating massive horsepower as Ashley charged towards the finish line in front of Hart. The race car drove into significant tire shake drifting out of the groove and as Ashley worked to correct the run his Goodyear slicks broke loose from the track. The move forced Ashley to lift off the throttle and opened the door for Hart to move around him for the win.
Over the weekend the Davis Motorsports team held their own and will head to the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex on the heels of four races in four weeks. This was the longest stretch for the young team led by Green and Davis to compete at the elite level. With four races left in the playoffs Ashley is in championship contention and has sponsors like Auto Shocker and KATO Fastening Systems geared up for an exciting conclusion to the season.
“We are going to look at how we performed in the four races in September and take all the positives into the final four races of the Countdown,” said Ashley. “We are going to three tracks where I have experience and one that will be new to me, Bristol, but this team is coming together at the perfect time.”
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.770 sec, 327.03 mph; Qual. 8
Q2: 3.740 sec., 327.11 mph; Qual. 5
Q3: 3.730 sec, 328.70 mph; Qual 7
Bonus Points: +2 (2nd quickest in Q2)
Race Results
First RoundDriver Qual R/T ET MPH
Justin Ashley 7 .063 4.091 216.03
Josh Hart 10 .058 3.758 326.95 (W)
Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown Top Ten - Top Fuel
1. Steve Torrence, 2373
2. Brittany Force, 2337
3. Billy Torrence, 2247
4. Mike Salinas, 2239
5. Justin Ashley, 2235
6. Leah Pruett, 2222
7. Antron Brown, 2188
8. Shawn Langdon, 2164
9. Clay Millican, 2157
10. Doug Kalitta, 2096
About Justin Ashley Racing
Justin Ashley Racing in partnership with Davis Motorsports fields the Smart Sanitizer Top Fuel dragster powered by Strutmasters.com in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. During his Top Fuel rookie season in 2020 Justin won the NHRA Summernationals, finished in the Top Ten and was recognized as the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year. Prior to his professional debut Ashley has three wins in Top Alcohol Dragster on the Lucas Oil Series. He is the son of multi-time NHRA national event winner Mike Ashley. In 2017, he was named to the Drag Illustrated magazine’s 30 under 30 list, highlighting some of racing’s most promising young individuals on and off the racetrack. When he’s not racing, Ashley serves as President of Ashley Developers, a real estate investment organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of distressed properties. To learn more about Justin Ashley Racing, visit JustinAshley.com.
